Terms Of Reference: Livelihood Baseline Assessment: Harvesting Carbon Project Uganda At Solidaridad East & Central Africa

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Preamble

Solidaridad is an international network organisation with eight regional expertise centres worldwide. Its mission is to bring together commodity supply chain actors and to engage them to develop innovative solutions to improve production, thereby ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximises the benefit for all. Solidaridad strives to be an organisation that understands the signs of modern times, seeking to be a Civil Society Organization (CSO) with its own place and role in society, while simultaneously interacting with Governments and markets. With 50 years of experience Globally in facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chains, Solidaridad is a frontrunner in the area of sustainable economic development. Solidaridad envisions a world in which all we produce, and all we consume, can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other and the next generations. Solidaridad embraces the public-private and people partnerships (PPPP) in order to test innovations, speed up change, and take success to scale. Globally, Solidaridad works around coffee and other 12 commodities/sectors (http://www.solidaridadnetwork.org)

Program Summary

Solidaridad with support from the Danida Green Business Partnerships is implementing the Harvesting Carbon – Pioneering a pay-for-impact model for carbon mitigation and adaptation in coffee.

The project aims to create an industry-first ‘pay-for-impact’ model whereby carbon ‘impact units’ (verified scope 3 reductions) are produced and traded alongside agricultural commodities, creating a scalable market-based solution to environmental challenges. 4,500 farmers (male, female, youth farmers and working wives) will be supported to transition to low-carbon and regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, climate smart agricultural practices, and be ensured compliance to new EU regulations, thus improving and diversifying market access and improved livelihoods for farmers.

The project will make substantial contributions towards poverty reduction through improved incomes and livelihoods for farmers, climate change adaptation and resilience especially for vulnerable groups of farmers, transfer of knowledge and skills from world class institutions to local farmers, an increase in access to international markets, diversifying income streams and earning foreign exchange for Uganda, innovation in the sustainable management of farmlands, reducing deforestation and biodiversity loss, and more.

Project Outcomes

1. A scalable market-based solution for scope 3 emissions reductions at farm level created.
2. 4,500 Ugandan farmers with increased resilience to climate & improved livelihoods.
3. 26,000 mtCO 2eq are removed/reduced; benefits of wide-scale biochar use are proven.
4. 4,500 farmers certified by Rainforest Alliance and LDC’s RSP assuring access to the EU market.

Background

The climate crisis is without doubt the biggest challenge facing humanity this century. Global warming is progressing faster than we feared and record-breaking temperatures are coming thick and fast. Smallholder farmers in developing countries have to contend with droughts and heavy rainfall, with devastating consequences for crop yields. The increasingly severe consequences of climate change will hit smallholder farmers hardest. Farmers in low and middle income countries feel the effects of the climate crisis first-hand – longer periods of drought, more extreme weather and food shortages and to make matters worse they do not even have the means to adapt to them. Of the more than 500 million smallholder farmers who play a major part in our food system, the vast majority live in poverty. As long as smallholder farmers remain dependent on the low prices they receive for their main crops, they will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Climate change increases hunger and food scarcity. The amount of land suitable for agriculture is decreasing, reducing the area of land available for the cultivation of crops and driving farmers onto other land, which often involves deforestation. Agricultural production must be transformed to mitigate climate change and become more resilient to the consequences. Only then can we safeguard the long-term supply of food for ourselves and for the millions of people in developing countries. Women and youth provide a significant labour force across most agricultural value chains coffee inclusive. Increasing their knowledge and skills in good agricultural practices or climate smart agriculture can be a significant force in sustainable agriculture however, they may not have the motivation to put the skills into practice as they most cases do not get the proceeds from the land usage nor do they make decisions on the income. Women too engage on the land for most of their reproductive roles such as growing subsistence food crops, and cooking using mostly firewood. These engagements no doubt compromise the quality of the land overtime and therefore the need to collaborate with women in securing the land through regenerative agricultural practices and interventions like Good Agricultural Practices,agroforestry practices and climate smart agriculture.Green farming systems not only have climate benefits, but farmers profit from it as well, increased protection against drought, extreme rainfall, and rising temperatures. In addition, communities need to be sensitised to ensure small holder farmers continue to contribute to carbon emission reductions so that they can benefit from the land usage so that they are motivated to adopt best practices aimed at sustainable land management and income generation from sale of carbon credits.

Purpose of the Livelihoods Baseline Assessment

The Baseline Assessment will provide information on the existing socio-economic situation of smallholder coffee farmers who will be part of the Harvesting Carbon Project. The primary purpose of the baseline assessment is to serve as the reference point for assessing future changes and impacts resulting from project interventions in the aspect of livelihood but also note out salient areas of implementation improvement based on the current theory of change .

Objective of the study

The objective of the study is to conduct research that adequately responds to the following questions based on the contextual realities among the smallholder Coffee farmers in Uganda and provide information to the target beneficiaries as per the indicators of project objectives and expected results specified in the project results framework. This will enable project indicators at output and goal/outcome level to be measured and tracked.

