Terms of Reference (TOR) For the Consultant service to Prepare Municipal Strategic plan for the conservation and Sustainable use of Farm and Forest resources



1. Background

The Samvardhan Project, funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Cooperation through ADRA Austria, is implemented by ADRA Nepal in partnership with ANSAB Nepal, Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), and Bheri Environment Excellence Group (BEE Group). The project is being executed in Kohalpur Municipality and Rapti-Sonari Rural Municipality of Banke district, and Thakurbaba Municipality and Madhuwan Municipality of Bardiya district. Its primary aim is to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly community forest user groups (CFUGs) and farmer’s groups, to restore and conserve biodiversity and ecosystems for sustainable use and equitable sharing. The project focuses on five main outputs:

1. Strengthened capacities of forest user groups in sustainable forest management approaches in line with National Forest Stewardship Standards (NFSS)

2. Enhanced capacities of farmer groups in climate-smart farming and wildlife-resilient farming practices

3. Increased capacities of community-based enterprises in utilizing natural resources and ecosystem services

4. Improved capacities of public and private sectors in joint development and implementation of policies, guidelines, and plans at the local level on conservation and sustainable utilization of forest and farm resources

5. Increased awareness of national stakeholders and the public on key environmental goals, frameworks, and relevant issues aims to increase environmental awareness and enhance the implementation of national and international environmental commitments

In line with these objectives, the project focuses to support local governments in strengthening their strategic planning capacity through the preparation of Municipal Strategic plan for the conservation and Sustainable use of Farm and Forest resources. These strategic plans will serve as guiding frameworks for conservation-based local economic development, sustainable natural resource management, enterprise promotion, and ecosystem services, with ecotourism as a major and integral component. The plans will be developed through a participatory and evidence-based process and aligned with municipal priorities, local government mandates, and long-term development visions.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

Overall Objective

To prepare four separate, high-quality Strategic plan of Municipalites for the conservation and Sustainable use of Farm and Forest resources for a period of three to five (3–5) years for Thakurbaba Municipality, Madhuwan Municipality, Kohalpur Municipality, and Rapti-Sonari Rural Municipality, reflecting local priorities, institutional capacities, and sustainable development aspirations.

Specific Objectives

·   To conduct initial consultation meetings with each local government to identify and finalize priority sectors, thematic focus areas, and strategic directions.

·   To assess the current situation, opportunities, challenges, and existing initiatives relevant to each municipality/rural municipality.

·   To develop a structured strategic framework with clear vision, goals, objectives, and outcomes.

·   To integrate ecotourism with sustainable use of forest resource, farm systems, biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and local livelihoods in order to support conservation outcomes and inclusive local economic development.

·   To prepare phased action plans (short-, medium-, and long-term) with defined responsibilities, indicators, and monitoring mechanisms.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant shall undertake the following tasks separately for each municipality/rural municipality:

Task 1: Inception and Initial Municipal Consultation

·   Conduct inception meetings with Municipal/Rural Municipal Executives and designated focal persons.

·   Facilitate an initial consultation workshop with elected representatives, technical sections, ward representatives, and key stakeholders to:

• Identify and prioritize development needs and sectors
• Finalize thematic areas to be included in the strategic plan
• Ensure alignment with existing policies, plans, and annual programs

·   Prepare and submit an Inception Report including methodology, work plan, timeline, and agreed priorities.

The exact duration of the strategic plan (3 or 5 years) will be finalized during the initial municipal consultation.

Task 2: Situation Analysis and Data Collection

·   Review relevant municipal documents, policies, bylaws, plans, and secondary data.

·   Conduct key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and ward-level consultations.

·   Undertake participatory assessments, including resource mapping where relevant.

·   Carry out SWOT and sector-wise analysis with a focus on farm, forest, and ecosystem services.

Task 3: Strategic Framework Development

·         Develop a strategic framework including:

• Vision, goal, and strategic objectives
• Strategic outcomes and thematic pillars (e.g., governance, capacity development, enterprise development, research and extension, ecosystem services)
• Define a 3-5 year strategic framework, including phased implementation milestones aligned with municipal planning.
• Cross-cutting issues such as inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainability

Task 4: Ecotourism Strategy Development

·  Assess ecotourism potential, existing sites, infrastructure, and services linked to forest and farm landscapes.

·  Identify priority ecotourism products and destinations.

·  Propose strategies for community-based ecotourism, conservation-linked livelihoods, private sector engagement, and destination management.

·  Integrate ecotourism within sustainable forest management and farm-based local economic development.

