Consultancy for the review of KCCA internal policies, strategies, guidelines, practices and the development of practical recommendations to promote inclusive access to city services and economic self-reliance for urban refugees and vulnerable nationals

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is mandated to plan, develop, and administer the city of Kampala in a manner that promotes inclusive, sustainable, and equitable urban development. Like other urban centres with refugee populations, Kampala hosts a significant and growing number of urban refugees living alongside the host community. In its new strategy (2026 – 2030), KCCA has included refugees among vulnerable groups to access city services. This approach aligns with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Policy on Refugee Protection and Solutions for Urban Areas (2009), which recognises cities and towns as refugee hosting areas. The policy defines an urban area as a place that accommodates a large number of people living in close proximity to each other, and where the majority of people sustain themselves by means of formal and informal employment and the provision of goods and services.

UNHCR’s recognition of cities and towns underscores the increasing role and importance of urban areas in hosting refugees and other forcibly displaced populations. Globally, a rising proportion of refugees and internally displaced persons are seeking safety and opportunities in cities. This trend coincides with broader patterns of global urbanisation; the United Nations estimates that by 2050, approximately 68 per cent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. The convergence of rapid urbanisation, climate change, and increasing displacement presents both complex challenges and significant opportunities for cities. Urban centres are uniquely positioned to adopt inclusive approaches that not only respond to humanitarian needs but also leverage the economic, social, and cultural contributions that refugees bring from their countries of origin. With appropriate policies, planning, and partnerships, cities can harness displacement as a driver of resilience, innovation, and inclusive urban development.

Uganda hosts close to two million refugees and asylum seekers, with approximately ten per cent residing in Kampala and its surrounding metropolitan areas. In response to the growing needs and opportunities associated with urban displacement, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has partnered with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to implement the Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:BUiLD) program, with funding from the IKEA Foundation.

The Re:BUiLD program seeks to support urban refugees and vulnerable members of host communities to achieve economic self-reliance, while contributing to the development of more inclusive, resilient, and enabling urban environments. The program focuses on strengthening urban economic systems, regulatory frameworks, and social ecosystems to ensure that both refugees and host communities can access livelihood opportunities and benefit from equitable urban development.

Scope of the consultancy

In line with efforts to promote the inclusion of urban refugees and vulnerable host community members, and to support their achievement of economic self-reliance, the Re:BUiLD program, implemented in partnership with KCCA, seeks to engage a consultant to undertake this assignment. The consultant will assess the inclusiveness of KCCA’s existing strategies, policies, and institutional practices, and provide clear, practical, and implementable recommendations to enhance inclusive service delivery and urban development planning for refugees and vulnerable nationals living in Kampala.

Specific scope of the consultancy

• Assess current KCCA practices and service delivery mechanisms across key sectors to identify those that either hinder or facilitate refugees’ and vulnerable host communities’ access to economic and social services within the city.
• Analyze relevant KCCA policies, laws, and strategies to identify provisions that either promote or constrain refugees’ and vulnerable host communities’ access to economic and social services within the city.
• Document existing good practices and identify opportunities to further strengthen the inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host community members in accessing city services.
• Identify gaps that limit opportunities for refugees, women, and youth to access and benefit from city services.
• Develop practical, actionable, and cost-effective recommendations for KCCA to enhance inclusivity in service delivery and urban development processes, with a focus on improving access to services for vulnerable host community members, refugees, women and youth.

Deliverables

Inception report

The consultant will submit an inception report within two weeks of the assignment, clearly outlining their understanding and operational approach to the consultancy. The report shall include:

• A refined methodological framework detailing research design, data collection methods, analysis approaches, and quality assurance measures.
• A comprehensive work plan and timeline, indicating key milestones, deliverable submission dates, and validation points.
• A stakeholder engagement and consultation plan, identifying relevant KCCA departments, national institutions, refugee‑ and host‑community groups, private sector actors, and development partners.
• A clear and practical documentation of good practices to strengthen inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host community members.
• Develop practical, actionable, and cost-effective recommendations for KCCA to enhance inclusivity of refugees and vulnerable host community members in accessing city services.

Assessment report

The consultant will produce a consolidated assessment report that presents evidence and analysis to inform the assessment report which will include:

• Review of relevant policies, laws, institutional frameworks and operational guidelines related to access to city services
• Analysis of barriers affecting refugee and vulnerable host community access to city services
• Findings from community consultations with refugees and host communities, highlighting needs, barriers, capacities, gender dimensions, and protection considerations
• Identification of practical opportunities for actionable, and cost-effective recommendations for KCCA to enhance inclusivity of refugees and vulnerable host community members in accessing city services.
• Identification of good practices to strengthen and scale for inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host community members.

Draft assessment report

Based on the assessment findings, the consultant will develop and submit a draft report assessing the inclusiveness of KCCA’s strategies, policies, and practices and provides clear, practical and implementable recommendations on how KCCA can enhance inclusive service delivery, urban development planning and access to city services by refugees and vulnerable nationals.

Final assessment report

The consultant will submit an assessment report incorporating feedback from the validation processes.

Presentation of key recommendations

The consultant will prepare and submit:

• A presentation slide deck summarizing key findings, strategic priorities, and implementation recommendations for presentation to KCCA leadership and stakeholders
• A concise policy brief (3–5 pages) targeting senior decision‑makers, summarizing:

A.) The rationale for inclusion of urban refugees.

B.) Key opportunities from inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host nationals

C.) Strategic recommendations

These products should be clear, visually engaging, and accessible to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to use a participatory and mixed‑methods approach, including conducting desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (refugees and host communities), field observations and Stakeholder validation workshops

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 KCCA (lead agency) and the Manager Welfare & Community Services, Directorate of Gender Community Services & Production at KCCA and liase with the IRC’s Re:BUiLD Senior Program Manager and the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) coordinator throughout the development of the report. This will ensure sufficient support for the successful execution of the key activities outlined below:

Consultant qualification and experience

The consultant should possess an advanced university qualification in Urban Planning/Urban Development, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, Refugee and Migration Studies, or a related field.

The assignment requires demonstrated expertise in refugee inclusion, livelihoods development, and urban displacement contexts, as well as strong facilitation, analytical, and report‑writing skills. Prior experience working with local governments or municipal authorities will be considered a strong added advantage

Confidentiality of information

All materials, data, content and output associated with this assignment will be the property of IRC and KCCA and will be treated as confidential. Information gathered shall not be shared without prior written consent.

Assignment timeline

This assignment will be delivered for a maximum of forty working days from 22nd June 2026- 31 July 2026 from the time the contract is signed with the successful applicant. Actual timeline may 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 consultants should submit their expressions of interest to (IRC Uganda Supply Chain/HR ) 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

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

NB: This advert will close on 9-Jun-26.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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