Call of Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy Services

Call of Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy Services

1.Background :

Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Limited (NACCFL), established in 2008, is the apex body of Small Farmers Agriculture Cooperatives (SFACLs) and related agricultural cooperatives in Nepal, with a network of over 1,300 cooperatives serving 1.2 million farmers. Originating from the community-led Small Farmers Development Program, NACCFL works to improve rural livelihoods and reduce poverty through policy advocacy, institutional development, access to credit and markets, technical support, climate-resilient practices, and strengthened cooperative governance.

In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) project "Improved Food and Nutrition Security Through Diversified Income Generation and Empowerment under the GAFSP Program in Bradiya.", NACCFL is scaling up efforts to strengthen legal frameworks, accountability, transparency, and compliance with the Cooperative Act. The project aims to improve food and nutrition security, livelihood resilience, and income for vulnerable and marginalized households in Bardiya, with a strong focus on gender and social inclusion. It promotes climate-resilient agriculture, delivers essential inputs and services, and supports production and marketing of commodities such as oilseeds through cooperatives in Mainapokhar, Padnaha, Kalika, Deudakala, and Basgadhi.

To support this initiative, the NACCFL seeks qualified consultants (firms/individual) to provide technical assistance in capacity building for SFACL/POs with regards to cooperative governance, financial management and book keeping, cooperative performance and business plan development. 

2.Thematic Areas for Consultancy Services: 

The NACCFL offers applications from consultancy firm or individual for providing training to strengthen the capacity of Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperatives Limited (SFACL)/ Producer Organizations under GAFSP Project. 

1. Cooperative Management and Governance
2. Financial Management and Account Keeping
3. Cooperative Performance
4. Business Plan Development 

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will provide technical assistance and training in the following thematic areas:

3.1 Cooperative Management and Governance

Roles and Responsibilities of the consultant 

• Conduct training on cooperative governance, leadership, compliance, and democratic participation.
• Promote principles of transparency, accountability, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Develop user-friendly training materials and guidelines tailored to cooperatives.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to strengthen leadership and governance practices.
• Support improvement of internal systems and member control mechanisms.
• Facilitate participatory governance and performance assessments.

3.2 Financial Management & Account Keeping

Roles and Responsibilities of the consultant 

• Deliver training on bookkeeping, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Build capacity to prepare financial statements and ensure compliance.
• Introduce digital accounting solutions where feasible.
• Advise on risk management, fraud prevention, and financial sustainability.
• Guide cooperatives on statutory compliance, including tax and regulatory requirements.

3.3 Cooperative Performance 

Roles and Responsibilities of the consultant 

• Strengthen the management and performance of cooperatives. 
• Build the capacity of cooperative leaders to ensure accountability, inclusiveness, and sustainability. 
• Ensure a participatory, experience-based, and inclusive approach with attention to women and youth. 
• Use a performance framework for assessing cooperative performance in terms of relevance, effectiveness, and financial viability. 
• Identify cooperative strengths, weaknesses, achievements, and challenges. 
• Analyze influencing factors like motivation, governance, management, human and material resources, and the external environment. 
• Performance assessment. 
• Support the development of action plans for cooperatives, both short-term and long-term.

3.4 Business Plan Development:

Roles and Responsibilities of the consultant 

• Guide and train cooperative leaders in the development of pragmatic and market-driven business plans.
• Develop training curriculum, session plans, and materials on business plan development tailored for Producer Organizations (POs), cooperatives, and smallholder groups.
• Facilitate the integration of financial data (costs, revenue projections), market analysis, and operational strategies into a coherent business plan.
• Assist cooperatives in defining their value proposition, core activities, and target markets within the plan.
• Support the creation of realistic financial projections, including startup budgeting, cash flow forecasts, and profitability analysis.
• Train cooperatives on how to use the business plan as a management tool for decision-making and to present to financial institutions for potential lending.

4 Key requirements

Interested parties must submit the following:

4.1 In case of Individual

• Curriculum Vitae including academic qualification, relevance experience, expertise, publications, reference- at least 2 (CV should not more than 5 pages).
• PAN registration

4.2 In case of Firm

• Organization/individual profile.
• CV of experts along with relevant experience and references (at least two)
• Legal documents (registration, PAN/VAT, tax clearance, etc.).

5 Application Procedure 

Interested Nepalese individuals and firms are invited to submit proposals for training services in specified thematic areas.

Applications must include:

• Name of the individual or firm
• Thematic area(s) of expertise (applicants may apply for multiple areas)
• Submit via email to: contact@naccfl.org
• Deadline: 25 September 2025, 5:00 PM (Nepal Time)

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. NACCFL reserves the right to reject any or all applications, and no telephone inquiries will be entertained.