Terms of reference to document local and indigenous knowledge systems that support Anticipatory Action and Early Warning in the Acholi and Karamoja regions tender job at Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)

Terms of reference to document local and indigenous knowledge systems that support Anticipatory Action and Early Warning in the Acholi and Karamoja regions, to inform the development of contingency plans and district climate action plans

Project: Strengthening Community-Based Climate Adaptation in Uganda and South Sudan (STRENGTH) project.

Funding partner. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA)

1.0.Background
The STRENGTH project is a two-and-a-half-year initiative supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) and is being implemented through a Consortium led by ADRA Denmark, in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and the Danish Family Planning Association. The project, in Uganda is implemented by ADRA Uganda as the lead implementing partner and Reproductive Health Uganda as part of a wider Uganda-South Sudan Consortium.

This project is being implemented in Uganda’s Acholi (Kitgum and Lamwo) and Karamoja (Kaabong and Karenga) districts with the aims to reduce climate-related loss of livelihoods and natural resources, while helping prevent conflict and displacement linked to competition over land, water and pasture with three outcome areas including; preparedness and anticipatory actions; climate-smart livelihoods and conflictsensitive natural resource management; and women’s empowerment, SRHR/gender equality and inclusive decision-making.

As part of the project, ADRA Uganda is supporting local governments in the Karamoja and Acholi subregions to develop contingency plans and implement several climate actions, while also collaborating with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) to develop District Climate Action Plans (DCAPs) in the same regions. During initial engagements, it was noted that indigenous and local knowledge could meaningfully inform planning processes related to climate action, anticipatory action, and early warning systems.

ADRA Uganda therefore seeks to conduct a mapping, analysis, and documentation of local and indigenous knowledge systems that support Anticipatory Action and early warning in the Acholi and Karamoja regions, to inform the development of contingency plans and district climate action plans.

2.0.Purpose of the assignment:
To conduct a systematic mapping, analysis, and documentation of local and indigenous knowledge systems that support Anticipatory Action and early warning in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions, in order to generate evidence and insights that will inform the development of local governments contingency plans, implement climate actions and District Climate Action Plans (DCAPs). The findings will enable ADRA Uganda and its partners to integrate community-based knowledge into formal planning processes to strengthen locally grounded, contextspecific approaches to climate action, disaster preparedness, and early warning within the STRENGTH project target districts of Karenga, Kaabong, Kitgum, and Lamwo.

3.0.Objectives

1. To identify, map, and document existing local and indigenous knowledge systems, practices, and indicators used by communities in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions for early warning and Anticipatory Action.
2. To analyze the relevance, effectiveness, and applicability of documented indigenous knowledge systems in informing local governments contingency plans and District Climate Action Plans (DCAPs).
3. To assess the integration pathways and gaps between community-based indigenous knowledge and formal early warning systems, climate information services, and government planning structures in the target districts.
4. To document gender-differentiated roles, perspectives, and knowledge within indigenous and local knowledge systems, ensuring that the voices of women, youth, and marginalized groups are captured and reflected in the findings.
5. To develop a repository of documented local and indigenous knowledge, including a synthesis report with actionable recommendations for integrating this knowledge into contingency planning and climate action planning processes.
6. To propose a framework or mechanism for the continuous capture, validation, and use of indigenous and local knowledge within formal disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation planning at the district level.

4.0.Scope of Work and Activities
The consultant will therefore be responsible for undertaking the following scope of work and activities,

Objective 1: Identification, Mapping, and Documentation of Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Objective 2: Analysis of Relevance and Applicability
Objective 3: Assessment of Integration Pathways and Gaps
Objective 4: Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis
Objective 5: Development of a Knowledge Repository and Synthesis Report
Objective 6: Framework for Continuous Capture, Validation, and Use

Cross-Cutting Activities

• Develop and submit an inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, data collection tools, and team composition for approval by ADRA Uganda prior to commencement of fieldwork.
• Conduct a validation workshop with key stakeholders (district local governments, RHU, community representatives, and project team) to present and validate findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Submit a draft report for review, incorporate feedback, and deliver final versions of all deliverables to the Project Manager in both electronic and print formats as required.
• Coordinate closely with ADRA Uganda project team throughout the assignment to ensure alignment with project objectives and ongoing planning processes.

5.0.Deliverables and Outputs

1. Inception Report (IR) – 2–3 pages detailing methodology, data collection plan, sampling, tools, timeline, and risk mitigation.
2. Final Report: Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Climate Action / Anticipatory action and Early Warning in Acholi and Karamoja, Uganda. 35–50 pages
3. Summary Note and Presentations – 1 briefing note for ADRA Uganda and local government leaders and a 15–20 slide presentation for stakeholder dissemination.

6.0.Timeline and Schedule (1^st July to 20^th August, 2026)

• Week 1 and 2 (after signature of the MOU). Inception Report; stakeholder mapping; approval of IR by ADRA
• Week 3, 4 and 5. Field data collection – community consultations and participatory assessments in Districts
• Week 6: Data analysis, validation with field teams.
• Week 7: Finalize the report; submission of deliverables; stakeholder presentations and debrief.

7.0.Geographic Scope
Uganda, Acholi sub-region (Kitgum and Lamwo) and Karamoja sub-region (Kaabong and Karenga)

8.0.Expertise and Qualifications

• Relevant academic qualifications in environmental sciences, global development, development studies, anthropology, indigenous studies, climate change adaptation, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in participatory research methods, community engagement, and ethnographic studies related to climate change
• Strong understanding of climate change impacts, anticipatory action, disaster risk reduction, and early warning systems at local and regional levels.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate indigenous and local knowledge into formal documentation for planning purposes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, government agencies, and development partners.
• Prior experience working in the Acholi and/or Karamoja regions is highly desirable.

10. Logistics and Support

• Location: Fieldwork in Acholi and Karamoja; and other areas where key stakeholders might be located.
• Team Composition: One – two lead consultant (s), supported by a field enumerator(s) and a parttime data analyst (if needed).
• Coordination: Regular communication with ADRA Uganda STRENGTH project team; share drafts for feedback; ensure alignment with project guidelines.
• Logistics: The required logistics to be included in the proposal from the candidates.

11. Reporting and Accountability

• The consultant will report to ADRA Uganda’s STRENGTH Project Manager.
• Deliverables will be reviewed for quality, evidence base, and alignment with STRENGTH project objectives.
• All outputs will be property of ADRA Uganda and STRENGTH project consortium;

12. Budget and Payment

• Please provide a proposed budget with daily rates, estimated travel costs, local accommodation, and any other direct costs.
• Payment schedule: typically milestone-based (milestones involving the Inception Report, Data collection and analysis, final report and presentations)

14. Confidentiality and Ethics

• All data collected must be treated as confidential; consent procedures must be followed; reporting should anonymize sensitive information where required.
• Adherence to ADRA Uganda’s safeguarding and ethical guidelines.

Submission of a proposal
The proposal should be a 6-8 page technical document detailing objectives, methodology, a detailed timeline, team roles, relevant experience with contact references, sample data collection tools, a justified budget, and a risk mitigation plan. Include CVs of leads and key members, plus your portfolio. Please send your proposal with subject line ‘Application: ‘name of consultant’ Indigenous and local knowledge for climate action’ to The Procurement and Logistics Officer plo@adrauganda.org ; copy in the STRENGTH Project Manager aliguma@adraUGANDA.org .

Submit before 4^th August 2026