Job Title: Terms of Reference (ToR): Consultant for Baseline Study for the IMPACT Project
Organisation: Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (JGI-Uganda)
Project: Integrated Mechanisms for Protection and Adaptation to Climate Threats (IMPACT)
Implementing Partner: The Jane Goodall Institute – Uganda
Funded by: Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK)
Location: River Nkusi Catchment (Kagadi and Kikuube Districts, Uganda), covering five sub-catchments: Nyakatete, Mabolya, Middle Nkusi, Lower Nkusi, and Mutungulu.
Duration: 35 working days
Reporting To: IMPACT Project Manager
Background:
The Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (JGI-Uganda) is implementing a five-year project titled “Integrated Mechanisms for Protection and Adaptation to Climate Threats (IMPACT)”, aimed at enhancing ecosystem and community resilience to climate change in the River Nkusi Catchment. The project applies an Ecosystem- based Adaptation (EbA) approach to address degradation, water scarcity, unsustainable land use, and community vulnerability through interventions in reforestation, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, alternative energy, and improved water access.
To enable effective monitoring and learning, a baseline study is required at project inception to establish benchmark values for indicators defined in the project’s results framework. These baseline values will inform progress tracking, adaptive management, and future impact evaluations.
Objective of the Assignment
The main objective of this baseline study is to establish pre-intervention values for all relevant indicators in the IMPACT project log frame, covering environmental, socio-economic, and institutional dimensions. The study will generate quantitative and qualitative data to serve as a reference point for the mid-term and end-of- project evaluations.
Specific objectives are to:
- Establish baseline values exclusively for indicators marked ‘zero’ or ‘no data’ in the project log frame, prioritizing those critical for measuring progress toward Outcomes 1 and 2 (ecosystem restoration and community resilience).
- Provide gender-disaggregated and spatially representative data aligned with the target subcatchments.
- Document the initial status of forests, wetlands, water sources, and governance structures relevant to the project.
- Compile a baseline indicator matrix with source references and recommended means of verification.
Scope of Work
Geographic Focus: The study will prioritize the following sub-counties:
- Kagadi District: Kicucura, Kiranga, Paacwa TC, Kinyarugonjo, Burora, Rugashari, Rugashari TC, Buhumuriro, and Mpeefu.
- Kikuube District: Kyangwali and Kabwoya.
The consultant will carry out the following tasks:
- Review key documents including the project proposal, logframe, catchment management plan, and related government strategies, to extract existing baseline values and avoid redundant data collection.
- Develop a detailed inception report outlining methodology, sampling framework, and data collection tools.
- Design and implement quantitative household surveys to capture indicators related to household income sources, energy use, crop yields, food security, and climate knowledge.
- Conduct qualitative data collection through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with community leaders, local government staff, and existing governance committees.
- Use secondary data and participatory tools to assess the initial condition of ecosystem features targeted by the project (e.g., land use types, degradation status).
- Analyse data, disaggregate by gender, age, and district, and populate a baseline matrix.
- Facilitate one validation workshop with stakeholders to review and refine findings.
- Strictly limited to pre-intervention benchmarks: The study must not assess interventions, future projections, or livelihood potential, as these fall outside the baseline’s scope and budget.
Methodology
The baseline study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining structured household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and document review. The sampling strategy must ensure representation across the five target sub-catchments (Nyakatete, Mabolya, Middle Nkusi, Lower Nkusi, and Mutungulu) and priority sub-counties, with stratification by gender and vulnerability status.
Ethical research standards, including informed consent and confidentiality, must be upheld throughout the assignment.
Qualitative methods (FGDs/KIIs) will only be used to triangulate or contextualize quantitative findings or where logframe indicators require narrative data (e.g., governance functionality).
Deliverables
- Inception report including methodology, tools, and sampling plan
- Validated data collection tools
- Clean datasets and data analysis outputs
- Baseline indicator matrix aligned with the logframe. The baseline indicator matrix will list only logframe indicators (no ad-hoc additions), and Include precise baseline values, data sources, and methods for future verification.
- Draft baseline report
- Stakeholder validation workshop report
- Final baseline report incorporating feedback and with annexes (data tools, maps, photos, codebook)
Consultant Qualifications
- Advanced degree in environmental science, natural resource management, social sciences, or related fields
- At least 7 years of experience conducting baseline studies in multi-sectoral rural development or climate adaptation projects
- Strong experience in data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
- Familiarity with Uganda’s Albertine Rift context and local languages is an advantage
Timeframe
The assignment will be completed within 35 working days starting from the date of signing the contract agreement.
Reporting and Management
The consultant will report to the IMPACT Project Manager and work in close coordination with the project’s M&E Officer. Technical inputs may also be provided by the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Albert Water Management Zone, as well as respective district local governments.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be scored as follows:
| Criteria | Weight | Sub-Criteria |
| Technical Competence | 70% | • Methodology (30%)
• Team experience (25%) • Work plan (15%) |
| Financial Proposal | 30% | • Cost-effectiveness (20%)
• Budget clarity (10%) |
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview or asked to refine their methodology prior to final selection.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit:
- A technical proposal (max 20 pages) including methodology, timeline, and understanding of the ToR
- A financial proposal (in UGX) with a breakdown of costs
- CV(s) of lead consultant and team
- Two references and samples of recent similar work
All proposals should be submitted by June 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM EAT to bakello@janegoodall.org with subject line: “Baseline Study Proposal – IMPACT Project.” Late submissions will not be considered.
Clarification requests may be sent to the same email by June 16, 2025.
Deadline: 18th June 2025 by 5pm