Terms of Reference (TOR)

Terms of Reference

for

Development and Institutionalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Municipal Innovation Hubs and Technical Support to Municipal Policy Dialogues

1. Background

Heifer Project Nepal (HPN), a legally separate entity from Heifer International Nepal, was established in 1996 with the mission of ending hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. The organization works in partnership with local, national, and international stakeholders to empower communities by promoting food security and improving the quality of life through sustainable livelihoods in agriculture and livestock farming. This initiative focuses on engaging women and youth as catalysts for change, with households acting as economic hubs. By prioritizing sustainable development, job creation, food security, income generation, and employment opportunities, HPN aims to create lasting, positive change in the country.

Nepal's increasing digital connectivity and large youth population present significant opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, public service delivery and civic participation. However, young women and men, particularly those from rural, marginalized and underserved communities, continue to face challenges related to digital skills, access to technology, mentorship, markets and networks.

The UDAAN (Unleashing Digital Acceleration and Ambition of Nepali Youth) project is a nationwide initiative led by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab), in partnership with HPN, NAAMII and Women in Animation (WIA), with support from the European Union. The project aims to strengthen digital skills, innovation and entrepreneurship and create pathways to employment and participation in the digital economy.

UDAAN is implemented through four interconnected components:

PATHSHALA – Digital Skills Development,

KARYASHALA – Innovation and Experimentation,

KARMASHALA – Employment and Career Pathways, and 

NITISHALA – Policy and System Strengthening.

Within NITISHALA, UDAAN seeks to strengthen local digital governance and create sustainable municipal mechanisms through Innovation Hubs, policy dialogues and civic engagement. The Innovation Hub is intended to provide a practical municipal-level platform for digital learning, mentorship, innovation, youth engagement, experimentation, networking and access to opportunities.

The project is implementing the Innovation Fellowship in five partner municipalities: Punarbas, Belauri, Laljhadi, Tikapur and Lamkichuha. Innovation Fellows are embedded within the municipalities to support digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, digital literacy, innovation activities and institutionalization of municipal innovation mechanisms.

To ensure that the Innovation Hubs are not merely physical spaces but become functional, inclusive and sustainable municipal mechanisms, UDAAN intends to engage a qualified consultant to develop practical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/guidelines for operating the Innovation Hubs. The consultant will also be required to engage meaningfully in municipal-level policy dialogues so that the SOPs and sustainability arrangements are grounded in local priorities, evidence, stakeholder perspectives and municipal commitments.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise to:

1. Develop practical, context-sensitive and sustainable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/guidelines for Municipal Innovation Hubs with Innovation Hub activity calendar in the five partner municipalities.
2. Consult with municipal authorities, Innovation Fellows, youth, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, CSOs/CBOs and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the SOP addresses the community need and potential.
3. Participate in and provide technical support to relevant municipal policy dialogues, particularly discussions related to Innovation Hubs, digital learning spaces, mentoring, youth engagement and municipal digital transformation.
4. Support municipalities to clarify the operational, institutional, management, partnership and sustainability arrangements required for effective functioning of the Innovation Hubs.
5. Produce a final SOP/guideline package that can be adopted, adapted or institutionalized by the partner municipalities.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant or consulting team should have:

Education: Master's degree or higher in public policy, public administration, development studies, digital transformation, information technology, management, social sciences or a related field.

Professional Experience: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of local governance, institutional development, digital transformation, innovation ecosystem development, public-sector innovation, youth engagement, development of SOPs/guidelines, policy dialogue/facilitation.

Specific Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in:

• Developing operational manuals/SOPs for public or development programmes;
• Working with local governments in Nepal;
• Designing or managing innovation hubs, learning spaces or similar facilities;
• Facilitating participatory policy dialogues;
• Working with youth and entrepreneurship programmes;
• Stakeholder consultation and institutional assessment;
• Digital learning or technology-enabled development;
• Municipal planning and budgeting processes.

Skills

• Strong facilitation and consultation skills;
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills;
• Ability to translate complex concepts into practical procedures;
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills;
• Good understanding of Nepali local government context;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

How to apply: 

Interested individual and organizations are invited to submit applications to Procurement-NP@heifer.org with the title: “Application for development and institutionalization SOP” by no later than 23 November 2026, 5:00 PM along with following documents.

1. Cover letter
2. A technical and financial proposal (max. 3 pages), outlining methodology and workplan
3. A CV (max. 3 pages) highlighting relevant experiences.
4. Company registration
5. PAN/VAT certificate 
6. Tax clearance certificate (FY 082-83)

Note: VAT registered vendors are encouraged to apply.

HPN reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and to annul the selection process and reject all Proposals at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to affected individuals.