Result of Service
Key tasks and deliverables: A) Tasks 1. Inception Phase and TNA kick-off 1.1. Inception Report with proposed approach and work plan and timeline 1.2. Participate in the kick-off meeting 2. Analysis of the STI environment and National System of Innovation (NSI) and identification of priority TNA sectors 2.1. Analyse relevant data and information sources, including national development plans and strategies, policy documents, information on STI governance structures and arrangements, information on investment in science and technology, key STI indicators and trends, as well as Uganda’s national development ambitions and strategic objectives, to assess key entry points where STI can effectively contribute to the achievement of national development goals. 2.2 Prepare a draft list of interviewees from relevant government, academia, private sector and civil society institutions; prepare a draft questionnaire for the analysis of the STI ecosystem and the identification of development priorities and STI entry points. 2.3 Conduct consultations with selected STI experts in the country, nominated/assigned government officials/technical expert, including interviews and focus group meetings, covering the functioning of the NSI, its evolution in recent times and the role of STI in delivering on Uganda’s development ambitions and identification of priorities sectors and sub-sectors. 2.4 Prepare the chapters presenting: (i) an overview of the country’s contextual background and national system of innovation in Uganda, including an analysis of the evolution of the STI system over time and proposed policy and institutional recommendations; and (ii) a proposed set of priority sectors and sub-sectors for the TNA, with a clear rationale based on Vision 2040, NDPIV, their development objectives, STI potential, and strategic relevance. 2.5 Prepare and present the proposed priority sectors and sub-sectors to the TNA Steering Committee for discussion and validation. The final selection endorsed by the Steering Committee will serve as the basis for subsequent in-depth sectoral and sub-sectoral analysis under the TNA. 3. In-depth analysis of selected TNA priority sectors and sub-sectors 3.1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review to map the development status, innovation dynamics and technological capabilities, structural constraints, technology adoption patterns, and investment landscape of each priority sector and sub-sector. 3.2 Participate in interviews and focus group discussions with the technical experts and sector-specific stakeholders to validate desk findings and extract additional insights on sectoral performance, technological gaps, investment barriers, and opportunities for STI-driven transformation. Compare stakeholder perspectives with desk research findings. 3.3 Consolidate insights from the desk review and stakeholders' engagement to produce an in-depth, strategic analysis of the selected 2-3 sectors and respective sub-sectors, detailing development gaps and challenges, areas of expertise at the country level, technology adoption and investment levels. Review the investment environment, highlight opportunities and barriers for technology transfer in the identified sectors. 3.4 Prepare the TNA sectoral chapters with an integrated sectoral assessment presenting an in-depth analysis of each priority sectors and sub-sectors, including how innovation occurs in the sector, key actors and institutional linkages, value chains’ structure, sector and sub-sector performance, technological constraints and opportunities, technology-transfer environment. This analysis will inform subsequent technology identification and prioritization. 4. Technology Analysis 4.1 In close consultation with the national Consultant(s) 4.1.1 Oversee the design and submission of a survey/interview questionnaire to identify relevant technologies in the selected sub-sectors which can effectively contribute to priority development goals; identify those technologies already available/in use in the country and those suitable for transfer. 4.1.2 Support in the identification of at least 6-8 key technology experts with expertise in the focal sectors and subsectors of the TNA to serve as members of the Technology Group of Experts. Conduct focus group meetings or one-on-one interviews with the Technology Experts to: (i) identify the main technologies that can address sectoral priority needs and drive investment; (ii) identify relevant criteria and weights to prioritize and rank the technologies; (iii) identify barriers and challenges to their sustainable adoption; (iv) provide insights to inform the preparation of technology fact sheets. 4.2 Coordinate survey data analysis, drafting of the relevant technologies long list and preparation of technology factsheet for each technology. 4.3 Participate in focus group meetings convened by the national consultant(s) to identify criteria and weights to prioritize technologies and discuss scoring for each technology. 4.4 Finalize ranking of priority technologies per each sub-sector and prepare chapter on technology analysis, presenting prioritized technologies, barriers and enabling conditions, recommendations for adoption and related policy recommendations. 5. TNA Report 5.1 Prepare the first draft for review by the UN Technology Bank and the national focal point. The report should include a section recommending areas and opportunities to attract investment in STI. 6. Report finalization 6.1 Revise the TNA draft of the report based on comments from the UN Technology Bank, national focal point and relevant stakeholders, which will then be used for the validation of the report. 