Terms of Reference (ToR) for Baseline Study for the Project: Empowering Migrants for Sustainable Economic Development (MEED)

Published Date: January 11, 2025                                                                                                       End date: January 18, 2025

Terms of Reference (ToR)

for

Baseline Study for the Project: Empowering Migrants for Sustainable Economic Development (MEED)

1. Background

Forum for Rural Welfare and Agricultural Reform for Development (FORWARD Nepal) is a non-profit, service-oriented national non-governmental organization established in 1997 to help disadvantaged groups and the rural poor. It is registered at the District Administration Office, Chitwan, and affiliated to the Social Welfare Council, Nepal. The organization aims at reducing poverty of marginalized communities through integrated and sustainable development interventions. FORWARD Nepal’s program activities are focused towards improving food and nutrition security, household incomes and resource conservation to contribute to sustainable livelihoods. It integrates social mobilization, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, farm forestry, biodiversity conservation, and value chain and market development in a multi-stakeholder approach in partnership with government, non-government organizations and private sectors both at national and local levels. The organization has its head office in Chitwan district of Nepal and project offices in various working districts. FORWARD implements projects focusing on target groups such as poor households, women, Dalits, Janajatis, and children. Over the past 28 years, it has implemented 115 projects in 64 districts involving a total of 0.6 million direct beneficiaries.

The project “Empowering Migrants for Sustainable Economic Development (MEED)” is a three-year initiative (January 2026–December 2028) being implemented by FORWARD Nepal with financial support from AWO International (BMZ - Social Structure Fund) in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality (RM), Chitwan District, Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Ichchhakamana RM is characterized by high levels of poverty, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, limited livelihood opportunities, and a high prevalence of seasonal and long-term migration, particularly among youth and economically active populations. Migration is largely driven by economic push factors, limited local employment, subsistence agriculture, and weak market linkages. Migrants and their families often face unsafe migration practices, psychosocial stress, lack of access to social security schemes, and limited institutional support at the local level.

The MEED project aims to address these challenges through a comprehensive migration system strengthening approach, combining livelihood diversification, market-driven skills development, psychosocial support, strengthening of social structures, and enhanced local government capacity for migration governance. To establish a robust evidence base for project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, FORWARD Nepal intends to conduct a baseline study at the beginning of the project. The project set a target of 1400 HHs with 6,300 populations (64.29% women and 37.71% men) as direct and 8400 populations as indirect. 

2. Purpose of the Baseline Study

The purpose of the baseline study is to:

• Establish benchmark values for key project indicators as defined in the MEED project logframe.
• Generate a comprehensive socio-economic, migration, livelihood, food security, and psychosocial profile of the target population
• Assess the existing capacity of social structures and local government systems related to migration management and livelihood promotion
• Inform evidence-based refinement of project strategies, targeting, and implementation modalities
• Provide a reference point for future monitoring, mid-term review, and final evaluation.

3. Specific Objectives

The baseline study will specifically aim to:

• Assess the socio-economic status, livelihood patterns, food and nutrition security, and vulnerability of target households,
• Analyze migration patterns, drivers, destinations, costs, benefits, risks, and decision-making processes,
• Examine the level of awareness and access to safe migration services, social security schemes, and government entitlements,
• Assess skills, employment status, entrepreneurial capacity, and local market opportunities for youth, returnee migrants, and migrant families,
• Assess psychosocial wellbeing, stress factors, and coping mechanisms related to migration,
• Map existing social structures (community self-help groups- CSHGs, youth clubs, cooperatives, networks) and assess their functionality and capacity
• Review local government policies, plans, budgets, and institutional mechanisms related to migration, livelihoods, youth engagement, and social protection
• Establish baseline values for cross-cutting themes including gender equality, social inclusion, disability, and climate vulnerability.

4. Required Qualifications of the Consultant

• Advanced degree in agriculture, sociology, economics, development studies, migration studies, or related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in baseline studies, migration, and livelihood projects
• Proven experience with mixed-method research
• Familiarity with Nepal’s migration, labor, and local governance context
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills in English

5. Deadline for Proposal

The interested and qualified consultant(s)/consulting firm must submit their technical and financial proposal along with legal documents (For consulting firm: Firm registration & renewal certificate, Latest tax clearance certificate 2081/82 and PAN/VAT Registration Certificate; and for individual: Citizenship certificate and PAN/VAT Registration Certificate) and CVs of key personnel to the FORWARD Nepal's email: vacancy@forwardnepal.org by 17:00 hours (COB) 18th January 2026 with the subject line: “Baseline Study - MEED Project”. The templates for the technical proposal, financial proposal, CV template, and self-declaration on conflict of interest and ethical conduct are provided in Annexes 1-4 ( Please download the annexes from the link Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3 and Annex 4).

For more details: please visit https://www.forwardnepal.org/announcements. Any queries may be sent to info@forwardnepal.org on or before 14:00 hours (14th January 2026). Applications received after the deadline or with incomplete documentation will be automatically disqualified. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the further evaluation process. FORWARD Nepal reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications without assigning any reason.

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