Terms of Reference for Baseline Study of Food security & resilient livelihoods, focus on earthquake affected families through civil society strengthening (SUSTAIN)

Terms of Reference for Baseline Study of

Food security & resilient livelihoods, focus on earthquake affected families through civil society strengthening (SUSTAIN)

1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in Germany operating in the humanitarian assistance and development fields. It was established in 1962, as the German section of the “Freedom from Hunger Campaign”, one of the world’s first initiatives aimed at the eradication of hunger. Welthungerhilfe’s work is still dedicated to the following vision: All people have a right to a self-determined life in dignity and justice, free from hunger and poverty.

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has been operational in Nepal since 2012, and it is currently managing different projects in sixteen districts under eight thematic areas (sectors): Humanitarian Actions, Agriculture, Climate Reliance and Natural Resource Management, Nutrition & Health, WASH, Economic Development, Civil Society Empowerment, ICT4D and others. WHH works partnership with civil society in Nepal to empower socially marginalized and economically poor citizens, to strengthen their resilience and to ensure their right to adequate food and nutrition through a systems thinking approach.

The project “Food security & resilient livelihoods, focus on earthquake affected families through civil society strengthening - SUSTAIN” has been implementing in two municipalities of Jajarkot and Rukum West districts (Karnali Province) targeting smallholders’ farmers from vulnerable and marginalized ethnic group, landless households, CBOs members, youth and local government. At least 70% of the participants are women with proportional representation of Dalits, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized group. The overall objective of the project is “contribution to improved livelihoods in local food systems for resilient communities in Jajarkot and Rukum West Districts” and the outcome is "1,750 earthquake affected households in Jajarkot and Rukum West have improved their food and nutrition security, and the civil society and local governments promote climate resilient and nutrition-sensitive agriculture and economic resilience programs. The core problem the project seeks to mitigate is that “climate-related risks and stresses pose significant barriers to achieving household food security of marginalized households”. In an already food insecure situation of marginalized households, both climate risk and vulnerability are increasing. This is expected to steadily undermine local livelihoods, which in turn is anticipated to further increase vulnerability in the face of steadily increasing climate impacts - a vicious circle.

The project is expected to reach 2,500 marginalized households and individuals, CBOs FCHVs and two local government, ecopreneurs directly and indirectly 57,922 individuals from advocacy, campaign, policy support and awareness activities.

The study findings will serve as a reference for project implementation, impact measurement, and strategic decision-making to foster agro-ecological approach and sustainable enterprise development in both municipalities.

2. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The primary purpose of the baseline study is to collect data to establish baseline values for the indicators outlined in the project’s impact matrix. This data will provide a reference point for tracking progress and measuring the outcomes of the project throughout its implementation. The baseline study will specifically focus on the initial conditions of local food systems in the project areas, evaluating key indicators related to household food security status, climate resilience agriculture practices, nature-based solution, local government policies, priorities and resource mobilization, climate adaptation and water sources conservation. Additionally, the study will help refine project activities by identifying gaps, opportunities, and challenges concerning the capacities of local community-based organizations, on climate resilient and nutrition sensitive agriculture and advocacy. Ultimately, the findings will inform strategic interventions to ensure that the project effectively aligns with its objective of improving food security promoting the agri-food system will climate resilient solutions.

Click on the link below for the detailed TOR:

ToR_Baseline Study_SUSTAIN_NPL1109_Final.docx

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSAL

The interested and qualified consultant(s)/ consulting agency must submit their technical and financial proposal, including Supplier Declaration form (link given below), legal documents (registration & tax clearance in case of consulting agency and PAN/ Vat registration card for individual) and CVs of key personnel by 17:00 hours (COB) dated 3 July  2026 via e-tender portal: Public RFT - Baseline Study of Food security & resilient livelihoods, focus on earthquake affected families through civil society strengthening (SUSTAIN)

Any queries or concerns can be directly sent via the same e-tender portal by 26 June 2026

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further evaluation process. Welthungerhilfe Nepal reserves all the rights to reject any or all application without providing any reasons.