Consultancy: Assessing livelihood opportunitites for poor and vulnerable households in the eastern T

Oxfam in Nepal

Oxfam has been working in Nepal since the early 1980s undertaking various development initiatives addressing the poverty and injustice faced by women and other socially and economically excluded groups. The level of Oxfam's engagement increased substantially after restoration of democracy in 1990 as it became easier for civil society to work in the new political environment. Over the years, Oxfam has worked in partnership with local civil society organisations and the government to promote rural livelihoods, and vulnerable communities' resilience to climatic shocks and disasters. It has also significantly contributed to empowering community people, especially women, to; negotiate with people in power, influence decision making processes, claim rights and essential services to which they are entitled, demand accountability on the part of duty bearers and engage larger masses in advocacy efforts. Oxfam also worked closely with UNHCR in providing assistance to Bhutanese refugees during the 1990s. Oxfam and its long term programme partners believe that the underlying structural causes and drivers of poverty must be addressed if improvements in peoples's lives are to be broad and lasting. Poverty is not one-dimensional; nor is it purely local in its causes and solutions. Therefore, Oxfam's work addresses not only material and technical change, but also the related economic, social, institutional and policy changes which are necessary to end poverty and achieve development and wellbeing. The Oxfam Nepal Vision is: The people of Nepal are empowered and work together to attain a life of dignity with justice and equal rights for all. The Overall Nepal Programme Goal is: to improve the well being of vulnerable people through strengthening their participation in development and governance processes and reducing poverty and suffering.

Details / requirements:

Terms of Reference

 on

Assessing Livelihood Opportunities for Poor and Vulnerable Households in the Eastern Terai Region (Saptari, Rautahat, Dhanusha and Sarlahi)

 

Background

Despite some progress in poverty reduction in recent years, nearly one fourth of the people live below absolute poverty line in Nepal, according to the national living standards survey conducted in 2010-2011. Country’s economy still relies on subsistence agriculture that employs two-thirds of the economically active population and contributes about one-third of the national GDP.

Nepal is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters- frequent earthquakes, severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, and glacial melting – whose severity is compounded by the effects of climate change. Based on different studies, Nepal is 4th in terms of climate risks, 11th in earthquake risks and 30th in terms of flood risks in the world. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on 25 April and a major aftershock on 12th May causing over 8,500 deaths, more than 22,000 injured, and millions of people have been affected in other ways. Furthermore, degradation of natural resources, limited economic opportunities, and higher social exclusion further exacerbated the situation in the country.  Moreover, the food and fuel crisis as well as instable political situation have most probably resulted in poverty increase with aggravation of local disparities.

 

OXFAM in Nepal has been implementing DRM/HTN – Joint Programme since 2009 as a continuation of regional River Basin Programme in 4 flood prone districts of Terai (Saptari, Dhanusha, Sarlahi and Rautahat). The programme has three main elements: Community based disaster risk reduction in the flood prone areas and also in earthquake prone districts in Nepal; humanitarian capacity building for government departments, regular partner organizations and strategic organizations and other stakeholders at district level; and humanitarian advocacy works around programme, policies and its enactment. To enhance resilience of the rural community living in the flood prone area, the programme envisioned in reducing vulnerabilities to disasters, creating livelihood opportunities and providing technical and financial support in a more sustained way through developing and strengthening local level institutional mechanisms in the programme area.

 

Reaching poor with a package of supports for sustainable upgrading of their livelihoods is the biggest challenge. They have little or no assets as well as capacity and abilities to independently invest and generate sustainable surplus and income for their wellbeing. Their scanty resources are often completely exhausted or eroded when encountered with natural and social hazards. However, disaggregated data that could allow identifying the most vulnerable communities, to understand their livelihoods systems, factors and dynamics of vulnerability, and resilient livelihoods opportunities for addressing poverty and vulnerability are lacking. In this regard, DRM/HTN – Joint Programme is looking for a consultant for conducting an assessment to identify the best livelihood opportunities to improve resilience and wellbeing of rural communities.  

