Expression of Interest for Research Consultant



Terms of Reference for Research Consultant

A. Organizational Background

KOSHISH is a national-level organization established in 2008 to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Nepal. Registered with the District Administration Office, Kathmandu (Reg. No. 086/065) and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council, Nepal (Reg. No. 25676), KOSHISH is recognized as an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) focused on psychosocial disability. It is a member organization of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN) since 2066/07/19 B.S.

Guided by the principle of “NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US,” KOSHISH advocates for the inclusive and meaningful participation of individuals with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities. The organization works to mainstream mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, with a focus on marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities Dalits, women, and broader communities. 

B. Project Information

The Promoting Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Nepal project is a four-year initiative (2024-2027) jointly funded by Australian Aid and CBM Global, and implemented by KOSHISH in close coordination with the governments.

This project aims to improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities and their families by empowering right-holders, mainstreaming Mental Health considerations or services, and disability inclusion into local government systems, and promoting suicide prevention strategies through multi-sectoral collaboration in the project municipalities (i.e. Siranchowk RM, Palungtar M, Gorkha M, MadhyaNepal M, Besisahar M, Marsyangdi RM, Rainas M, Sundarbazar M, Pokhara MPC) of Gorkha, Lamjung, and Kaski districts of Gandaki Province.

Project objective: 

The project aims to contribute to an inclusive environment where persons with psychosocial disabilities and other underrepresented or disadvantaged groups are able to fully enjoy their rights.

PSO01: Improved mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in communities through empowering the rights holders and mainstreaming mental health and disability inclusion into local government system.

PSO02: Suicide Prevention Strategies are adapted and promoted through multi-sectoral collaboration in project municipalities.

Result 1: Person with and who are at risk of psychosocial disabilities are empowered to claim their rights with the local level government.

Result 2: Improved federal, provincial and local government system for CRPD compliant policies, program, and services including mental health.

Result 3: Reduced stigma and barriers associated with mental health and suicide to promote community inclusion in partnership with local government.

Result 4: Improved psychosocial well-being among adolescent girls and boys at schools.

Result 5: Strengthened government and community mechanism for suicide prevention and response in collaboration with local, provincial and federal governments.

Expected outcome:

Empowering person with mental health conditions, psychosocial disabilities, and other marginalized groups to achieve improved mental health and psychosocial well-being by promoting their rights, reducing stigma, and ensuring the integration of CRPD-compliant mental health and suicide prevention services across strengthened government systems and inclusive community support system, and school settings.

Target beneficiaries:

People who are at risk and mental health issues and psychosocial disability-8,636 reach through different awareness, sensitization campaigns on MHPSS and suicide prevention-13,172.

• Person with disabilities persons with mental health conditions, women, children, lived experience, and family members, and persons living in poverty, etc
• Ministry of Social Development, Provincial Health Directorate, Police office, media personnel, Nepal Federation of Disabled Network, Provincial National Human Right Commission

C. Purpose of Consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct research to generate a detailed understanding of suicide prevalence, suicide prevention mechanisms, systemic gaps, and community resilience, and to formulate evidence based actionable recommendations for integrating suicide prevention into local and provincial plans and policies by connecting it with the country initiatives.

The Consultant must achieve the following specific objectives:

Objective 1: To identify the key contributing factors (socio-economic, cultural, mental health, service access) associated with suicide and establish the socio-demographic profile of suicide prevalence 

Objective 2: To critically analyze existing suicide prevention strategies, policies, mechanisms, and multi-sectoral coordination structures at the district and local levels in light of the recommendations outlined in the WHO LIVE LIFE document.

Objective 3: To assess the current functioning and effectiveness of community surveillance systems and crisis management mechanisms, including perspectives from survivors (where ethically feasible and appropriate), family members, police/emergency services, health facility emergency setups, Local Level Suicide Prevention Coordination Committees, and Ward Committees.

Objective 4: To gather perspectives from key stakeholders and develop concrete, evidence-based recommendations for the effective integration and strengthening of suicide prevention within local and provincial plans, policies, and budgets by connecting it with the country initiatives.

D. Methodology

The Consultant must propose a detailed methodology within their Technical Proposal. The methodology must include:

Sampling Strategy: Clear justification and description for quantitative sampling (sample size calculation, selection criteria) and qualitative sampling (purposive selection of KIIs, IDIs, case studies and FGD participants).

Data Collection Tools: Validated questionnaires (Household survey), semi-structured KII/IDI/FGD guides, and desk review protocols. Tools must also be developed in Nepali and pre-tested.

Data Collection Procedures: Detailed plans for ethical recruitment, informed consent, data collection (training of enumerators,supervision), data management, and confidentiality assurance (NHRC ethical considerations and handling sensitive information). Specific protocols for engaging with survivors and families must be outlined, emphasizing safety, anonymity, and referral support.

Data Analysis Plan: Separate and integrated analysis plans for quantitative (e.g., SPSS/Stata/R) and qualitative (e.g., Thematic Analysis using NVivo/Atlas.ti) data, leading to convergent interpretation.

Ethical Considerations: Comprehensive plan adhering to national and international ethical guidelines for suicide research, including obtaining ethical approval from a NHRC before fieldwork commences. The plan must include strategies for minimizing distress, ensuring confidentiality, providing referrals for distressed participants, and secure data handling.

