Submit Applications for MECS Trust Fund in Uganda

The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) in partnership with the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme, is seeking applications from qualified individual consultants to conduct an independent evaluation of the eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme. The consultancy offers funding of up to £6,000 and is open to experienced professionals with expertise in programme evaluation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), development finance, and clean energy initiatives.

About the Uganda eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme

The eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme is a clean energy initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of electric cooking technologies across Uganda. The programme supports the country’s transition from traditional biomass cooking methods to modern electric cooking solutions, contributing to improved public health, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.

The initiative is implemented by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) in collaboration with the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme.

The programme focuses on strengthening Uganda’s electric cooking market by improving the supply of quality appliances, supporting private sector businesses, expanding consumer access to affordable financing, and advancing national clean cooking and energy access goals.

As part of the programme, an independent consultant will evaluate its implementation, effectiveness, outcomes, and overall impact.

Consultancy Funding

The selected consultant will receive:

• Up to £6,000.

The budget must include:

• Withholding Tax (WHT).
• Value Added Tax (VAT), where applicable.
• All local taxes.
• Any other applicable charges.

Important: Budgets that exclude these costs will be considered non-compliant and may be rejected.

Payments will be made only after the successful completion and acceptance of all agreed deliverables.

Programme Objectives

The eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme aims to:

• Increase adoption of electric cooking technologies.
• Promote clean cooking solutions.
• Reduce dependence on biomass fuels.
• Strengthen Uganda’s private-sector eCooking market.
• Improve access to affordable financing.
• Expand energy access.
• Support climate change mitigation.
• Promote sustainable energy use.
• Improve household health outcomes.
• Strengthen Uganda’s clean energy ecosystem.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultancy seeks an independent evaluator to assess:

• Programme implementation.
• Effectiveness of programme activities.
• Achievement of programme objectives.
• Impact on electric cooking adoption.
• Private sector market development.
• Financing mechanisms.
• Lessons learned.
• Opportunities for programme improvement.
• Sustainability of programme outcomes.
• Overall contribution to Uganda’s clean cooking goals.

The evaluation should generate practical recommendations that inform future programme design and implementation.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant is expected to:

• Review programme documentation.
• Assess implementation progress.
• Evaluate programme performance.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations.
• Carry out interviews.
• Design and implement surveys where appropriate.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• Assess programme outcomes and impact.
• Prepare an independent evaluation report.
• Present evidence-based recommendations.

The evaluation should use internationally recognized monitoring and evaluation practices.

Who is Eligible?

The opportunity is open only to individual consultants.

Consortiums, partnerships, and organizations are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Have professional training in evaluation methodologies.
• Demonstrate significant programme evaluation experience.
• Meet all technical eligibility requirements.

Educational Requirements

Applicants should possess a Master’s degree in one of the following or a closely related field:

• Economics.
• Finance.
• Business Administration.
• Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Development Studies.
• Energy.
• Public Policy.
• Other relevant disciplines.

Professional training in evaluation methodologies is also required.

Professional Experience Requirements

Applicants must have:

• At least five years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in programme evaluation.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
• Experience in development finance or related fields.
• Experience conducting independent evaluations.

Applicants should also demonstrate experience working with development programmes funded by governments or international development partners.

Technical Experience

Applicants should have successfully completed at least one independent evaluation involving:

• Development programmes.
• Financing facilities.
• Private sector development initiatives.
• Donor-funded projects.

Additional experience should include:

• Mixed-method evaluation design.
• Document reviews.
• Stakeholder interviews.
• Survey implementation.
• Data collection.
• Quantitative analysis.
• Qualitative analysis.
• Report writing.

Experience evaluating programmes supported by development partners or international financial institutions is considered an advantage.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following individuals are not eligible:

• Current awardees under the eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme.
• Individuals connected with the programme.
• Individuals employed by organizations that have benefited from the programme.
• Consortiums.
• Partnerships.
• Organizations applying on behalf of individuals.