 

 

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to develop livelihoods improvement strategy for resilience and wellbeing of vulnerable households in four project districts (Saptari, Rautahat, Dhanusha and Sarlahi). The specific objectives of the study are:

1.       Undertake a mapping/zoning study of poor and vulnerable households, with particular emphasis on the people who are more vulnerable to shocks, stresses and seasonality.

2.       Undertake an assessment of different livelihoods systems of the population in the project area especially landless women, disadvantaged groups and smallholder farmers; and an understanding of the constraints, factors and process that contribute to poverty and vulnerability.

3.       Identify coping mechanisms of poor households in the project districts, especially the different strategies of diversification of livelihoods sources in these areas in shocks and stress.

4.       Analyze local market demand and supply and identify key local economic market opportunities – both on-farm and off-farm – for poor, disadvantaged groups and smallholder farmers based on sustainable livelihood approach.  

5.       Make key recommendations of opportunities for livelihoods diversification to enhance food security and livelihoods and increase resilience of vulnerable groups with considering shocks, stresses and seasonality.

 

Scope of Work:

This study is expected to deliver:

1         Identification and mapping of different vulnerable groups and factors affecting the level of vulnerability in the study area

2         A clear picture of socio-economic status of households including sources of income and expenditure with focusing poor and vulnerable population

3         Constrains and factors that contribute to poverty and vulnerability of households

4         Understanding coping strategies/mechanisms of poor and vulnerable households

5         Overview of livelihood systems of the study area with emphasis on poor and disadvantaged groups

6         Understanding of key causes/barrier for adopting livelihood opportunities, such as inputs, technology, services, market information and assistance opportunities  

7         Understanding specific drivers and barriers of food and nutrition insecurity of household in relation to livelihood opportunity

8         Understanding local market demand and supply and identifying key local economic market opportunities – both on-farm and off-farm

9         Identify the potential livelihood strategy and activities for different category of households in line with sustainable livelihood approach

10     Produce comprehensive assessment report and share major findings with DRM/HTN – Joint Programme team members.

 

 

 

Expected Outputs

·         Produce comprehensive assessment report covering the deliverables outlined above

·         Sharing of major findings with DRM/HTN – Joint Programme team members

 

Approach and Methodology

In order to accomplish the above objectives, the research will be carried out in the working area of DRM&HTN – Joint Programme that covers Saptari, Rautahat, Dhanusha and Sarlahi .

The research should use the most appropriate methods available to answer the questions relevant to enhance resilience and wellbeing of vulnerable households in the study area.

The consultant will use a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods which will be agreed between consultant’s proposal and Oxfam’s technical experts for the collection and analysis of data and report preparation. A key component of the livelihoods assessment will be ensuring that the assessment process includes elements of disaster risk sensitivity where required.

 

Duration of Assignment

It is expected that above deliverables will require an equivalent of up to 6 weeks, between November and December 2015.  The consultant is expected to provide a detailed work plan for executing deliverables as outlined above, including perceived current risks and contingency plan. The exact timing will be decided during the contract agreement between Oxfam and the Consultant.

 

Competencies Required

·         Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or other fields directly related to livelihoods

·         At least 8 years of experience in livelihood related research and development work with specific background in food security and livelihoods, rural development and micro-enterprise promotion

·         Good analytical and report writing skills

·         Familiarity with Eastern Terai context preferred

Selection Criteria

The consultant will be selected on the following basis:

·         Detail proposal, including financial, from the potential consultants along with their experiences on the respective field and detailed CV with clear indication of expected consultancy fee based on scope of work described above

·         Evidence of similar work in the respective field

Knowledge on food security, livelihoods, gender and social inclusion issues in developm

 

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Interested  firms are requested to send their proposal clearly mentioning the title of assignement in their email subject line  by 25 October 2015 via mail to recruitment_nepal@oxfam.org.uk

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Category Consulting & Professional Services
Openings 1
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Posted Date 13 Oct, 2015
Apply Before 25 Oct, 2015
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