6.2 Prepare TNA Brief (2-page report summary) B) Deliverables: • Inception report • TNA report introduction and chapters on i) the contextual background and development agenda; and ii) STI ecosystem and its evolution • Final list of proposed interviews and questionnaire to be used • Drafted sectoral chapters structured around: sector development status, innovation system functioning, sub-sector challenges and opportunities, technology gaps, investment opportunities. • Proposed survey/interview questionnaire to identify relevant technologies in the identified TNA focus (priority) sectors. • List of technical expert group members • Draft interview questionnaire • Technology factsheets (including characteristics, potential of applications, cost, maturity, economic benefits and social benefits) • Drafted chapter on Technology Analysis • First complete draft of the TNA report, including executive summary, introduction, conclusion, recommendations, and annexes • Final draft TNA report submitted • TNA Brief/ Summary produced
Duties and Responsibilities
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are key instruments for the socio-economic transformation of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and their sustainable development. For the purposes of this study, technology refers to hardware, technical know-how, technical skills, and software applied to solve development-related challenges. LDCs suffer from deficits in their Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) capacities, absorptive as well as adaptive capacities, and lag substantially behind both emerging and advanced economies. The importance of STI is recognized both in the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs for the Decade 2022-2031 (DPoA) as well as the Decade of Action for the SDGs. The DPoA highlights the importance of using STI to address multiple vulnerabilities and achieve the SDGs, making this a central priority for sustainable and lasting graduation of LDCs. It calls for renewed and stronger partnerships between LDCs and their development partners, including governments, the private sector, and civil society. The DPoA also recognizes the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries as a focal point for LDCs in the area of STI. Since 2019, the UN Technology Bank has been conducting Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) in LDCs. The primary purpose of the TNA is to identify the technologies and technical know-how that the LDCs need to address key development challenges and, in the long term, assist them to develop the technological and innovative capabilities required to achieve growth, promote structural transformation, and attain the SDGs. It is in this context that the UN Technology Bank has been requested by the Government of Uganda to undertake a Technology Needs Assessment. Uganda has made notable progress in its socio-economic development trajectory over the past decade, underpinned by sustained economic growth, investments in human capital, and a strategic focus on structural transformation. The country has met the graduation criteria from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category for the first time in 2024, reflecting improvements in gross national income per capita, human assets, and economic resilience. Uganda’s long-term development vision, articulated in Vision 2040 and operationalized through successive National Development Plans, aims to transform the country from a predominantly agrarian economy into a modern and prosperous society. At the same time, international indicators, including the Global Innovation Index, continue to point to persistent gaps in science, technology, and innovation (STI) performance, particularly in innovation capabilities, technology adoption, and knowledge-intensive production. Addressing these gaps through targeted and strategic use of STI will be critical to sustaining Uganda’s development gains and advancing its ambition of inclusive, resilient, and innovation-led growth. Purpose and Scope of Assignment In general, the challenges facing the LDCs are numerous, and they cut across sectors and income levels. Thus, in principle, LDCs need all sorts of technologies (both hard and soft) to tackle immediate challenges and accelerate the development process. However, access to the diverse range of technologies they need is neither easy not feasible - partly because of the high cost acquiring technologies and partly because LDCs have low-level of absorptive capacities, which limit their ability to absorb, learn, assimilate, and upgrade the acquired technologies. This makes the TNA a useful tool for pinpointing specific areas where appropriate and relevant technological solutions can be used to help LDCs overcome some of the obstacles to development. The assessment intends to provide critical insights about the functioning of the national innovation system, present an overview of the existing gaps and challenges in accessing, utilizing and developing technologies, and understand how the national policy framework in the areas of STI impacts national sustainable development. The TNA will rely on a wide conceptualization of technology and look at technology as the systematic knowledge and skills used in the process of