Terms of Reference(Consultancy Services to Review of Acts/Policies Related to Food Systems and Stakeholders Mapping & Consultation)

Terms of Reference

(Consultancy Services to Review of Acts/Policies Related to Food Systems and Stakeholders Mapping & Consultation)

1.    Background:

Heifer International is a global non-profit working with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. In Nepal, Heifer has been partnering with smallholder farmers for over 25 years, helping them build sustainable livelihoods through agriculture, livestock, and market-driven enterprises. We work closely with women-led cooperatives, farmer organizations, and local governments to improve productivity, strengthen value chains, and connect farmers to markets.

Heifer Nepal’s programs reach thousands of farming households across the country, focusing on sustainable living income, improving food security, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. The organization’s long-term approach builds the capacity of farmers and their institutions to become self-reliant, while fostering collaboration with private sector actors, government agencies, and development partners.

Currently, Heifer Nepal is redefining its three Signature Programs — Strengthening Smallholder Livestock Value Chain (SLVC), Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture (VITA), and Milky Way — to align with our New Program Model which is designed to support thriving and resilient smallholder farmer household. This model is anchored on four key objectives:

1. Promoting the collective agency, power, and resilience of farmer groups.
2. Supporting the implementation of sustainable food system principles and practices.
3. Facilitating more inclusive markets, including private sector engagement and access to finance.
4. Contributing to stronger policies and a more enabling environment for smallholder farmers.

To deliver on these objectives, we need a clear understanding of the current policy and regulatory environment and how it affects smallholder farmers (SHFs), especially women and youth. We also need to map and engage key stakeholders in the food system to strengthen collaboration and align efforts. This consultancy will provide a desk review of relevant acts and policies, assess their implications for SHFs, identify gaps, and map key stakeholders. It will also facilitate consultations to capture perspectives, needs, and opportunities for partnership.

2.    Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide Heifer Nepal with evidence and recommendations to strengthen policy engagement and stakeholder collaboration in support of smallholder farmers and a more inclusive, resilient food system.

Specific objectives:

• Review acts, policies, strategies, and plans linked to agriculture, livestock, food systems, and rural development.
• Identify policy strengths, opportunities, gaps, overlaps, and inconsistencies that affect SHFs.
• Map stakeholders in government, the private sector, farmer organizations, academia, and development partners.
• Facilitate consultations to validate findings and gather stakeholder input.
• Recommend a clear roadmap for policy engagement and partnerships.

3.    Scope of Work

The consultant or consulting firm will:

• Conduct a desk review and analyze federal, provincial, and local-level acts, policies, plans, strategies, regulations and mechanisms relevant to food systems.
• Identify alignment of Heifer's new program model with current government policies and framework of food system.
•  Assess how the government policies and frameworks address SHF inclusion, market access, regenerative practices, climate resilience, finance, and governance.
• Prepare a stakeholder map showing influence, interests, and alignment with Heifer’s objectives.
• Facilitate consultations with selected stakeholders to validate the review and gather further insights.
• Provide practical recommendations and a roadmap for policy engagement and collaboration at three levels of governments.

4.    Deliverables

• Draft report with policy review findings and stakeholder mapping.
• Consultation report capturing key points, agreements, and differing perspectives.
• Final report consolidating all findings, analysis, stakeholder mapping, consultation results, and recommendations.

5.    Expected Outcomes:

• A clear and concise analysis of the policy and regulatory environment affecting SHFs.
• A detailed stakeholder map with roles, influence, and potential for collaboration.
•  Documentation of common priorities and opportunities for joint action from the consultations.
• Recommendations that can be used to guide Heifer’s advocacy and partnership work.

6.    Duration of Assignment:

• The assignment will take up to 25 working days and must be completed by 20 September 2025.

7.    Consultant or Consulting Firm Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Agriculture, Public Policy, Development Studies, Law, or a related field (for the lead consultant).
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant experience in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, or food systems-related work.
• Strong understanding of SHF realities, sustainable agriculture, and market systems in Nepal.
• Proven track record in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English and Nepali.

8.    Competency Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, practical, and evidence-based policy analysis.
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
• Familiarity with Nepal’s agriculture, livestock, and rural development policy environment.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with experience in both in-person and virtual settings.

9.    How to Apply

Qualified individuals, teams or consultancy firms are invited to submit the application to                                              Procurement-NP@heifer.org with the title “Consultancy – Policy Review & Stakeholder Mapping” by no later than 24th August 2025, 5 :00 PM along with the following documents.

• A cover letter outlining interest in the assignment, availability within the given timeframe, and proposed daily rate.
• CV(s) of the lead consultant and any key team members, highlighting relevant experience and similar assignments completed. For firms, include a brief organizational profile.
• At least one example of previous work relevant to this assignment (policy review, stakeholder mapping, or similar).
• A copy of PAN/VAT registration certificate.
• Company/firm registration certificate (For firm)
• Tax clearance certificate FY 080-81 (For firm)

Note: VAT registered vendors are encouraged to apply.

Heifer 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.