IRC: Consultancy to develop to Develop a Climate Smart Urban Agriculture Strategy for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) – Kampala

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world”s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world”s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you”re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

In Kampala, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with multiple stakeholders, including the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is implementing the Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:BUiLD) program, funded by the IKEA Foundation. The IRC serves as the lead partner, coordinating a consortium of local and international organizations to deliver program interventions. Re:BUiLD aims to support urban refugees and vulnerable host community members to achieve economic self-reliance and to benefit from strengthened urban economic, regulatory, and social environments. Additionally, the program seeks to catalyze change at multiple levels, ranging from improved access to livelihood opportunities and inclusive services at the community level, to enhanced refugee-related policies and more targeted and effective service delivery by national, regional, and global actors.

Climate‑resilient livelihoods, including climate‑smart urban farming, provide important economic opportunities for urban refugees and vulnerable host community members. The Kampala Capital City Strategic Plan (FY 2025/26–2029/30) recognizes refugees, women, and youth as those most affected by urban poverty, unemployment, informality, and unequal access to services, making them particularly vulnerable to economic shocks. Climate‑resililient economic initiatives therefore present a viable pathway for improving their livelihoods, for example through urban farming, which involves growing of plants, raising of animals, processing and marketing within and around the city, in a unique way that links the economic and ecological system of a city.

Scope of the consultancy

In response to this gap, the consultancy will undertake a city‑wide assessment covering the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) to develop a climate‑resilient strategy, with particular emphasis on Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Smart Food Systems and briquette production. The consultant will review and analyze the KCCA Strategic Plan, the Climate Change Action Strategy, and other relevant policies, frameworks, and practices, including those of local governments within the GKMA. Based on this analysis, the consultant will provide concrete, actionable recommendations to enhance production and increase incomes for vulnerable groups through engagement in climate‑resilient livelihood initiatives, formalization, value addition and access to markets. The consultancy will also:

• Integrate climate adaptation and mitigation principles into urban agriculture planning and practice;
• Promote inclusive and equitable access to urban farming opportunities for refugees and host communities, with attention to women and youth participation.
• Aligns with KCCA institutional structures, relevant national policies, and refugee protection and inclusion frameworks; and
• Provide clear guidance for implementation and resource mobilization

Objective of the Assignment

1. Policy and Context Review

• Review national, municipal, and sectoral policies related to climate resilience livelihoods, urban agriculture, climate change & refugees’ livelihoods identify policy gaps and provide recommendations on strengthening of existing policy frameworks or formulation of new policies
• Assess how current frameworks enable or constrain refugee and women participation in urban agriculture.

2. Urban Agriculture and Climate Risk Assessment

• Map existing urban agriculture practices, value chains, and actors in Kampala.
• Analyze climate risks (e.g. flooding, unpredictable rainfall, heat, water scarcity) and their impact on urban farming systems.

3. Refugee and Host Community Needs Assessment

• Assess livelihood needs, capacities, and constraints of refugees and host communities related to urban agriculture.
• Identify gender‑specific, protection‑related, and documentation‑related barriers.
• Assess urban refugee food security vulnerability and coping mechanism

4. Stakeholder Mapping and Institutional Analysis

• Map key stakeholders including KCCA departments, OPM, UNHCR, NGOs, private sector, community groups, and refugee‑led organizations.
• Assess institutional roles, coordination mechanisms, and capacity gaps.

5. Identification of climate resilient livelihood models and smart climate agriculture practices/modes suitable for urban vulnerable hosts and urban refugees

• Identify and assess feasible approaches/models such as rooftop gardening, vertical farming, sack gardens, poultry farming, wastewater reuse, and circular economy practices.
• Identify and assess feasible climate smart livelihood models such as black soldier fly farming, briquette production and mushroom growing.
• Evaluate scalability, sustainability, and inclusion potential.

