Terms of Reference: Drafting Palika/Municipality Level Policy on Integrated Care Economy Policy

Drafting Palika/Municipality Level Policy on Integrated Care Economy Policy 

TOR

1. Background:

Lumanti Support Group for Shelter is a non-government organization dedicated to the alleviation of urban poverty in Nepal through the improvement of shelter conditions. At Lumanti, shelter means the whole living environment, therefore, Lumanti's activities are wide-ranging. They include shelter upgrades, micro-finance, education and children's programmes, good governance, gender equity and advocacy. Lumanti means "memory" in the Newari language.

Lumanti in partnership with UN Women Nepal is implementing “Empower Women, Prosperous Nepal” in 10 municipalities of 3 provinces. Generational gender-based inequalities, entrenched social norms regarding gender roles, and insufficient awareness of the economic impact of unpaid care work are significant barriers to gender equality. These issues prevent women from accessing paid and professional opportunities. The absence of gender-responsive policies to address women’s unpaid care work further worsens the situation.

The issue of unpaid care work not only restrict women individually, but it also has broader implications for communities and economy as a whole. Almost 40 percent of women out of the labour force cited, unpaid care work as the primary reason for not being in labour force. Thus, it impedes progress toward gender equality, inclusive socio-economic empowerment, and the equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities between men and women.

Limited economic opportunities, inadequate access to technological advancements, and policy deficiencies confine women primarily to home-based caregiving roles. Further, the lack of supportive care infrastructure/center, and flexible breaks, fails to accommodate the diverse needs of women from an intersectional perspective.

So, this project 'Community Care' is seeking to carry out a contextual care needs assessment, which will further guide the piloting intervention, awareness, capacity building, policy dialogues and reflective dialogue on unpaid care engaging community.  Based on the local level consultation and assessment regards care economy observed huge gaps in all the targeted municipalities not having specific policy on "Care Unpaid Work and Care Economy".  There are policies exists regards GEDSI that addresses issues relate to women, women rights but not specific to Care and Care Economy which is significant in the context of emerging Care Issues that hardly impacting huge labor force of women can and contributing in National GDP which seems right time to consider and formalize in every level possible,  for that Policy is the key guiding document to address these issues and recognized women are also as labor force to contribute in National Economy.

The Legal Consultant will be responsible to provide expert analysis and support to drafting local level Care Policy based on drafted 'National Integrated Policy on Care Economy' including facilitate consultation/sharing with local government authorities and CBOs, review of existing local level policies relevant to Care Economy and support to draft and share with concerned authorities for the endorsement.

The key objective of the assignment is to facilitate consultation on Care Economy to draft Local Level Policy based on National Level Drafted Policy on Integrating Care and existing local level policies relevant to Gender and Care Economy.

To develop a legally sound, gender-responsive, and implementable Local Level Policy on Care Work through consultations, legal review, and policy drafting.

2. Geographical Coverage:

At least 4-5 Palikas/Municipalities of Karnali, Sudurpaschim and Madhesh provinces as targeted local government entities where Care Project is being implemented from past 1.5 Years.  However, the policy drafted exercise will also be carried out CBOs level in all mentioned Palikas/Municipalities. 

The assignment includes the travel in selected Palikas / Municipalities at least for two times each including consultation and prepared draft sharing with both government and in CBOs Level. 

3. Scope of the Assignment

• Desk review and assess of existing national laws, local government acts, gender policies, labor laws, and international frameworks related to care work of all selected Palikas/ Municipalities and drafted National Integrated Care Policy
• Prepared PPT based on reviewed documents for the intensive interaction and collect feedback / input from the local government authorities and CBOs.
• Develop draft policy document relevant to different contextual assessment of all different Palikas/Municipalities on an agreed clause incorporating from reviewed existing documents
• Conduct consultations with local government officials, women’s groups, CBOs and other stakeholders.
• Identify gaps in existing local policies and legal frameworks.
• Draft the Local Level Policy on Care Work, including purpose, scope, definitions, roles/responsibilities, institutional mechanisms, budgeting provisions, monitoring systems, and accountability measures.
• Provide legal advice to ensure the policy is compliant with national legislation and local governance systems.
• Presentation, Sharing and feedback collection from all the concerned authorities and CBOs to endorse prepared policies in respective Palikas/Municipalities.
• Submit the final policy document with all annexes

4. Targeted Groups

• Local level concerned departments and its representatives of selected 4-5 Palikas/Municipalities of Madhesh, Sudhur Paschim and Karnali Provinces
• Active and key selected CBOs of above mentioned Palikas / Municipalities (Preferred women groups/Network voices to be include)

5. Timeline and Deliverables

Timeline and Deliverables: 2nd Week of April starts from 14th April – 19th May 2026  (35 Days in total) 

Final policy document (English and/or Nepali as required) Submission to LUMANTI

6. Qualification and Experience

• The consultant can be individual or registered firm with the qualification of consultant of minimum Master’s degree in Law, Public Policy or a related Field
• At least 3-5 years of working experience in legal and policy analysis and to support development work specific to women empowerment and Care Economy
• Has good knowledge of current National, global issues specific to women's rights, women's empowerment, and gender equality
• Relevant certifications or qualifications as legal personnel experience working with local governments and policy formulation
• Strong interpersonal, excellent analytical and communication skills, particularly in interacting with government stakeholders as well as Community level organization
• Aware and update on the existing policies regards gender equality, women's rights and Unpaid Care Work

7. Reporting and Coordination

The Legal consultant will report to the Program Manager (DRR) and work closely with officer, province focal and community volunteers to execute planned travel, consultation and required information regards project and other existing policies.

8. Application Documents

Interested consultants/firms must submit EOI via provided link https://forms.gle/FPWGzQny6EHczFCs5 no later than 5:00 PM on 9th of April 2026. If applicants face problems filling out the Google form, please apply at lumanti.vacancy@gmail.com (Documents received within given time will only be included for review and shortlisting) 

A. Technical Proposal: Understanding of TOR, methodology, work plan, and CV(s) and relevant academic certificates of key personnel.

B. Financial Proposal: Detailed budget in NPR, separating:

• Include per day remuneration in gross (inclusive of applicable taxes)
• Travel Cost, Accommodation and Food during travel will be covered by organization's rules and regulations.