Green and Sustainable Business Technical Support

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 mechanization 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), on a Call Down basis, to CSJ’s private sector partners to establish green business practices and innovations and adhere to global green business standards.
The TA will be through a reputable firm/organization with capacity to engage the required experts as Consultants for the assignment.

Background to the Assignment

CSJ is supporting a select number of large Ugandan companies, particularly those working with smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda to green their operations and supply chains. This means helping companies adopt environmentally sound practices that reduce emissions, conserve natural resources, protect biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change. These actions contribute directly to better environmental outcomes across landscapes where smallholders are active.

At the same time, these improvements enhance the companies’ green credentials, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, improving their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, and making them more attractive and eligible for green financing. This includes access to climate and environmental investment instruments such as concessional loans, grants, blended finance, and carbon market mechanisms. Many of these financing sources require companies to demonstrate measurable environmental performance, robust governance structures, and alignment with green investment criteria.

To support this transition, CSJ will engage a pool of consultants through a contracted firm/organisation with technical expertise in key environmental and climate-related domains. These consultants will work directly with selected companies to identify green innovation opportunities, design practical interventions, improve monitoring systems, and strengthen readiness for accessing green finance while also delivering tangible environmental benefits in the process.

Objectives of the Assignment

CSJ requires the services of suitably qualified and experienced Firms to provide technical expertise and guidance, on a Call Down basis, to its partners to:

Identify environmental and climate risks and opportunities within their operations and supply chains to inform targeted greening strategies.Implement practical and cost-effective green innovations across key environmental areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, and regenerative agriculture.Strengthen internal systems for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) tracking, monitoring, and reporting, aligning them with green finance requirements and global standards.Enhance their eligibility and readiness to access green finance, through proposal development, emissions baselining, and certification pathways required by financial institutions and climate funds.

Scope of Work

The preferred Consultants will be contracted through the firm/organisation to be contracted by CSJ. The Consultants will deliver the following responsibilities:

1. Renewable Energy

Technical support in designing, installing, and maintaining solar PV, biogas, mini-hydro, or wind systems.Energy audits and efficiency improvements for agro-processing and storage facilities.

2. Water Management

Development of efficient water systems, rainwater harvesting designs, and water quality treatment options.Catchment protection and watershed management strategies.

3. Carbon Reduction and Sequestration

Identification of carbon mitigation and sequestration opportunities such as low-carbon technologies.
Development of carbon baselines, MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification) systems, and carbon project registration support.

4. Waste Management, Recycling, and Circular Economy

Product lifecycle assessment, upcycling models, and reduction of agro-industrial waste.

Deliverables

The firm/organization will be responsible for the technical quality and timeliness of deliverables of the Consultants. The Consultants will deliver the following in execution of the Scope of Work:

Company-specific specific diagnostic report with greening opportunity mapping, detailing current environmental performance and outlining targeted greening opportunities across operations and supply chains.Technical designs or improvement plans for selected interventions (e.g., irrigation systems, agroforestry models, energy efficiency upgrades).Green financing readiness toolkit including ESG reporting templates and green finance eligibility assessments.Baseline metrics for climate and environmental performance (e.g., carbon, biodiversity, water use).One to two draft green finance concept notes or funding proposals tailored to a company’s context.Capacity-building materials and coaching sessions for company staff on green practices, standards, or compliance.

Required Qualifications:
The preferred Consultants 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 Skills and Experience

The firm/organization/consultants under this assignment must exhibit these skills and experience:

A proven track record of delivering similar assignments as outlined in the Scope of Work.A track record of implementing or advising on climate-smart or green innovations in company or agribusiness settings.Familiarity with environmental reporting, green finance instruments, or voluntary certification schemes.Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical actions for companies.Experience working with or supporting large companies, ideally in agricultural or rural settings.Capacity to deploy field staff in Uganda, as needed.Strong communication, facilitation, and capacity-building skills.Core team members should hold advanced degrees in Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Natural ResourceManagement, Renewable Energy, Water Resource Management, Green Finance or a related field.Core team members should bring a minimum of five years’ hands-on experience implementing climate-smart or greeninnovations with large companies or agribusinesses.Experience supporting climate-smart, green, or low-carbon transitions within companies or producer groups.Familiarity with working in Uganda or East Africa, especially with agri-businesses and smallholder-focused value chains and supply chains.

Assignment Timeline

CSJ will pre-select three (3) providers on a Call Down Agreement basis for a period of 12 months from August 2025 to the August 2026.

This means that only the pre-selected firms/organizations will be invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to deliver elements of the Scope of Work as per CSJ’s call at a given time within the Call Down timeframe.

CSJ will review submissions on a rapid, best-value basis and issue a Task Order in line with each call. Each Task Order is expected to be delivered within two (2) weeks of issue, though more urgent tasks will be delivered quicker.

Submission instructions  
Interested firms/organization's must submit the following in response to this call:

1. Technical Proposal (max 10 pages, excluding CVs).

Summarizing suitability and thematic coverage of Scope of Work. The firm/organization must cover at least two areas.Highlight relevant and most recent past assignments (3-5 examples).Outline proposed core team & CVs (3-page limit per CV).Description of operational approach for rapid mobilization.

2. Financial Rate Card (Daily Rates by Category and team member).

3. Three client references (Name, E-mail, Phone).

The deadline for this submission 19th August 2025, 18:00 EAT.

Note that only shortlisted consulting firms/organization's will be contacted. If you have not received communication from CSJ within four weeks from the submission deadline, consider your bid unsuccessful.

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.