The evaluation must remain fully independent.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A proposal in Microsoft Word format.
• Responses limited to six pages.
• A two-page curriculum vitae (CV).

The proposal should clearly demonstrate qualifications, methodology, and relevant experience.

Submission Format

Accepted format:

• Microsoft Word document.

Not accepted:

• PDF.
• PowerPoint.
• Prezi.

Applications submitted in non-approved formats will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Interested consultants should follow these steps.

1. Review the official Terms of Reference and eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm that you meet all educational and professional qualifications.
3. Prepare a technical proposal describing your evaluation methodology.
4. Develop a realistic budget that includes all applicable taxes.
5. Prepare a CV highlighting relevant evaluation experience.
6. Ensure the proposal does not exceed six pages and the CV does not exceed two pages.
7. Save the proposal in Microsoft Word format.
8. Submit the complete application before the deadline.
9. Respond to any clarification requests during the evaluation process if required.

Application Components

A competitive application should generally include:

• Applicant information.
• Technical proposal.
• Evaluation methodology.
• Work plan.
• Relevant professional experience.
• Budget including all taxes.
• Two-page CV.
• Supporting information requested by the programme.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

• Academic qualifications.
• Professional evaluation experience.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Experience with donor-funded programmes.
• Experience in mixed-method evaluations.
• Technical quality of the proposal.
• Relevant sector expertise.
• Understanding of clean energy and development programmes.
• Value for money.

Applicants demonstrating strong analytical skills and extensive evaluation experience are likely to be more competitive.

Why This Consultancy Matters

Access to clean cooking technologies plays a critical role in improving health, reducing environmental degradation, and supporting sustainable development.

This consultancy contributes to:

• Expanding clean energy adoption.
• Improving household energy access.
• Reducing reliance on biomass fuels.
• Strengthening Uganda’s private-sector energy market.
• Supporting climate action.
• Enhancing programme accountability.
• Generating evidence for future policy decisions.
• Improving the effectiveness of development investments.

The independent evaluation will help identify lessons learned and guide future clean cooking initiatives in Uganda and beyond.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.

• Applying as a consortium or organization instead of an individual.
• Submitting proposals in PDF, PowerPoint, or Prezi format.
• Exceeding the page limits.
• Omitting taxes from the proposed budget.
• Failing to demonstrate relevant evaluation experience.
• Providing an unclear evaluation methodology.
• Not highlighting experience with donor-funded programmes.
• Submitting incomplete application documents.

A strong application should clearly demonstrate technical expertise, independence, relevant evaluation experience, and a practical methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

It is an independent consultancy opportunity to evaluate Uganda’s eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) in partnership with the MECS Programme.

How much funding is available?

The selected consultant may receive up to £6,000, inclusive of all applicable taxes, VAT, withholding tax, and other charges.

Who can apply?

Only individual consultants are eligible. Consortiums, partnerships, and organizations cannot apply.

What qualifications are required?

Applicants must hold at least a Master’s degree in a relevant field, possess professional training in evaluation methodologies, and have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.

What experience is expected?

Applicants should have conducted at least one independent evaluation of a development programme, financing facility, private sector initiative, or donor-funded project and have experience using mixed-method evaluation approaches.

What format should the application be submitted in?

Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. PDF, PowerPoint, and Prezi submissions will not be accepted.

What makes a strong application?

Competitive applications demonstrate strong evaluation expertise, experience with donor-funded programmes, a clear evaluation methodology, compliance with submission requirements, and a realistic budget that includes all applicable taxes.

Conclusion

The Uganda eCooking Scale-up and Support Programme Evaluation Consultancy offers experienced evaluation professionals an opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s transition toward cleaner, more sustainable cooking solutions. With consultancy funding of up to £6,000, the assignment supports an independent assessment of a nationally significant clean energy programme aimed at expanding electric cooking technologies, strengthening private-sector markets, and advancing climate and energy access goals. Through rigorous evaluation and evidence-based recommendations, the selected consultant will help inform future investments in clean cooking and sustainable energy development in Uganda.