Uganda is rich in natural resources and has a favourable geological environment that hosts over 27 different minerals including gold, tin, iron ore, sand, limestone, marble, stone aggregate, phosphate, dimension stone, clay, oil and natural gas among others. Mining offers a significant opportunity for the country; particularly as a source of revenue, employment, economic lifeline for industries and a way of contributing to social and economic development. Nationally the mining industry is a key to attaining ‘Vision 2040’7 and the National Development Plan II (2015/16 –2019/20).

Growth and development of the mining sector is guided by the Mining and Minerals Policy 2001, Mining Act 2003 and Mining regulations of 2004, which are now out of date. Government of Uganda is with the support of development partners including UNDP reviewing the policy and legal institutional framework of the mining sector.

Over the last two decades, Uganda has experienced an infrastructure boom and rapid urbanisation drive by the demand for construction materials, dimension stones, industrial minerals and semi-precious stones – Development Minerals. Often referred to as Low Value Minerals and Materials (LVMM) due to their low price as a function of their weight and their relatively low value to international commodity markets, development minerals provide crucial inputs for domestic economic development and have the potential to boost development through employment creation at the local level for millions of people.

The construction industry contributes over 12% of Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP) and conservative estimates indicate that more than 1 million people in Uganda are engaged in this sector, with women making up more than 25% of the work force. Uganda’s strong economic growth, infrastructure boom and rapid urbanisation over the last two decades are driving the demand for construction materials (such as gravel and sand), dimension stones (such as marble and granite), industrial minerals (such as bentonite and talc) and semi-precious stones (such as garnet and amethyst). These are all referred to as Development Minerals which are minerals and materials that are mined, processed, manufactured and consumed domestically in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. Development Minerals are economically important close to the location where the commodity is mined and have the potential to boost development through employment creation at the local level for millions of people.

While a significant number of women derive their livelihood from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), little is known about the socio­-economic, including gender dimensions of ASM and its potential.

to support or hinder women’s economic empowerment. Policies aimed at legalization and regularization are thus unfolding without sufficient analysis of how women, and the barriers they face    in ASM, will be impacted.

There is also demonstrable limited technical and operational capacity within the institutional framework to effectively implement gender mainstreaming interventions – a factor that exacerbated the income disparities between men and women; and undermined socio-economic transformation in the Development Minerals sector.  Also, the informal nature of most quarry operations has augmented the vulnerabilities uniquely experienced by women especially regarding access to and control over economic resources such as capital, technologies and bargaining power as well as socio-cultural restrictions that impede their ability to exercise their voice and agency in the sector.  

More so, despite having a strong presence at artisanal sites, there are much fewer women than men in decision-making and leadership positions at ASM sites, points of sale and SMEs. This reality has largely undermined the potential for optimal benefit from the sector and compounded the socio-economic constraints that have led to gender-related barriers to poverty reduction, inclusive growth and sustainable development.

UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is implementing the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme. The three-year USD 950, 000 capacity building programme aims to build the profile, and improve the management of Development Minerals (industrial minerals; construction materials; dimension stones; and semi-precious stones) as well as contribute to addressing gender inequalities. The programme is part of a €13.1 million initiative by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, financed by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders in 40 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. 

Scope of work and methodology:

The absence of information and statistics on women’s participation in artisanal and small-scale mining    in Uganda a key hindrance for the formulation of a gender responsive policy, legal and regulatory framework for the mining sector.

In this regard, UNDP is seeking the services of a qualified national consultant to undertake a study on Strengthening the participation of women in artisanal and small-scale mining of Development Minerals. The study is intended to generate the relevant data on women and artisanal and small ­- scale mining of development minerals in Uganda. The data is intended to inform actions of stakeholders responsible for the formulation and implementation of mining and minerals policy; and regulations. The draft Study Report is expected to be reviewed and validated in a National validation workshop with key stakeholders during the assignment.   

Objectives:

The objective of this assignment is to generate data on and enhance the participation of women in artisanal and small – scale mining of development minerals; identify barriers to and opportunities for enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the burgeoning development minerals sector.  

Specifically, the study is intended to:

• Generate data on and enhance the participation of women in artisanal and small – scale mining of development minerals
• Identify barriers to and opportunities for enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the burgeoning development minerals sector; and
• Determine the extent to which gender considerations are included in the design and monitoring    of policies aimed at regularization in the sector.  

Key Tasks:

Under the direct supervision of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme Country Coordinator for Uganda and Team Leader – Inclusive Green Growth Programme and the overall supervision of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme Manager, the Consultant is required to use a participatory approach and process to ensure wide stakeholder consultation in the collection of both secondary and primary data. It is expected that data collected will be analyzed using a rigorous and transparent analysis framework, summarized and presented to the Uganda Country Working Group and at a National Validation Workshop to aid in prioritization of strategic interventions and ensure sufficient inclusion of all stakeholder views.

