Terms of Reference for Research Consultant

Terms of Reference for Research Consultant

Comparative Cost Analysis: Institutional Care vs. Community-Based Care for Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities in Nepal

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, a commitment directly aligned with the rights enshrined in Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Our work operationalizes the right to live independently and be included in the community by mainstreaming mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. We focus on marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, Dalits, women, and broader populations, to advance the UNCRPD’s mandates of non-discrimination, accessibility, and the provision of necessary support services for full inclusion and participation in society.

B. Project Information

This research is a core activity under KOSHISH’s project “Pioneering a Replicable Model for Strengthening Family Support and meaningful inclusion in community on equal basis with others for Women & Girls with Psychosocial Disabilities,” supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF). The project aims to promote community support system and services through advocacy, direct support, and evidence generation. A key activity is a “Research study on institutionalization/long stay care facilities cost Vs. family and community-based care cost.”

The findings will provide critical evidence to:

• Inform advocacy and sensitization 
• Support the filing of evidence-based Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to amend laws that promote institutionalization/ long stay care facilities.
• Offer an economic rationale for redirecting resources towards rights-based, community support systems.

C. Purpose of Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a rigorous comparative analysis of the financial, social, and human costs associated with institutional/long stay care facilities care versus family and community-based care for persons with psychosocial disabilities in Nepal. The study will generate robust, disaggregated evidence to inform policy reform and advocacy strategies.

Specific Objectives:

1. To quantify and compare the direct financial costs per person of institutional/ long stay care facilities care versus community-based/family care models.
2. To analyze indirect costs, including social costs (e.g., loss of family productivity).
3. To assess the cost-effectiveness and outcomes of both models in terms of individual well-being, social inclusion, and long-term sustainability.
4. To develop actionable recommendations for policymakers, donors, and advocates on resource allocation for community inclusion and support.

D. Methodology

The Consultant must propose a detailed, mixed-methods methodology within their Technical Proposal. The methodology must include:

• Desk Review & Policy Analysis: Comprehensive review of national laws, policies, budget allocations, institutional reports, and international best practices on deinstitutionalization economics.
• Sampling Strategy: Purposive selection of participants, representative institutions (government and non-government) and matched cases of individuals/families supported in community settings. Ensure inclusion of women, girls, and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Data Collection Tools:
  • Structured Cost-Data Instruments to capture direct expenditures (e.g., infrastructure, staffing, food, utilities in institutions/ long stay care facilities vs. home-based support, livelihood aid, personal assistance, peer support in communities).
  • Semi-Structured Interview Guides for Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with institution administrators/owners, government officials, and service providers.
  • In-Depth Interview (IDI) Guides for persons with lived experience (long stay care facilities) and their family members.
  • Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Guides for community members, peer support groups, and local government representatives.
• Data Analysis Plan: Quantitative analysis (using Excel, SPSS/Stata) to calculate and compare unit costs. Qualitative thematic analysis (using NVivo/Atlas.ti or similar) of social and human rights outcomes. Triangulation of data to provide holistic findings.

E. Scope of Work

The Consultant must manage the full research cycle, including:

1. Inception: Finalize detailed work plan and methodology in consultation with KOSHISH.
2. Tool Development: Design, translate (Nepali/English), and pre-test all data collection tools.
3. Ethical Fieldwork: Obtain informed consent, recruit and train enumerators (with sensitivity to psychosocial disability), conduct data collection, and ensure confidentiality and safety of participants.
4. Data Management & Analysis: Clean, code, and analyze data. Integrate quantitative and qualitative findings.
5. Reporting & Validation: Produce a draft report, present findings to KOSHISH for feedback, and finalize the report.
6. Dissemination Support: Prepare a policy brief and presentation for advocacy targets.

F. Deliverables

1. Inception Report: Detailed work plan, final methodology, and data collection tools.
2. Cleaned Quantitative and Qualitative Datasets (anonymized).
3. Draft Final Report for review.
4. Presentation of Draft Findings to KOSHISH.
5. Final Report (max 35-40 pages plus annexes), structured with Executive Summary, Introduction, Methodology, Findings, Integrated Analysis, Conclusions, and Specific Recommendations.
6. Policy Brief (4-6 pages) summarizing key evidence for advocates and policymakers.

G. Required Qualification and Expertise

• Master’s degree in Economics, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience conducting economic analyses, cost-effectiveness studies, or policy research in the development sector, preferably in disability rights, mental health, or social protection.
• Strong understanding of Nepal’s public financial management, social welfare schemes, and disability policy landscape.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills in English.
• Experience working with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and sensitivity to psychosocial disability issues (Preferred).

H. Payment Modality

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

• First installment: 30% (after submission and approval of Inception Report)
• Second installment: 30% (after submission of satisfactory Draft Final Report)
• Final installment: 40% (after submission and approval of all Final Deliverables)

I. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• 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 will remain the property of KOSHISH. The Consultant must ensure confidentiality of all research participants and data, and any publication requires prior written approval from KOSHISH.

K. Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will report directly to the MEAL Coordinator at KOSHISH and work closely with the project team.

L. Application Process

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• A technical proposal including all elements mentioned in the methodology.
• A financial proposal outlining the cost structure.
• 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.

Proposals should reach KOSHISH Central Office, Balkhu, Kathmandu by 20th February, 2026. Please enclose “Proposal for Cost Comparison Study: institutionalization/long stay care facilities cost Vs. family and community-based care cost.” in a sealed envelope.

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.