Consultancy for Urban Position Paper/Strategy tender at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflicts and disasters to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 cities in the United States, the IRC e improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power.

In Uganda the IRC is a lead responder to the humanitarian and development needs of refugees and host communities, providing quality client-centered, inclusive, and integrated health, livelihoods, protection, and education services that promote sustainability, resilience, peaceful co-existence, and strong partnerships. Operational since 1998—initially in response to the humanitarian crisis in Northern Uganda caused by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict—the IRC has since expanded its programming to deliver critical services for refugees and vulnerable Ugandans across the country.

In Kampala, the IRC and partners are implementing two projects namely the Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re: BUilD), a five-year urban livelihoods program now in the fifth year funded by the IKEA Foundation and implemented in Kampala and Nairobi cities. The IRC is the lead partner and has been coordinating a consortium of local and international partners to deliver the program interventions. Re: BUiLD seeks for urban refugees and vulnerable host residents to achieve economic self-reliance and benefit from strengthened urban economic, regulatory and social environments. The program aims to enable change at varying levels, from better access to livelihoods opportunities and inclusive services within communities, to improved refugee-related policies and more targeted and effective service delivery by national, regional and global actors. Re: BUilD’s adopts an integrated multi-stakeholder approach with three core pillars that complement each other:

1) Service Provision: delivering livelihoods services and community- and market-oriented interventions to 10,000 clients in low-income neighborhoods in Kampala.

2)Evidence and Learning: gathering evidence and learning through an iterative process of testing involving pilots, randomized control trials (RCTs), monitoring data, and other tailored methods that help build the picture of what works to improve urban refugee livelihoods; and

3)  Influence and Adoption: establishing a bold influencing agenda aimed at changing policies, practices, and investments at national, regional, and global levels by encouraging adoption of program evidence and learning.

Re: BUilD is committed to generating and sharing evidence for innovative, sustainable livelihood solutions that can be adopted to support refugees and host residents in East Africa and beyond.

‘Kulea Watoto’ – translated as ‘nurturing children’, the second of the IRC projects in Kampala, is an initiative aimed at improving early childhood development and transforming livelihoods of refugees and communities that host them in Uganda. The initiative provides nurturing care, early childhood learning opportunities, and support to target clients to build skills in generating income for their families. Kulea Watoto uses a unique two-generation integrated approach to reach children under five years of age and their caregivers in the districts of Yumbe, Kyegegwa and Kampala.

Kulea Watoto’s objective main objective is to improve access to quality early childhood development for children aged five years and under and transform livelihoods opportunities for refugees and host communities in Uganda through:

• Empowering households with responsive caregiving and early learning skills
• Improving the availability of quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) services.
• Advocating for an enabling environment for quality ECD service provision.

To achieve its objectives, Kulea Watoto offers learning sessions for parents and caregivers on responsive caregiving and provision of early learning opportunities, improved linkages to children’s services in local communities, livelihoods training, start-up funding for promising business ideas, among other interventions.   

Re: BUilD and Kulea Watoto are two of IRC’s ongoing projects in Kampala. The Livelihoods Resource Centre (LRC) in Nsambya plays an integral role in the development and   implementation of client-centred urban programming for the IRC in Kampala.  For instance, the LRC is the central location through which the IRC recruits’ clients, gets client feedback to inform programing, conducts livelihoods activities, engages stakeholders and showcases the impact of its work to donors, the government, clients and stakeholders vital for its operations.

Scope of the consultancy

The IRC has been implementing urban programs in Kampala since 2019.  Over the years there has been a change in context in urban refugee programming in the city, an increase in number of urban refugees and asylum seekers, a change in the donor/funding landscape, a continuing need for more awareness raising among key stakeholders on the refugee rights and the legal and policy regime and a furtherance of social cohesion activities for peaceful coexistence between refugees and hosts.

The consultant is expected to factor in these contextual developments to conduct comprehensive refugee livelihoods needs and context analysis to inform future direction of IRC urban programming in Kampala. The consultant will review IRC’s ongoing urban livelihood programs including Kulea Watoto, Re: BuiLD, Signpost to identify opportunities, gaps, and areas of synergy. Based on this analysis, the consultant will develop a position paper that will guide IRC’s urban strategy and the place of the Livelihood Resource Center (LRC) as a central facility for IRC urban programming and promotion of economic self-reliance among urban refugees and host communities.

Objective of the Assignment

1.) Review of IRC’s Urban Livelihood Programs

Analyze existing IRC urban programs to identify programming gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for better alignment. The review will aim to streamline linkages between programs, foster synergies, and propose strategies to increase resource utilization and impact.

