Consultant for VCAT Training Manual Development on Safe abortion for Doctors

Terms of Reference

Call for Consultancy/Firm/Individual

Consulting Service for VCAT Manual Development on Safe Abortion for Doctors

Assignment: Short-term Consultancy

Duration: August-September 2025

Location: Kathmandu

Background

Doctors for Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ Docs) is a non-profit organization forming a network of committed healthcare providers in Nepal working to ensure every individual has access to safe, respectful, and stigma-free sexual and reproductive health services, including safe abortion service and care.

About the project

The project ‘Access First’ is an initiative that aims to improve access to safe, legal, and stigmafree abortion services across Nepal by addressing critical gaps in provider capacity, public awareness, and local policy engagement. Despite existing legal provisions, many women, especially in rural and underserved areas, face barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and a shortage of trained healthcare providers. Through capacity-building workshops for doctors, pharmacists, and pharmacy students, community-based “Safe Choices” sessions, youth-centered digital campaigns led by local influencers, and targeted advocacy with local governments, the project seeks to build a strong network of pro-choice healthcare providers, enhance youth awareness and engagement, support pharmacists in offering accurate information, and ensure local health systems prioritize safe abortion services. Activities will be implemented in all seven provinces of Nepal, with a particular focus on provincial capitals, ultimately aiming to create a supportive environment where reproductive rights are respected and upheld.

Objective of the consultancy

To develop a comprehensive, evidence-informed, and context-appropriate VCAT training manual on Safe Abortion that can be tailored for doctors, aiming to reduce provider bias, improve knowledge of abortion laws and practices, and enhance their capacity to offer respectful, nondiscriminatory and stigma-free services while also making them enable to conduct ‘Safe Choice’ workshops. This will directly contribute to the organizational mission and to amplify the impact of project ‘Access First’.

Scope of work

• Conduct a desk review of existing national and global VCAT resources and abortion-related training materials.
• Hold consultations with doctors, medical educators, SRHR experts, and policymakers to identify knowledge gaps and training needs.
• Develop a session-wise training manual with objectives, key messages, participatory methodologies, and practical tools tailored for doctors.
• Include technical content on medical abortion procedures, legal provisions, ethics, patient rights, and managing complex or sensitive cases.
• Incorporate activities to challenge values and beliefs, such as case studies, role-plays, and guided reflections.
• Ensure alignment with Nepal’s legal framework and WHO standards on safe abortion care.
• Finalize the VCAT training manual and prepare a trainer’s guide for use for providing training to medical professionals.

Deliverables

The consultancy/firm/individual is required to provide following deliverables:

• Inception report with detailed methodology and timeline
• Training manual outline and structure
• Draft VCAT training manual and trainer’s guide for doctors
• Final print-ready VCAT manual and trainer’s guide

Working approach

The consulting team will work in close coordination with the program team of Doctors for Sexual and Reproduction Justice (SRJ Docs) in all the aspects of draft manual preparation, validation and expert review, and finalization of manual.

The approach will include regular communication with the project focal person to ensure the manual aligns with the project's objectives, safe abortion legal framework, national and international standards, and sensitivity towards culturally existing values and norms.

Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed within a month from the date of the agreement. A detailed timeline will be discussed and finalized during the inception phase.

Required Qualification

• Experience in designing training curricula, especially related to SRHR or abortion care.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Nepal Safe Abortion Policy and relevant clinical guidelines
• Facilitation experience and sensitivity to gender, equity, and human rights issues
• Strong writing and communication skills in English and Nepali

Budget and Payment

The consultant shall submit a financial proposal inclusive of professional fees, applicable taxes, and related costs. Payments will be made based on agreed milestones and satisfactory submission of deliverables.

Application Process

Interested consultants are requested to submit the following documents:

• Updated CV with relevant experience
• Technical proposal outlining methodology and work plan
• Financial proposal
• Sample of relevant previous work (if available)

All documents should be submitted to mail.srjdocs@gmail.com by 25th August 2025.