production or service delivery. This knowledge can be embodied in products or processes. Under the supervision of the UN Technology Bank, the international consultant will work closely with a national consultant(s) to undertake the following tasks: ● Analyze Uganda’s national development context and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, including the functioning of the National Innovation System (NIS), policy and institutional frameworks, innovation and R&D capacities, skills base, technology absorption capacity, and ongoing STI initiatives, including indigenous technologies, with due consideration to existing national frameworks such as the current fourth National Development Plan, the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, and their underlying strategic pillars. ● Lead inclusive, participatory stakeholder engagement processes involving government, the private sector, research institutions, and other relevant actors to identify priority sectors, sub-sectors, and economic activities with high transformation potential, within the sectors already prioritized by the Government of Uganda under its national development strategies, including the Agro-Industrialization, Tourism Development, Mineral Development, and Science, Technology and Innovation (ATMS) framework and assess their development trends, technology needs, and implications for foreign direct investment (FDI). ● Identify and prioritize technologies that can effectively address Uganda’s development goals, SDGs, and structural transformation objectives, including sustainable graduation from the LDC category, while assessing barriers to technology acquisition, deployment, diffusion, and scaling-up. ● Assess the enabling environment and country readiness for the adoption of prioritized technologies, including policy, regulatory, financing, institutional, capacity, and skills dimensions, as well as the suitability and attractiveness of these technologies for different types of public and private investment. This will include reviewing existing investment flows, potential private sector engagement, and public-private partnerships that could catalyze technology adoption and innovation. ● Integrate cross-cutting considerations throughout the analysis, including trade and export diversification, import substitution, gender equality and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and regional and South–South cooperation opportunities. ● Develop actionable and investment-oriented recommendations to strengthen STI capabilities, address identified barriers, enhance capacity-building and skills development, and support sustainable technology transfer, adoption, and diffusion. ● Identify concrete, bankable opportunities for investment in STI areas, including technology adoption for value chain upgrading and related capacity development, that can engage the private sector, investment promotion agencies, and development partners, fostering an implementation-focused approach for technology adoption and innovation-led growth. ● Coordinate closely with the UN Technology Bank, STI-OP as the national focal point institution, and national consultant(s) to agree on methodology, analyze findings, draft and revise TNA chapters, incorporate feedback, and finalize a high-quality TNA report in line with the UN Technology Bank’s guidance. The consultancy will also include the following activities: ● Institutional and capacity assessments in what relates to Science, Technology, and Innovation in the country. ● Participate in stakeholder engagements/workshops facilitated by the national consultant. ● Oversee, in close consultation with the national consultant(s), and provide quality assurance to participatory assessment processes to collect qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, focus group meetings and interviews. ● Parsing and synthesizing large amounts of information into analytical insights ● Carrying out high quality research and producing knowledge products. ● Developing policy and action-oriented recommendations in science, technology, and innovation. ● Project planning and reporting arrangements, including working in professional teams.
Qualifications/special skills
• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Development and Trade, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Innovation Studies or related areas. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • At least ten (10) years of working experience in research, international development, trade, science, technology and innovation, or related area is required. • Extensive knowledge of the innovation systems, technological learning and absorption processes and the policy and regulatory environment required for capacity building in STI is required. • Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods, data collection, and data analysis, including gender disaggregated data analysis, techniques is required. • Strong analytical writing and communication skills are required. • Research and publications on international development related matters are required. • Good understanding of the development challenges facing developing countries; especially the Least Development Countries (LDCs) is desirable. • Practical experience of foreign direct investment gained through working with an investment promotion agency, industrial park, special economic zone or similar organization or experience working on foreign investment projects is desirable.
