Terms of Reference (ToR) - Consultancy Firm for Photo Story Book Documentation and Publication

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy Firm for Photo Story Book Documentation and Publication

NEXUS Project: Risk to Resilience through Collective Local Actions (2022–2026)

1. Background

The NEXUS Project: Risk to Resilience through Collective Local Actions has been implemented in Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, from 2022 to 2026 with the objective of strengthening community resilience, promoting climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), nature-based solutions (NbS), sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive local development.

The project has contributed significantly to strengthening urban resilience and sustainable development through community-driven interventions aligned with the four priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030):

1. Understanding Disaster Risk 
2. Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance 
3. Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience 
4. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness and Building Back Better 

Over the implementation period, numerous success stories, lessons learned, innovations, and community transformations have emerged. To capture and showcase these achievements, a comprehensive Photo Story Book will be developed and published. The publication will serve as a knowledge product highlighting the project's impacts, good practices, and contributions toward resilient and sustainable communities.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to engage a qualified consultancy firm to document, design, edit, and publish a high-quality Photo Story Book that visually and narratively captures the journey, achievements, lessons learned, and impacts of the NEXUS Project from 2022 to 2026.

The Photo Story Book will provide evidence-based stories demonstrating how collective local actions have contributed to resilience building, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable development in Changunarayan Municipality.

3. Objectives

The specific objectives are:

• To document key achievements and success stories of the NEXUS Project from 2022–2026. 
• To visually present community transformation through high-quality photographs and human-centered storytelling. 
• To demonstrate the contribution of project interventions to the four pillars of the Sendai Framework. 
• To capture lessons learned, innovations, and good practices for knowledge sharing and future replication. 
• To produce a professional publication for dissemination among government agencies, development partners, communities, and other stakeholders. 

4. Scope of Work

The consultancy firm shall undertake the following tasks:

A. Inception and Planning

B. Field Documentation

C. Documentation of Key Interventions

1. Women-Led Enterprieses and Economic Resilience
2. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
3. Resilience Assessment and Governance
4. Disaster Preparedness and Capacity Building
5. Participatory Risk Assessment and Planning
6. Climate Change and DRR Mainstreaming
7. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Livelihoods
8. Community Infrastructure and Public Spaces

D. Story Development and Publication

5. Methodology

The consultancy firm is expected to apply a participatory and evidence-based approach including:

• Desk review 
• Field observations 
• Photography 
• Beneficiary interviews 
• Key informant interviews 
• Focus group discussions 
• Storytelling and narrative development 
• Graphic design and publication

6. Expected Deliverables

7. Expected Structure of the Photo Story Book

The publication should include:

• Foreword
• Project Overview 
• NEXUS Project Journey (2022–2026) 
• Alignment with the Sendai Framework 
• Urban Resilience and Sustainable Development 
• Thematic Success Stories 
• Human Interest Stories 
• Lessons Learned 
• Key Achievements and Results 
• Voices from Communities 
• Conclusion and Way Forward 

8. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be completed within the 1st week of December 2026 from the date of contract signing.

9. Required Qualifications of the Consultancy Firm

The consultancy firm should have:

• At least 3 years of experience in publication development, documentation, and communication products. 
• Proven experience in producing photo story books, annual reports, case studies, or knowledge products for development projects. 
• Experience in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, resilience, urban development, and community-based development projects. 
• Strong expertise in photography, storytelling, graphic design, and publication. 
• Qualified team including: 
  • Team Leader/Documentation Specialist 
  • Writer/Editor 
  • Professional Photographer 
  • Graphic Designer/Layout Expert

10. Reporting and Supervision

The consultancy firm will work closely with the NEXUS Project team and Changunarayan Municipality. All deliverables shall be reviewed and approved by the designated project focal person before finalization.

11. Ownership and Copyright

All photographs, narratives, designs, publications, and related materials produced under this assignment shall become the property of the project and its implementing partners/ISET Nepal. The consultancy firm shall not reproduce, publish, or distribute any materials without prior written approval from the client.

Link:

RFP-Documentation & Publication

Proposal Submission Form