Deliverables

1. Inception Report

The consultant will submit an Inception Report within two weeks of the assignment, clearly outlining their understanding and operational approach to the consultancy. The report shall include:

• A refined methodological framework detailing research design, data collection methods, analysis approaches, and quality assurance measures
• A comprehensive work plan and timeline, indicating key milestones, deliverable submission dates, and validation points
• A stakeholder engagement and consultation plan, identifying relevant KCCA departments, national institutions, refugee‑ and host‑community groups, private sector actors, and development partners
• Proposed data collection tools (e.g. interview guides, FGD tools, survey instruments) and ethical considerations, including inclusion of refugees and vulnerable groups

The Inception Report will be subject to review and approval by KCCA before commencement of field activities.

2. Assessment Report

The consultant will produce a consolidated Assessment Report that presents evidence and analysis to inform the strategy. The report shall include:

• Review of relevant policies, laws, and institutional frameworks related to urban agriculture, climate change, urban planning, and refugee inclusion
• Analysis of climate risks and vulnerabilities affecting urban agriculture in Kampala, including flooding, heat stress, water scarcity, and environmental degradation
• Mapping of existing urban agriculture practices, value chains, and actors across Kampala’s five divisions
• Findings from community consultations with refugees and host communities, highlighting needs, barriers, capacities, gender dimensions, and protection considerations
• Identification of opportunities for scaling Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Smart Food Systems models suitable for Kampala’s urban context

The report should present clear, evidence‑based findings and preliminary recommendations to guide strategy development

3. Draft climate resilience and climate smart agriculture strategy

Based on the assessment findings, the consultant will develop and submit a Draft climate resilience and climate smart agriculture strategy for the Greater Kampala for validation and feedback from stakeholders.

4. Final Climate resilience livelihoods and climate smart urban agriculture strategy for KCCA

The consultant will submit strategy incorporating feedback from the validation processes.

5. Presentation of key recommendations

The consultant will prepare and submit:

• A presentation slide deck summarizing key findings, strategic priorities, and implementation recommendations for presentation to KCCA leadership and stakeholders
• A concise policy brief (3–5 pages) targeting senior decision‑makers, summarizing:

1. The rationale for climate resilient livelihoods and climate smart urban farming

2. Key risks and opportunities

3. Strategic recommendations and investment priorities

These products should be clear, visually engaging, and accessible to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to use a participatory and mixed‑methods approach, including conducting desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (refugees and host communities), field observations and Stakeholder validation workshops

Budget

The consultant will be expected to present a budget covering both professional fees and field expenses.

Consultant Responsibilities and Reporting Structure

The consultant will collaborate with the KCCA (lead agency) and the Agriculture and Agribusiness Manager KCCA and liaise with the IRC Re:BUiLD Senior Program Manager and the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) coordinator throughout the development of the strategic. This will ensure sufficient support for the successful execution of the key activities outlined below:

Consultant qualification and experience

The consultant or consulting firm should demonstrate advanced qualifications in urban planning, agriculture, climate change, environmental management, or related fields, with proven experience in urban agriculture and climate‑smart programming. The assignment requires demonstrated expertise in refugee inclusion, livelihoods development, and urban displacement contexts, as well as strong facilitation, analytical, and report‑writing skills. Prior experience working with local governments or municipal authorities will be considered a strong added advantage.

Confidentiality of Information

All materials, data, content and output associated with this assignment will be the property of IRC and KCCA and will be treated as confidential. Information gathered shall not be shared without prior written consent.

Assignment Timeline

This assignment will be delivered for a maximum of forty working days from the time the contract is signed with the successful applicant. Actual timeline may be developed after discussion with the selected individual or institution. Applicants are highly encouraged to confirm immediate availability in their applications.

How to Apply

Qualified consultants or firms should submit their expressions of interest to (IRC Uganda Supply Chain/HR) in no more than 5 Pages for the technical proposal excluding annexes to IRC covering the following areas:

• Understanding or interpretation of the assignment and the proposed delivery methodology including the work plan.
• Relevant skills and experience in delivering similar assignments including summarized CVs of the technical personnel and similar assignments undertaken with referees which should be shared as annexes.
• Previous experience in undertaking similar work (annex two reports successfully completed in the last five years).
• Financial proposal with daily costs and total costs for the assignment.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

NB: This advert will close on 8-Jun-2026.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.