Call for Proposal – Land Use Planning Consultancy

Terms of reference for consultancy service

1. Context and Background 

Habitat for Humanity International Nepal (Habitat Nepal) is an international non-governmental organization that is driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. In Nepal, we address housing needs of low-income families through our partnership with homeowners, duty bearers, civil society, financial institutions, academia and relevant stakeholders.  The organization serves families and communities that are at the bottom of the pyramid, by promoting greener, affordable and disaster resilient solutions and technologies for safe housing construction, advocating for land tenure security and joint land titles, and empowering communities at the risk of climate related disasters to apply local knowledge and practices for nature-based solutions. Through decent and adequate housing, we support families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.

Although an important socio-economic and livelihood asset for more than two third of its population, land sector in Nepal lacks proper planning. In many areas, land remains unused, underused, and exploited preventing the country and the communities from generating optimum socio-economic and environmental benefits and their equitable distribution. Haphazard and ad-hoc land use practices pose serious implications to overall sustainable development outcomes. The need for proper plans or guidelines to utilize and manage land resources based on the local specificities and requirements is therefore of paramount importance more than ever. Proper land use plans and guidelines can support local governments and communities to make informed decisions related to land aligned with the provisions of the Land Use Policy, 2015, Land Use Act, 2019 and Land Use Regulations, 2022 and other relevant policies, acts and guidelines.

As Habitat for Humanity globally pursues strategy of build and influence, our work on supporting policy planning and implementation practices related to land and housing that contribute towards bringing transformational changes in the lives of low-income, landless and marginalized communities becomes a fundamental priority.  With our successful pilot initiatives on land rights and housing programs in partnership with Local Governments in Nepal, it’s an opportune time to build upon these successes to scale up tenure security, equitable access to land and housing through sustainable land use planning program.

2. Objectives  

The main objective of this consultancy service is to 

• Develop a sustainable land use plan in partnership with a municipality in Kailali District.

Specific objectives are:

• Partner to support the development of a local level land use guideline to effectively guide sustainable utilization of land and other natural resources in the same municipality in line with the Federal and provincial level land use policy, act, and guideline.
• Update the land use map of one municipality through coordination with relevant agencies utilizing a bottom-up approach.

Scope of Work 

The successful candidate/consultant/consultancy firm will provide overall facilitation and documentation support to develop a land use plan in one Municipality of Kailali District. The consultant will work closely and collaboratively with relevant staff of that Municipality, Habitat for Humanity Nepal, Survey Department, District Survey Office, Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Sudurpaschim Province, local level NGO/CBO working on land and resource related issues, local leaders and local communities. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to:  

• Review of existing land related policies at Federal, Provincial and Local level.
• Assess, analyze and document existing land use arrangements (land tenure rights), land use practices, land categorization, land zoning and their impact on current and future land use practices at local level, focusing on agriculture, biodiversity and safe settlements – analyze the challenges and identify options for sustainable solutions.
• Coordination with relevant government bodies, stakeholders, and communities to support the development of local level land use plans and land use guidelines. 
• Innovate/Identify and document sustainable land use practices that facilitate sustainable settlements and local city centers/urban development, sustainable agriculture, land-based climate change adaptation strategies and community livelihoods.
• Support the drafting of local level sustainable land use plan.
• Support the development of local level sustainable land use guidelines to guide future land management practices engaging local communities, local level policy decision makers and relevant stakeholders.
• Share best practices and processes with adjoining municipalities to encourage replication of the successful program.

Methodology 

The consultant may propose innovative and appropriate methodology to implement this consultancy service. As the land use planning process is multidisciplinary, we suggest using both qualitative and quantitative methods, also considering the participatory approaches. Some of the methodologies that can be utilized are:

• Stakeholder meetings, community consultations, and field visits.
• Participatory Assessments, survey and mapping.
• Review of relevant legal and policy frameworks. 
• Coordination with relevant government authorities. 
• Workshops and validation meetings with diverse range of stakeholders including all tiers of government, parliamentarians, communities, CSOs. 
• FGDs, KIIS, SSIs, observations etc.

3. Key Deliverables  

The following are the key deliverables:

4. Qualifications, skills, and experience 

The consultancy team should be comprised of members having following qualifications, skills and experience within their team: 

• A master's degree in the field of Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Geomatics Engineering, Land Use Planning, Natural Resource Management, or similar field. A team should comprise of key members with relevant diverse skills will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 + years of demonstrated experience in DRR, GIS, land use planning and policy support to local levels in Nepal.  
• Knowledge of land and natural resource management and planning, housing ecosystem, DRR and the ability to provide technical guidance and support.  
• Proficient communication skills in English and Nepali, including excellent writing and presentation capabilities.  
• Strong planning, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.  
• Able to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely with simplicity given that communities are a key stakeholder.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required for field engagements.  
• Prior experience in fostering relationships with government bodies and partner organizations.

5. Active support of HFHI Values: 

1. Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves. 
2. Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. 
3. Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.

6. Ethical Protocols

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity Nepal is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve. 

We require that all staff and representatives (consultants, contractors, vendors/suppliers, interns, volunteers, agents, and implementing partner organizations) take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding (Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment, and Abuse) our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work.  

Abiding with the organization, the consultancy service has responsibilities to maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Throughout the assignment engagements, the consultants are expected to adhere to Habitat Nepal’s code of conduct including the safeguarding policy ensuring that all measures are taken to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of the individuals and communities involved.

The consultant/s should guarantee that the analysis is technically accurate and reliable and is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. All products resulting from this analysis will be owned by Habitat. The consultant will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the results or use any product resulting from the analysis as his or her own or for private publication purposes.

7. Requirements: Interested consultants are requested to submit:

• A Technical Proposal detailing the interpretation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and work schedule. The technical proposal should at a minimum include the following information in your interpretation of the TOR: 
  • Detailed work plan and methodology. 
  • Key deliverables  
  • A capability statement demonstrating how applicants meet the required qualifications and competencies, along with one sample from previous work similar to this assignment.  
  • Two reference details from former clients  
• A copy of organization/institution registration certificate 
• A copy of the latest tax clearance certificate 
• PAN/VAT registration document and the number 
• Copies of Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Key team members (As an annex) 
• A Financial Proposal detailing the proposed costs including all applicable taxes.  
• The entire proposal should be a maximum of seven (7) pages including the financial proposal. Proposals not meeting this requirement will not be considered. 
• Confidentiality of Information. All documents and data collected will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate analysis.

Below is a draft financial proposal template that can be used. If you feel some headings are missing, you can add accordingly, such as workshop expenses.

Kindly include all logistical costs required to conduct the consultancy including costs for coordination, workshop, etc.  

Note: The financial proposal should include all applicable taxes.

8. Copyright 

Copyright for the documents will remain with Habitat for Humanity International Nepal National Office and includes the right to distribute the material or parts of it to the Local Government and other partners in Nepal and abroad.

9. Instructions to submit the proposal. 

Interested reputed and qualified organisations/firms/individual consultants should submit their technical and financial proposal including testimonials/certificates in the form of hardcopies in a separate sealed/closed envelope. Please send the sealed bid to Habitat for Humanity International- Nepal, House No 126, New Colony Marg, Dhobighat, Lalitpur, Nepal.

For any queries contact the following email address info@habitatnepal.org

Application deadline: 21 April 2024