Overview of CSJ Program
Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK's International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A - Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services.  Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.  

The constraints SHFs face in improving agricultural productivity and income levels include limited access to inputs for crops and livestock, poor soil and water management, limited access to an efficient distribution model for climate-resilient varieties, limited access to affordable extension services for both livestock and crop, weak engagement between Private Sector Actors (PSAs) and research institutions, high incidence of pests/parasites and diseases for crops and livestock, uncertainty in seasonality (unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spell, spatial distribution of rainfall), limited access to affordable on-farm mechanisation services, and weak market access and value addition.  

CSJ intends to work with market actors to trigger change in the market system in a way that enables SHFs to gain increased access to affordable, quality input products and services, in turn increasing their incomes and ability to adapt and become resilient to the effect of climate change.

This TOR focuses on the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) to conduct a market scan including research on policies and regulations pertaining water extraction for irrigation in Uganda’s water bodies, map water sources in priority districts of Northern Uganda, and assess what this means for private sector investment in irrigation for agriculture/agroforestry.

Background to the Assignment
With the increasing impact of climate variability on smallholder farming, sustainable irrigation solutions are essential in Northern Uganda. Water scarcity, lack of hydrological data, and gaps in legal and regulatory compliance pose challenges for scalable irrigation initiatives. This assignment aims to bridge these gaps by conducting a thorough market scan and feasibility assessment to support irrigation uptake in the region. The consultant will evaluate the scalability of irrigation potential in CSJ operational areas by analyzing legal frameworks governing water extraction for both commercial and smallholder farmers (SHFs), outlining the licensing processes and associated costs for SHFs, and mapping key stakeholders in irrigation service provision.

Objectives of the Assignment
CSJ requires the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Consultant to provide technical expertise and guidance to:

• Conduct a Rapid Desk Study to map the water sources available for irrigation in Northern Uganda, addressing questions such as:
  
  - what areas/locations should CSJ target with its work?
  - what is the replenishment ability of those water sources during the hotter dry spells?
  - how are we using these water sources in view of their future availability?
• Develop an accessible step-by-step guide about how smallholder farmers can access water for irrigation from different sources e.g., from swamps, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, drilling boreholes, etc, in view of the regulations and market dynamics.
• In-depth mapping of key stakeholders in the irrigation sector in Northern Uganda including government, private sector donor-funded initiatives etc. to understand who is doing what, what are the challenges and what can CSJ Copy.

Scope of Work

The preferred Consultant will deliver the following responsibilities:

• Rapid Desk Review of water availability in Northern Uganda & sustainability during long and hotter dry spells:
  - Map and evaluate water sources in Northern Uganda (e.g., River Nile, lakes, tributaries, groundwater etc.) for irrigation potential.
  - Analyze seasonal variability and long-term sustainability.
  - Identify risks of water scarcity and over-extraction across different locations.
• Map existing actors in the irrigation space in Northern Uganda:
  - Identify and map key players in the irrigation ecosystem in Northern Uganda, including currently practicing smallholder and large-scale farmers, private sector service providers, government agencies, and donor-funded initiatives.
  - Highlight the key roles each player is playing in the market.
  - Highlight the gaps in their activities and make recommendations to CSJ.
• Develop a step-by-step process for specific farmers to access water for irrigation.
  - Analyze water regulations governing irrigation in Uganda, including permits, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, and legal obligations.
  - Outline registration/licensing requirements, processes and costs for both smallholder and large-scale farmers.
  - Develop a step-by-step process from the regulatory perspective on how farmers can access water for irrigation from different sources i.e. specific guidance for different categories of farmers who want to extract water from swamps, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, drill a borehole etc., in reference to government of Uganda regulations.
  

Deliverables
The Consultant will deliver the following in execution of the Scope of Work:

• Inception Report
• Draft Report (Word and PPT)
• PowerPoint Presentation of Draft Report – A concise summary of key findings, presented to CSJ team.
• Final Report
• Final PowerPoint Presentation to CSJ Team Summarizing final findings and recommendations.
• Annexes – Any data collected, List of stakeholder actors mapped, references, and supporting documents as necessary (excluded from the page count).
  

Assignment Timeline 

Required Competencies
The preferred candidate will exhibit the following competencies:

• Achieve Results: Sets and aligns challenging, achievable objectives in performance of tasks having lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: Create opportunities to help teams expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
  Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: Politically savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion wider collaboration.
  
  

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in Water Resource Management / Sociohydrology / Water   Engineering, Agricultural Economics / Environmental Science, or related field.
  

Other experience:

• Proven expertise in irrigation systems, agriculture economics, or water resource management.
• Experience in legal/regulatory analysis in Uganda’s water and agriculture sectors.
• Strong analytical skills and prior experience with market research and ROI modeling.
• Familiarity with Northern Uganda’s agricultural landscape is a plus.
  
  Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.