Terms of Reference for Consultant(S): Socio-economic Impact Study 

Akagera Management Company P.O. Box 1448

Kigali

Rwanda

www.akagera.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Consultant(s): Socio-economic impact Study 

Akagera National Park 

Introduction 

Akagera National Park is a 1,120 km2-protected area found in the Eastern province of Rwanda. The Park has approximately 480,000 people residing on the park boundary (2022 National census). Community engagement is a key component of the management of the park. Since 2010, ANP has been managed in Partnership between African Parks and RDB, while daily operations are undertaken with the assistance of the local leaders from village to district. The people of the area are highly dependent on agriculture and livestock farming in the system with subsistence fishery supplements in some parts of the communities with water resources. Climate change and the erratic nature of the draught pulse system add to the social and conservation challenges of the park, its wildlife, and its people.

Since 2010, the partnership has catalysed and invested over US$50 million in Akagera National Park and the wider landscape directly. This includes direct employment, infrastructure development, operational capacity, enterprise development, and community upliftment. The purpose of the study is to assess the conservation and socio-economic impact of Akagera National Park on surrounding communities, with the aim of informing and improving community development and conservation interventions. Through its community development strategy, Akagera National Park is increasingly interwoven into the fabric of its neighboring communities. Working with approximately 480,000 people living in these areas is critical to the park’s long-term viability.

The interventions whose overall objective is to have the communities in Zone of Influence (ZoI) with capacities to adopt green practices and feeling of ownership of conservation efforts including the management of the ANP and they perceive the ANP as an added value to the sustainability of their livelihoods is achieved though the 3E+ strategy” Education, Engagement, and Economy.

Objectives of the Study 

The primary objective of the study is to assess the conservation and socio-economic impact of Akagera National Park on surrounding communities.

Specifically, the study will:

• Assess the performance and sustainability of community livelihood and income-generating activities supported around the park;
• Understand the livelihoods and main sources of income of communities surrounding the park;
• • Evaluate the economic contribution of the park to local communities;

Scope of Work 

The Consultant will be responsible for conducting a socio-economic impact assessment of communities surrounding Akagera National Park to evaluate the park’s conservation and economic impact.

The scope of work will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Review relevant project documents, reports, and existing socio-economic data related to the park and surrounding communities;
• Develop an appropriate study methodology, data collection tools, and sampling approach;

• The Consultant will be responsible for ensuring overall quality assurance and effective coordination of the study, including training and supervision of enumerators and field supervisors, oversight of field implementation and data collection processes, and management of data quality, entry, cleaning, and validation systems.
• Conduct field data collection using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and community consultations;
• Assess the performance, effectiveness, and sustainability of community livelihood and income generating activities supported around the park;
• Analyse household livelihoods, income sources, and levels of dependence on natural resources;
• Evaluate the economic contribution of the park to surrounding communities, including employment, enterprise opportunities, revenue-sharing initiatives, and other community benefits;
• Identify key challenges, opportunities, lessons learned, and areas for improvement;
• Present findings and practical recommendations to support community development and conservation programming;
• Produce and submit a draft and final study report incorporating feedback from the park and relevant stakeholders.

Deliverables

• Full report of social economic study with practical recommendations for improving sustainability and impact.
• Submission of all raw data, datasets, transcripts, and supporting data collection materials to ANP in agreed formats upon completion of the study.
• Recommendations on the identification of Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) to scale, adapt, or stop based on performance, sustainability, community impact, and return on investment (ROI) metrics
• Power point presentation of key findings to the team for validation
• Abridged impact report incorporating infographics (3 pages max)

It is proposed that work commences in August and the final report be issued no later than October. The consultants are to share a workplan with a task list and dates for approvals and key deliverables. A final workplan and timeline will be agreed between Akagera National Park management and the consultant.

Support to the Consultants from Akagera National Park

The local park team will provide support to the consultants to enable successful completion of the study.

• Available data will be shared to inform sample design and select locations for fieldwork.
• Support will be provided in hiring suitable enumerators from local areas (or nearest urban centres).

Confidentiality and data ownership 

The consultants will follow research standards including the duty to obtain consent and to protect the confidentiality of respondents at all stages. All data is confidential and is the property of Akagera National Park and all information provided in response to this ToR is considered confidential and will not be shared outside of ANP without the express authority of the applicant.

Budget 

The consultants will provide detailed estimates of the budget including staff costs, travel, fieldwork, data analysis, report preparation, and meetings.

Required profile: 

• An advanced university degree or the equivalent, with advanced education in Statistics, M&E, development studies, qualitative and quantitative research studies
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in conducting similar research for socio-economic studies, with specific experience in livelihoods, enterprise development and value chain and market systems analysis
• Ability to work with rural communities in various cultural contexts and remote locations
• Demonstrated experience in translating socio-economic analysis into practical program design and implementation
• Significant experience using quantitative and qualitative methods, including study design and methodologies, interview and facilitation, staff training and field supervision, data analysis and reporting
• Experience of mobile data collection tools and able to train enumerators on the use of devices for data collection (smart phones/tablets)
• Having background in conservation linked economies would be an added advantage
• Experience with statistical and data analysis tools such as Survey 123, SPSS, and Stata
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda with excellent writing and presentation skills.

Applications 

Applications from interested parties should be submitted by email to [email protected]

with the subject “SEIS2026 AKAGERA– Socioeconomic Impact Study” no later than 30th July 2026 Applications should include the following information:

• Summary or overview of the agency or individual applying including relevant experience.
• Company Profile and CVs of consultant(s)
• Min. two (2) Sample reports of relevant studies
• Understanding of the TOR and required output
• Outline of proposed methodology and workplan
• Draft timeline and budget

Applications will be evaluated based on proposed response to TOR, technical qualifications and experience, and budget as follow:

– Methodology: 40%

– Experience: 40%

– Budget: 20%

Akagera Management Company Ltd – TIN 102012438

Directors: Mr. T. Nsanganira, Ms D. Uwase, Mr. R. Bayigamba, Mr. O. Nsengimana, Mr. I. Craig, Ms. J. Sebageni, Mr J. Gruner.