Notice for Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Consultant Service

Notice for Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Consultant Service for Assessment of Value Chain for Marketable Local Products Enhacing Adaptation to Heat and Flood in Dodhara Chadani and Krishnapur Municipalities, Kanchanpur District.

1. Background

Nepal National Social Welfare Association (NNSWA), established in 1990 and registered in 1994, is a leading NGO headquartered in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. Operating across Sudur Paschim Province, NNSWA is dedicated to promoting social justice and inclusive development. The organization primarily focuses on empowering the 3D communities Dalits (discriminated by caste), persons with disabilities, and deprived populations including freed Kamaiyas/Kamlaharis, displaced groups, women, children, PLHIVs, and those affected by leprosy.Its thematic areas include education and awareness, health and nutrition, disaster preparedness, livelihood promotion, economic empowerment, rights advocacy, capacity building, and research. Through collaboration with local governments and development partners, NNSWA works to build resilient communities and foster equity for Nepal’s most vulnerable groups.

The Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA), under the Climate Resilience for Communities (CRC) program implemented by NNSWA/Mercy Corps Nepal with support from the Z Zurich Foundation, aims to strengthen community resilience against climate-induced hazards. In Nepal, Mercy Corps, in collaboration with its implementing partner NNSWA, focuses on building resilience to floods and heatwaves in Sudurpaschim and Madhesh provinces.

Within Kanchanpur District of Sudurpaschim Province, communities, particularly in Dodhara Chadani and Krishnapur Municipalities are increasingly experiencing the adverse impacts of climate change, notably extreme heat and recurrent flooding. Local livelihoods in these areas are largely dependent on agriculture and small-scale marketable local products. However, the value chains for these products remain underdeveloped, climate-vulnerable, and economically inefficient, limiting communities’ adaptive capacity and income diversification opportunities.

This specialized consultancy service is required to assess the value chains of marketable local products as part of a smart climate adaptation strategy.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The Primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the value chain of key selected marketable local products in the Krishnapur & Dodharachadani municipalities, with an emphasis on integrating climate adaptation strategies related to heat and flood risks. The specific objectives of the assessment are:

• Analyze the vulnerability of existing livelihood portfolios to climate-related hazards (specifically floods and heatwaves), with a focus on women and marginalized households in the target communities.
• Identify and assess a range of potential climate-resilient livelihood options that address the key vulnerabilities and socio-economic constraints faced by these households. (based on future projections and scenario of climate change impacts in these communities- must be forward looking, helping us to propose transformative adaptation solutions).

Based on comparative value chain analysis, recommend a portfolio of viable, gender-responsive, and market-based livelihood pathways tailored to the capacities and contexts of marginalized households. 

3. Scope of Work

The Detailed scope of work is described as per the required objectives as below:

Livelihood Vulnerability Analysis (Objective 1)

Activity 1.1: Inception and Desk Review:

• Conduct a thorough review of existing literature, including VCA/VRA / CRMC reports, district development plans, government climate policies, previous market studies, and relevant project evaluations for the target area.
• Develop a detailed Inception Report outlining the final methodology, data collection tools (FGD guides, KII questionnaires), sampling strategy, and a detailed work plan.

Activity 1.2: Primary Data Collection (Fieldwork):

• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with municipal officials (DRRM and agriculture focal points), local leaders, cooperative heads, and representatives from local NGOs and financial institutions.
• Conduct gender-segregated Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, ensuring specific sessions for women, landless households, and other marginalized groups to understand their specific livelihood portfolios.
• Utilize participatory tools such as seasonal calendars (for income, hazards, and expenses) and hazard impact mapping to understand how floods and heatwaves disrupt specific livelihood activities (e.g., crop loss, inability to do wage labor, livestock illness).

Activity 1.3: Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Develop detailed Livelihood Profiles for different wealth and social groups, outlining primary/secondary income sources, assets, and dependencies.
• Analyze the direct and indirect impacts of floods and heatwaves on each livelihood activity, identifying critical vulnerabilities (e.g., reliance on a single crop, lack of cold storage, limited access to alternative income during heatwaves).
• Produce a comprehensive Livelihood Vulnerability Analysis Report.

Identification of Potential Livelihood Options (Objective 2)

Activity 2.1: Long-listing of Options:

• Based on the vulnerabilities identified in Phase 1, brainstorm a "long list" of potential climate-resilient livelihood options. This will be informed by the desk review, community consultations, and KIIs with technical experts (agriculture, livestock, off-farm enterprise).

Activity 2.2: Screening and Short-listing:

• Develop a set of screening criteria in collaboration with the project team. Criteria will include:
  • Climate Resilience: Effectiveness against floods and/or heatwaves.
  • Economic Viability: Potential for income generation and market demand.
  • Social Inclusivity: Low barrier to entry for women and marginalized groups.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Minimal negative environmental impact.
• Apply these criteria to screen the long list and produce a "short list" of 10-15 promising options for deeper assessment.

