VSF | DZG Belgium Terms of Reference for Consultant
Assessing pastoralist land use in Karamoja through Holistic Land & Livestock Management
Program: Karamoja Livestock Development Program 3
Result area: Enhanced sustainable management and peaceful sharing of natural resources
Donor: DGD – Belgian Development Cooperation
Objective of the study: The overall objective of the assignment is to assess the land use by pastoralists in Karamoja, including the changes it has undergone due to decades of insecurity and outside interventions, through the concept of Holistic Land & Livestock Management.
Expected starting date of the assignment: October 2015
Deadline for applications: 15 September 2015
1. Background information: VSF Belgium Uganda has been operating since 2007 in the Karamoja region of Uganda. Its areas of intervention focus on animal health, animal production and natural resources management (NRM). The current main program, Karamoja Livestock Development Program, is now in its third phase.
This program is implemented in partnership with Matheniko Development Forum (MADEFO) for Moroto District and Dodoth Agro-Pastoral Organization (DADO) for Kaabong District.
Agro-pastoralism is the main livelihood of Karamoja, a semi-arid region in the north east of Uganda.
The Karimojong pastoralists rely on subsistence agriculture and on mobile livestock production, migrating seasonally to find water and pasture for their livestock. This mobility is a key strategy of pastoralists, enabling them to adapt to climatic variability such as drought and erratic rainfall.
The region faces several challenges, such as land conflicts which limit pastoralists’ mobility, environmental degradation and high poverty rates. The interventions of VSF Belgium on NRM aim at peaceful and sustainable use of the available natural resources in this agro-pastoralist environment.
To improve the sustainability of the management of natural resources, VSF Belgium calls for a rangeland expert to conduct a study on Holistic Land & Livestock Management in Karamoja. The concept of Holistic Land & Livestock Management is increasingly being regarded as a useful tool to sustainable manage communal grazing lands.
It is an adaptation of the initial concept of Holistic Rangeland Management of Allan Savory, suited to meet the needs of pastoralists and farmers who herd their livestock on communal lands. The study will provide an assessment of the land use by pastoralists.
2. Objectives
The overall objective of the assignment is to acquire in depth knowledge on the use of land by pastoralists in Karamoja, including the changes it has undergone due to decades of insecurity and outside interventions, and to assess this land use through the concept of Holistic Land & Livestock Management.
This in depth knowledge will contribute to
(1) improved quality of natural resource management projects through a better understanding of pastoralists’ use and management of natural resources and to
(2) informed and sensitized local authorities on holistic land & livestock management to enable them to support sustainable management of rangeland by pastoralists.
3. Methodology
- Technical assessment of the ecological literacy: an understanding of the processes at work in this environment
- Collaboration with relevant local actors and communities for qualitative input
- Sensitization of local authorities on the linkage of HRM and pastoralism in Karamoja
- Maintain regular contact about the progress with VSF Belgium’s NRM officer (see below for reporting requirements)
4. Outputs
- Analysis of the “ecological literacy” of Karamoja (soil coverage, water…)
- Overview of current and traditional use of land by Karimojong pastoralists (use of grass and water, migration patterns…) and the rationale behind
- Assessment of land use by Karimojong pastoralist through the concept of Holistic Land & Livestock Management
- Recommendations to improve sustainable land management by Karimojong pastoralists
- Overview of crucial HRM indicators to measure ecological, social and financial changes in Karamoja region in an accessible and cost-effective way
- One day training for VSF Belgium staff and partners on HRM and findings
- One day training for district authorities on HRM and findings
5. Geographical area to be covered
Karamoja region with a focus on the (agro-) pastoralist zones of Kaabong and Moroto district.
6. Duration: Broadly speaking we expect the consultant to conclude the work in 2 weeks, give findings in a dissemination workshop and produce a final report in 2 weeks.
7. Expertise and qualifications required
- University degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Rural Development or related areas
- Degree in Holistic Rangeland Management
- Experience in Holistic Land and livestock management
- Demonstrated experience of working with pastoralists in the horn of Africa
- English essential, knowledge of Ngakarimojong desirable
8. Reporting requirements
The consultant will submit the following reports in English, both in soft and hard copy:
- Draft final report of maximum 20 pages (main text, excluding annexes). This report shall be submitted no later than 2 weeks after start of implementation of tasks.
- Final report, incorporating any comments received from the concerned parties on the dissemination workshop. The final report shall be provided by the latest 15 days after the reception of the comments on the draft final report. The detailed analyses which underlie the mission’s recommendations will be presented in annexes to the main report. The final report must be provided along with the corresponding invoice.
How to apply
Please send your proposal to uganda@vsf-belgium.org highlighting the following:
- A brief introduction of bidding firm or person attaching relevant CVs
- Your understanding of the Terms of Reference
- Proposed methodology and approach
- Proposed work plan and budget
- Your availability
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