Task 5: Action Plan and Implementation Framework

·  Prepare detailed action plans with short-, medium-, and long-term timelines.

·  Define roles and responsibilities of municipal sections, wards, and stakeholders.

·  Propose monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms.

Task 6: Validation and Finalization

·  Present draft strategic plans to each municipality/rural municipality.

·  Facilitate validation workshops to collect feedback from stakeholders.

·  Revise and finalize the strategic plans incorporative received inputs.

4. Methodology

The assignment will be conducted using a participatory, consultative, and evidence-based methodology. The consultant will combine desk reviews, field consultations, and analytical tools to ensure ownership by local governments and stakeholders.

Key methodological approaches include:

·   Desk review of policies, plans, and secondary data

·   Stakeholder consultations through KIIs, FGDs, and ward-level meetings

·   Participatory tools such as resource mapping and problem analysis

·   SWOT and sectoral analysis

·   Validation workshops to ensure accuracy, ownership, and feasibility

4. Expected Deliverables

For each municipality/rural municipality, the consultant shall submit:

·    Inception Report

·   Draft Municipal Strategic Plan

·   Final Municipal Strategic Plan (hard and soft copies- Language as required by the municipality)

·   Executive Summary (language as required by the municipality)

5. Duration of Assignment 

The assignment shall be completed within 70 days from the date of contract signing.

6. Reporting and Coordination 

• The consultant shall report to the respective Municipal/Rural Municipal Office through designated focal persons in close coordination with project team.

• Close coordination with designated municipal/rural municipal focal person, relevant technical sections, wards, and the Samvardhan Project team particularly Project Manager from ADRA Nepal and PAO from FECOFUN is required. 

7. Team Composition, Required Skills and Expertise

The consulting team must consist of at least two key professionals, including a Team Leader (Expert) and a Field Practitioner.

a) Team Leader / Expert

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Planning, Tourism, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in municipal or sectoral strategic planning, sustainable forest management, or agriculture-based livelihoods.
• Proven experience in leading and coordinating strategic planning assignments, preferably at municipal level in Nepal.
• Demonstrated experience in participatory planning and stakeholder facilitation.
• Strong understanding of local governance systems, forest and farm-based resource management, biodiversity conservation, and conservation-linked livelihoods.
• Excellent analytical, coordination, and report-writing skills.

b) Field Technician

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 2 years of field-level experience in sustainable forest management, farm systems, biodiversity conservation, or community-based livelihoods.
• Proven experience working with CFUGs, farmer groups, and local institutions.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, particularly at community level.

8. Budget and Remuneration

1. The total amount of NRP 1,05,000.00 (One lakh and Five Thousand Rupees only) is allocated per municipality/rural municipality for the consultant. A total of NRP 4,20,000.00 (Four Lakh and Twenty Thousand Rupees only) for all four Municipalities.

2. This total amount shall cover all costs related to the assignment, including:

Initial consultation meetings (Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Field visits and travel expenses, Data collection, analysis, and documentation, Preparation of draft and final strategic plans)

3. All costs related to the final validation meetings/workshops (including venue, logistics, refreshments, and participant-related expenses) will be borne by the implementing organization.

4. The payment schedule shall be finalized in the contract agreement and linked to the submission and approval of agreed deliverables.

The payment schedule includes

Applicable tax will be deducted in each payment.

9. Confidentiality

All data, reports, and outputs produced under this assignment shall remain the property of the concerned municipalities and the Samvardhan Project and shall not be disclosed or reused without prior written approval.

10. Who can apply?

Group of experts, research institutions, NGOs, or consulting firms can apply for this assignment.

A minimum of following is required for research institutions, or consulting firms:

• Legally registered in Nepal (e.g., Company registration, PAN/VAT), and should have all the legal clearances (e.g., Tax clearances)
• Proven experience conducting similar assignments.
• Propose CVs of at least two members (expert and field practitioner) as mentioned in section 7

If applied through a group of experts, then the team should propose CV: at least of expert and field Technician.

Please submit your Technical and Financial proposals along with the subject line EOI – Municipal Strategic Plan Consultancy to vacancy@fecofun.org.np with a CC: jayanjoshi64@gmail.com  no later than 16 January, 2026

10. Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the TOR and approach to the assignment: 30%
• Relevant experience in similar assignments: 30%
• Methodology and work plan: 30%
• Financial proposal and budget justification: 10%

11. Contact Information:

For further information, please contact:

info@fecofun.org.np

birkha.shahi1@gmail.com

rampou@gmail.com

977-1- 6616408, 6616421, 9848739276