To examine;

• The prevailing average coffee yields per hectare for participating farms.
• The prevailing average coffee quality percentage for participating farmers.
• The prevailing income levels of farming households.
• The current efficiency in percentage on the use of water, energy, materials and/or natural resources.
• Number of farmers using Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Climate Smart Agriculture practices including integrated pest and disease control as well as farm rejuvenation practices such as desuckering, pruning, planting density,soil and water conservation etc)
• Hectares under sustainable management ( such as retaining water and soil conservation measures etc)
• The certification status of the farmers under Rainforest
• To establish the current green coffee sourced from farmers that is EUDR compliant.

Methodology

The methodology for this assessment will include both direct and indirect data collection, analysis and cross-referencing, from primary and secondary sources (reports and publications),and formulating recommendations thematically and as area/site-specific to adequately meet the objectives of the survey. The consultant is expected to come up with relevant and standard qualitative and quantitative methodologies that will generate the highest quality and most credible evidence. The commissioned consultant is expected to develop relevant tools to conduct a baseline study for the indicators listed in the logframe (to be provided before inception meeting) and to provide sex, age, and disability disaggregated baseline data to track progress throughout the programme and measure gradual achievement of the indicators.

The consultant(s) should propose appropriate sampling techniques and set an appropriate sample size based on the numbers outlined in the target group chapter. Questions in the baseline survey must provide answers to all programme indicators. The methodology is expected to be developed further during the inception phase and shared with the Solidaridad team for review and approval.

The methodology used during this survey will overall, include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Review existing relevant secondary information and reports related to the Uganda coffee value chains.
2. Review of previous Solidaridad related programme level documents and reports.
3. Discuss with key implementing Solidaridad staff Office and field implementation levels and Key Implementing Partners (KIPs) and Local Government stakeholders.
4. Carry out field visits in the implementation areas for data collection, observations, and triangulation.
5. Hold community-level participatory meetings and focused group discussions for data collection and information gathering. Carry our Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focused Group Discussion (FGDs) shall be utilised.
6. Data collection will also entail analysis of climate risks and vulnerability where both secondary data and primary data through qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be done.
7. Special emphasis will be put on disaggregating data for women and youth for the various study objectives.
8. Use of data from local institutions or organisations.
9. Data analysis and verification of analysed data.

Geographical area and Stakeholders’ scope

The Livelihood Baseline studies will be carried out in Uganda within specific communities agreed upon during the inception phase. The stakeholders and actors in the respective industry will be the primary target with specifics agreed upon during the inception phase meeting.

Study area: Uganda (Central and South-West regions).

Expected Deliverables:

The Consultant should deliver the following:

1. Work plan and expression of interest (EOI) for the survey, outlining;

• A detailed methodology for implementation of the survey, including proposed sample sizes.
• Draft data collection tools (The Consultant shall refine proposed standard indicators in reference to the proposed programme indicators and other guidelines provided by Solidaridad)
• A detailed work plan for the survey.

1. Inception Report: which covers the entire process of the preparation phase as per Solidaridad standard/template which will be provided on demand.
2. Draft Report: A draft report on the survey, present to key staff of Solidaridad and partners of initial findings. The consultant will address the feedback from Solidaridad and partners involved.
3. Presentation on the main findings of the study for validation involving project teams, and other stakeholders as agreed with the project team.
4. Final Report: in English incorporating all the comments received from Solidaridad staff and
5. Raw Data that will be delivered to our KOBO server, and Study Resources: The consultant should annex any relevant documents related to the assessment. He/she will also submit raw data of the assessment to Solidaridad. The consultant should respect the property right of all primary data/information generated as a result of this survey.
6. Any relevant documents related to the assignment should be annexed, and raw data of the assessment should also be submitted to Solidaridad.

Experts/Consultant’s Profile

Consultancy firms/companies with verifiable research work in the coffee sector and who fulfil the following requirements are encouraged to express their interests.

• Relevant degree(s) in Agricultural Economics or Agricultural Research.
• Strong experience with and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and sampling strategies
• Experience in designing and conducting studies using experimental or quasi experimental techniques.
• Statistical analysis skills and strong proficiency with data analysis packages.
• Proven experience in conducting research in the East African coffee industry policy, regulatory and legislative frameworks.
• Research experience with coffee farmers is an added advantage
• Excellent communication and written skills in English and local languages
• Demonstrated experience in analytical research in the fields of policy, industry, agriculture and environment.

Consultancy Period

The overall period of the survey will be done not exceeding 30 calendar days after contracting, which will include inception meetings, finalising the survey methodology, training of enumerators, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and presenting findings of the survey.

How to apply

Consultancy Period

The overall period of the survey will be done not exceeding 30 calendar days after contracting, which will include inception meetings, finalising the survey methodology, training of enumerators, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and presenting findings of the survey.

Application process

Applications should be submitted by 31/05/2024 . Solidaridad is an equal opportunity employer.

Submissions are by email to procurement.eca@solidaridadnetwork.org while addressed to:

Note: Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification and the only successful candidates will be contacted.

Attn: Managing Director

Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa Expertise Centre

Kilimani Business Centre, Kirichwa Road,

P.O. Box 42234 – 00100 GPO

Nairobi