Activity 2.3: Feasibility Assessment:

• Conduct further targeted KIIs with market actors (traders, processors), technical experts, and potential producers to assess the initial feasibility of the short-listed options.
• Produce a Report on Potential Climate-Resilient Livelihood Options, detailing the short list and the rationale for each option's inclusion.

Comparative Value Chain Analysis & Recommendations (Objective 3)

Activity 3.1: Selection of Value Chains for Deep-Dive Analysis:

• In a validation workshop with the project team and key stakeholders, select the top 3-5 most promising options from the short list to undergo a full value chain analysis.

Activity 3.2: Value Chain Mapping and Analysis:

• For each selected value chain, map the core actors (input suppliers, producers, collectors, processors, retailers), functions, and flow of products, information, and finance.
• Analyze the enabling environment (policies, infrastructure, services).
• Identify key constraints and opportunities within each chain, with a specific focus on:
  • Climate Risks: Where is the chain most vulnerable to floods and heat?
  • GESI Integration: Where are women/marginalized groups currently participating, and what are the barriers to their upgrading?
  • Market Dynamics: Who holds power? What are the pricing structures?

Activity 3.3: Development of Final Recommendations:

• Based on comparative analysis, develop a final, prioritized portfolio of recommended livelihood pathways.
• For each recommended pathway, develop a detailed "Livelihood Pathway Profile" including:
  • Description of the opportunity.
  • Target producer profile.
  • Required skills, input, and investments.
  • Key risks (climate and market) and mitigation strategies.
  • A simple business case/profitability estimate.
• Recommended interventions for the project to support (e.g., skill training, market linkage, input access).

4. Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for submitting the following deliverables:

• Inception Report: Detailing the consultant's understanding of the SoW, proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Draft Feasibility Study Report: A comprehensive report covering all aspects outlined in Section 3, including findings, analysis, conclusions, and preliminary recommendations. This draft will be submitted for review and feedback.
• Presentation of Findings: A presentation of key findings and recommendations to the ZCRA partners (Mercy Corps, NNSWA, Krishnapur & Dodharachadani Municipality. 
  • Final Value chain Assessment Study Report: A revised and finalized report incorporating feedback, including:
  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction and Background
  • Methodology
  • Detailed Findings of Value chain Assessment (Map value chain actors and processes using the Value Chain Mapping Framework (input–production–processing–marketing–consumption).
  • Identify gaps in existing value chain of the identified products/Sectors.
  • Assess profitability, production costs, and market demand.
  • Clear Conclusions and Recommendations regarding the value chain analysis with fulfilling the gaps identified in existing value chain of targeted products/commodities affected by the climatic hazards (heat and Flood) and clear Intervention for Implementations in connection with Heat and Flood hazard perspectives.
  • Proposed Business Model for the enterprise.
  • Appendices (e.g., survey tools, list of interviewees, results if applicable).

Summary report in Nepali and English languages (target audience, community and municipality)

5. Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 8 weeks of the contract signing date. A detailed work plan with specific deadlines for each delivery will be agreed upon during the inception phase. Tentative timeline for the assignment:

1. Week 1: Inception report
2. Week 2-3: Field visit 
3. Week 4: Result finding and Sharing
4. Week 5: Draft report  results sharing
5. Week 6: Feedback and Inputs on Draft Report
6. Week 7: Feedbacks incorporation & Finalization
7. Week 8: Final Report Sharing

6. Minimum Qualifications and Experience

For the assignment the consultant/firm should possess.

• An individual consultant/ registered firm having experience in value chain analysis of agricultural & Livestock products for Market System Development and Market assessment with at least 5 years in climate change & DRR context.
• Experience integrating climate adaptation into livelihood strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting livelihood and market-based assessments in rural Nepal.
• Strong understanding of climate change adaptation and its linkages with market and livelihood resilience.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and report writing skills in English
• Adequate knowledge in integrating a wide range of data for value chain analysis and product identification.

The maximum expected number of days of engagement for agricultural experts is 8 weeks in total and 50% engagement for livestock expert.

7. Reporting and Management

The consultant will report directly to Project Coordinator CRC, NNSWA and will work closely with Province Coordinators (Sudurpashim and Madhesh), Mercy Corps. Weekly check-in for progress update will be planned and agreed while signing agreement.

8. Others

The Consultant/ firms must adhere to the Mercy Corps/ NNSWA Data Protection Principles and maintain confidentiality. The data and report will be intellectual property of NNSWA and Mercy Corps, unauthorized use of data and report will be punishable by local law.

9. Consultancy firms or individual are required to submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest
• Technical proposal, which includes objectives and methods with detailed timeline.
• CVs of professional personnel proposed for this project
• One-page financial proposal covering all major costs
• Copy of company registration certificate (not applies for Individual consultant)
• Copy of Citizenship Certificate for Individual Consultant
• Copy of PAN/VAT registration certificate
• Experience of Previous work

Interested candidates/firms/companies are requested to submit all required documents as mentioned above to the NNSWA Head Office, Kanchanpur, during office hours, or via email at nnswaprocurement2020@gmail.com no later than 21st November 2025.

10. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

11. Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

12. Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.