The key tasks:

• Prepare an inception report detailing his/her understanding of the terms of reference for the assignment; detailed methodology to be adopted to achieve the objectives of the assignment and the timelines for submission of the assignment deliverables;
• Review relevant documents with specific attention to gender mainstreaming provisions and capacity gaps that hinder meaningful participation of women in artisanal mining especially the Development Minerals sector. The capacity gaps should be categorised into i) Institutional framework capacity gaps; ii) gender gaps in incomes and employment opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities; iii) barriers and opportunities for women’s access to finance including digital finance and iv) capacity needs and barriers to meaningful participation in decision-making and leadership processes for female artisanal and small-scale miners. The consultant will be expected to detail specific actions related to each area.

The Consultant is expected to make key reference to the report on the Baseline Assessment and Value Chain Analysis of the Development Minerals Sector in Uganda. This should be done at inception stage before commencing with any field work. The Report will be provided to the successful bidder if not yet published at the time of contracting.  Other documents to be considered are, but not limited to: The Uganda Vision 2040, National Development Plan II, The Uganda Mining Act,2003, The National Minerals Policy 2001, The Uganda Gender Policy (2007), The UNDP Gender Equality Strategy (2014 – 2017);

• Conduct extensive consultations with key stakeholders to identify barriers to meaningful participation of women in artisanal and small-scale mining of Development Minerals.  To do so, the consultant is expected to determine a sample of key informants and representatives from relevant public, private and business development institutions as well as Civil Society Organizations. Please note that the list of stakeholder groupings is not exhaustive;

Undertake a stakeholder gender needs assessment and SWOT analysis to identify stakeholders’ gender-specific needs, key issues, priorities and actions to be undertaken to equitable participation of men and women in artisanal and small-scale mining of Development Minerals. A 

• detailed SWOT Analysis of the women in artisanal and small-scale mining of Development Minerals in Uganda will be imperative; 
• Prepare the draft study report that includes situation and gender analysis of the Development Minerals sector including income disparities between men and women; and barriers to and opportunities for women’s meaningful participation throughout the entire mining cycle in artisanal and small-scale mining of development minerals;
• Present the findings of the study to key stakeholders for validation;
• Prepare a Final study report that includes the list of stakeholders consulted among others.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The key deliverables of this assignment include:

• A final inception report within 5 work days of signing the contract detailing the consultant’s understanding of the terms of reference for the assignment; detailed methodology to be adopted to achieve the objectives of the assignment and the timelines for submission of the assignment deliverables;
• A draft report within 20 work days of that includes situation and gender analysis of the development minerals sector including incomes disparities between men and women; and barriers to and opportunities for women’s meaningful participation throughout the entire mining cycle in artisanal and small-scale mining of development minerals;
• A final report including inputs of stakeholders from the validation workshop within 25 working days of signing the contract.

Corporate competencies:

• Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office with strong analytical and presentation skills;
• Ability to execute multi-stakeholder engagements;
• Produce high quality analytical outputs and in a timely manner;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently, flexibly and under pressure utilizing initiative;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities;
• Flexibility in responding to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong analytical, research and writing skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically;
• Strong inter-personal, communications, negotiation and liaison skills;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. Working knowledge of the local languages an advantage.

Academic Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher in Natural Resources Management, Mining, Gender Studies, or Economics, development studies or relevant disciplines.

Years of experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience related to natural resource management, mining and sustainable development with a strong background in gender and small-scale mining;
• Demonstrated experience conducting gender analyses in the extractives sector in a development context;
• Strong experience working on gender dimensions of artisanal and small scale mining
• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following commodity subsectors an advantage:  construction materials; dimension stones; industrial minerals and semi-precious stones;
• Familiarity with international standards as well as industry best practice on gender and the mining sector as well as mining governance.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Working arrangements:

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will work closely with a team consisting of the Uganda Country Coordinator and ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme Specialist; and shall report to the UNDP Team Leader for the Inclusive Green Growth Programme, who will be responsible for ensuring the the overall technical quality of the deliverables, and compliance with the terms of the assignment.

The required format for all the reports generated shall be agreed with the UNDP upon the inception of the assignment.

All costs needed to achieve the deliverables set forth in this RFP are to be included in the financial proposals from the offerors (transport, professional fees, communication, consumables, living allowances, etc.) except logistical costs related to the organization of the stakeholder validation workshop.

Duration of the Work:

The assignment is expected to take a period of 25 non-consecutive working days spread over six weeks in accordance with the scope of work and indicative period for submission of deliverables as indicated in the TORs.

Duty Station:

The consultant’s duty station shall be Kampala with travel expected to selected 4 development minerals mining sites.

Price proposal and schedule of payments:

A lump sum payment, in three tranches, shall be made upon successful completion and certification of work done as indicated in this Terms of Reference.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Cumulative analysis:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]

Financial Criteria weight: [30%]

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Submission of Application:

The candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly uploaded on the UNDP jobs website with all the requirements as listed here below. Annexes and further information may be downloaded on http://procurement-notices.undp.org no.45512.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document to this website - http://jobs.undp.org no. 78289.

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment;
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (Annex II);
• Annexes 1 and II - may be downloaded from the UNDP Procurement Notices Website -http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ For further clarifications, please contact; janet.anyango@undp.org; moses.lutwama@undp.org;

Interested applicants should submit applications through uploading of all their required documentation in one single pdf document on this website only.