2.) Conduct a Refugee Livelihood Needs Assessment

Engage urban refugee communities to identify their livelihood needs, barriers to integration into the local economy, and factors that would enhance their ability to access wage employment or start and sustain businesses within greater Kampala.

3.) Assess the Livelihood Resource Center (LRC)

Evaluate the current services and performance of the IRC’s Livelihood Resource Center, identifying opportunities to align its services with refugee needs and emerging opportunities. The consultant will propose strategic actions to elevate the LRC into a Center of Excellence for refugee livelihoods and climate-resilient economic empowerment.

4.) Review Partnership Models for Skills and Income Generation

Assess the implementation and impact of (Earn as You Learn / Skilling on the Go) model piloted by IRC. The consultant will provide recommendations for how this model can be integrated as a core strategy across all urban livelihood programming to improve income outcomes from both self- and wage-employment.

5.) Conduct Livelihood Opportunities Mapping

Identify marketable skills, sectors, and enterprise opportunities that are realistic and accessible for urban refugees and host community members. The goal is to inform targeted support interventions that promote self-reliance and financial independence.

6.) Develop a Position Paper for Urban Livelihood Programming

Based on the findings, draft a position paper that outlines strategic approaches, programming models, and recommendations to expand the scope, coordination, and impact of IRC’s urban livelihoods programming while amplifying the role and visibility of the LRC as a central delivery point.

Deliverables

• Inception Report and Urban Refugee Livelihoods Needs Assessment

A detailed inception report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, methodology, timeline, and execution plan including data collection tools, target respondents, thematic areas, and stakeholder engagement.

This will be followed by a comprehensive Urban Refugee Livelihoods Needs Assessment Report presenting findings on barriers, gaps, and opportunities for urban refugees and host communities in Kampala, with practical recommendations aligned to IRC’s five urban livelihood pillars.

• LRC Assessment and Strategic Framework

A standalone Assessment Report on the Livelihood Resource Center (LRC), covering its current services, capacity, performance, and visibility. This includes actionable recommendations to position the LRC as a Center of Excellence for refugee livelihoods and climate-resilient self-reliance.

Additionally, a detailed Strategic Framework and Plan will be developed, outlining both administrative and programmatic directions for the LRC, including service models, staffing, partnerships, sustainability, and monitoring mechanisms.

• Urban Program Integration and Skilling Review

A consolidated report reviewing IRC’s urban programs (Re: BUiLD , Kulea Watoto) to identify gaps, overlaps, and integration opportunities. It will also include an assessment of the “Pata Pesa Ukiwa Ujuzi” (Earn as You Learn / Skilling on the Go) model, with strategies for scaling and mainstreaming the methodology across urban livelihood initiatives to enhance income-generation and employment outcomes.

• Urban Livelihoods Position Paper and Final Presentation

A well-structured Position Paper outlining strategic direction, programming models, and coordination pathways to strengthen IRC’s urban livelihoods work while amplifying the visibility and role of the LRC.

A Final Consolidated Report integrating all findings and recommendations will also be delivered, alongside a presentation slide deck summarizing key insights for IRC’s Senior Management and technical teams.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to adopt a pragmatic approach in conducting the study and development of the position paper to minimize the significant waste of time in back-and-forth reviews. The methodology should highlight how each of the above components of the TOR will be addressed.

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 Urban Program Managers and Coordinators and will report to the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Coordinators throughout the course of the study. This ensures sufficient support for the successful execution of the key activities outlined below:

1.  Conducting a Needs Assessment for Urban Refugees
To identify the specific needs and challenges that urban refugees face to effectively exploit economic opportunities within the Kampala urban environment.

2.  Conducting economic opportunity assessment
To determine viable economic opportunities and potential business enterprises that urban refugees can pursue to improve their livelihoods and achieve financial self-reliance.

3.   Developing a position Paper on Urban Programming Strategy
To develop a detailed position paper outlining the strategic approach IRC should adopt for its urban programming, ensuring alignment, adaptation, and effective delivery of its urban programming goals.

Consultant qualification and experience

The consultant must demonstrate a strong understanding of refugee programming, expertise in conducting field studies, and experience in urban refugee programming. Additionally, the consultant should possess excellent report-writing and project-development skills.  

Confidentiality of Information

All materials, data, content and output associated with this assignment will be the property of IRC and will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate analysis. The respondents will not be quoted in the reports without their permission.

Assignment Timeline

This assignment will be delivered for a maximum of thirty working days with May- June 2025 from the time the contract is signed with the successful applicant. Actual timeline will 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 individuals should submit their expressions of interest to… 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.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.