E. Scope of Work

The Consultant must manage the full research cycle, including:

1. Research Planning & Proposal Finalization

• • Conduct a desk review of literature (WHO suicide prevention strategy and preventing suicide resources, Nepal Police Suicide Research Report, project documents, Gate Keeper Manual, National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan, SDG, WHO LIVE LIFE document, WHO Suicide Prevention Strategies and Preventing Suicide Resource Series, national health policy & public health act, and other relevant documents to inform tool development and contextual understanding.
    • Develop a detailed research proposal including:
      • Research Objective, Methodology, sampling strategy, and data collection tools
      • Ethical considerations, activity timeline, team roles, and logistics
    • Incorporate feedback from KOSHISH, CBM Global, and other stakeholders

2. Tool Development & Pre-testing

• Design and pre-test quantitative (household surveys) and qualitative (KII/IDI/FGD) tools in both English and Nepali, in coordination with KOSHISH/CBM Global

3. Ethical Consideration

• Secure approval from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC)
• Implement ethical protocols throughout the study, including:
  • Safeguarding, data protection, and referral pathways for distressed participants
  • Training enumerators on handling sensitive information

4. Field Data Collection & Coordination

• Recruit, train, and supervise enumerators (ethical considerations, data collection techniques, and handling sensitive information)
• Conduct data collection in target districts using web-based tools for real-time monitoring
• Ensure data quality, confidentiality, and safety
• Coordinate closely with KOSHISH for field visit, issue resolution, and policy compliance
• Support KOSHISH staffs in monitoring visits during data collection

5. Data Management & Analysis

• Clean, code, and analyze data using:
  • SPSS/Stata/R (quantitative)
  • NVivo/Atlas.ti (Thematic qualitative analysis)
• Triangulate findings across methods to validate findings and provide a holistic understanding
• Interpret results against provincial/national suicide prevention priorities

6. Reporting & Dissemination

• Debriefing of initial findings
• Submit a draft report for review
• Present findings to KOSHISH and CBM Global and incorporate feedback
• Deliver a final report with:
  • Evidence-based recommendations for policy integration
  • Clean datasets, consent forms, and a manuscript for joint publication
• Facilitate dissemination workshops to relevant stakeholders

7. Coordination & Communication

• Maintain regular updates with KOSHISH
• Organize periodic review meetings and debriefings to KOSHISH
• Attend periodic review meetings and debriefings as requested by KOSHISH

8. Feedback Incorporation

• Incorporate feedback from KOSHISH/CBM Global within 5 working days and timely response to the request of KOSHISH/CBM Global

F. Deliverables

The consultancy is expected to be accomplished in between September 1, 2025 to February 29, 2026.

The Consultant must submit the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report: Detailed work plan, final methodology, data collection tools, NHRC ethical approval documentation
2. Comprehensive Desk Review Report
3. Cleaned Quantitative and Qualitative Datasets (anonymized)
4. Draft Final Report: Incorporating findings against all objectives, preliminary analysis, and draft recommendations
5. Presentation of Draft Findings: To the KOSHISH and key stakeholders
6. Final Report: Incorporating feedback, structured with Executive Summary, Introduction, Methodology, Findings (by objective), Integrated Analysis, Conclusions, and Detailed Recommendations. The report must be concise, evidence-based, and action-oriented
7. Policy Brief (2-4 pages): Summarizing key findings and recommendations for policymakers
8. Manuscript of research for research journal publication
9. PowerPoint Presentation of Final Findings

G. Required qualification and expertise

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Psychology, or related field with at least 5 years’ proven experience with three researches conducted on public health or mental health field, evaluations, or policy analysis; 
• strong knowledge of Nepal’s mental health systems, policies, national frameworks, and police suicide data/reports; 
• excellent analytical and report-writing skills with ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights
• The consultant/firm applying for this research study must be registered on VAT (registered firm/company will be given priority)

H. Payment Modality

The total payment will be made in three installments, based on the completion of key deliverables: 

    i. First installment: 40% (After submission of inception)

    ii. Second installment: 30% (After submitting draft report)

    iii. Final installment: 30% (After final report submission)

I. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Technical proposal and methodology (40%)
• Relevant experience and qualifications (30%)
• Financial proposal (20%)
• Quality of previous work (10%)

J. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

All data, reports, and intellectual property generated during the assignment will remain property of KOSHISH. The Consultant agrees that information obtained remains confidential, and any publication or citation needs prior written approval from KOSHISH. The consultant/firm must ensure confidentiality of all research participants and data.

K. Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant/Firm will report directly to the MEAL Coordinator and the Technical Lead, with the DMEAL Officer providing supplementary support. The MEAL Coordinator will serve as the primary contact for all communication and regular progress updates, while the DMEAL officer will facilitate coordination between KOSHISH and the Consultant/Firm.

L. Application Process

Interested qualified consultants/firms are invited to submit the following:

• A technical proposal including all the elements mentioned in methodology:
• A financial proposal outlining the cost structure including expected working days and cost of the team members
• Organizational Profile and CVs of key personnel highlighting relevant experience.
• Examples of similar work conducted in the past.
• Copy of legal registration and tax clearance certificates.

The proposal should reach the address below either by courier or hand delivery by 24th September 2025, before COB. Please enclose “The proposal for research on suicide prevention in Gandaki Province” in a sealed envelope and drop it at the following address:

KOSHISH Central Office, Balkhu, Kathmandu (For location, please visit www.koshish.org.np)

Note: KOSHISH reserves the right to discard any applications that do not meet the specified qualifications or that do not align with our procurement criteria.