Request for Proposal- Capacity Need Assessment of 21 Palikas on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Scope of Work 

Consultant: Capacity Need Assessment of 21 Palikas on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 

 1.   Introduction

Mercy Corps Nepal has been implementing the BHAKARI Activity since October 2020 to enhance food and nutrition security, reduce future humanitarian caseloads and improve the resilience of communities to recurrent shocks along the Karnali River Basin (KRB). BHAKARI is a multi-year emergency program funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The program is implemented in six districts (Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, and Dailekh, with cluster hubs in Surkhet and Jumla). The sectoral programmatic intervention includes agriculture and market systems, disaster risk reduction, water for productive use, natural resources management, emergency response to multiple localized shocks with a “GESI First'' approach that emphasizes a gender and social inclusion approach, and reaching to the most vulnerable segment of the society with an integrated multi-sectoral approach. The program is currently implemented in 21 Palikas throughout six districts (Annex 1). 

This assignment is created to provide technical support to undertake a capacity needs assessment of 21 of BHAKARI’s working Palikas on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. The findings from the assessment will help to establish a baseline for each Palika which will serve as benchmarks on improvement of disaster risk governance. The assignment will also assess opportunities and challenges for cash and voucher-based preparedness and response intervention. A clear road map (capacity development plan) would be developed for addressing gaps and challenges for improvements on Disaster Risk Reduction and  Management for each Palika.

2.    Objective

The Overall Objective of the assignment is to undertake a capacity needs assessment of the BHAKARI Activity’s 21 Palikas in 6 Districts. The framework for assessment and areas for capacity enhancement would be aligned with the Four Key Pillars (Section 3) identified by the National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP) for DRRM: 2018-2030 and provide recommendations for areas of capacity enhancements with a clear capacity development plan.

The Specific Objectives of the assignment are:

• Mapping (establish baseline) of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) preparedness and readiness status of each Palika aligned  with NSAP for DRRM (2018-2030)
• Review understanding, preparedness and response capacity on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and in-kind support amongst local government stakeholders, humanitarian actors and private sector.
• Assess opportunities for partnership with the private sector and its engagements on emergency preparedness and response
• Prepare a road map for enhancing capacities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management  considering actions for immediate, medium and long term for each Palika that are based on the findings from the assessment

3.   Suggested Methodology

The assignment will be initiated with the (i) development of analytical framework based on NSAP for DRRM (2018-2030) (ii) framework clearly mentioning capacity indicators. The following are the four key pillars identified by the national Strategic Action Plan for DRRM: 2018-2030.

Priority Area 1:  Understanding Disaster Risk Comprehensive understanding of disaster risk through a national platform of risk assessment

Priority Area 2:  Strengthening of disaster risk governance at federal, province and local levels

Priority Area 3:  Promotion of public and private investment of resilient development based on comprehensive risk information

Priority Area 4:  Enhancing disaster Preparedness for Effective Response, recovery, reconstruction using 'build back better' techniques

Since the beginning of implementation, BHAKARI has supported program Palikas on the enhancement of disaster risk governance through a number of interventions: (i) understanding risks and undertaking risk assessments; (i) capacity building activities; (ii) development of key disaster risk management plans, frameworks, and guidelines; (iv) implementation of disaster mitigation measures; (v) emergency preparedness and response; (vi) mapping  of the status of Key DRM legal instruments at the Palikas. 

Therefore, the assignment would undertake a desk study and KIIs with BHAKARI staff and Palika representatives and authorities to outline the progress made. In addition, the program has entered through the preparation of Integrated Community Assessment and Action Planning (ICAAP) process for each 252 program communities. The process has identified; disaster risks, vulnerable groups, risk mitigation measures and have developed action plans with the communities. The assignment will refer and consider multiple hazard related  disaster risks in ICCAP (and validate). It will also map major DRRM legal instruments endorsed and  remaining at each Palika including their readiness considering the multiple hazard risks. 

The consultant will deploy Research Associates as appropriate to undertake capacity assessment led by the Principal consultant. The Principal  consultant will develop required tools and instruments that meet the objectives of the assignment. Similarly, the lead will undertake orientation to the Research Associates and ensure data quality from the field assessment. The assignment would be conducted through an extensive consultation process in each Palika such as through consultation and validation workshops. The major areas for assessments are but not limited to (i) disaster risk management structure (ii) risk information management (iii) Local Emergency Operation Center (iv) Early Warning System and dissemination at the community level (v) disaster management fund (vi) implementation of building code (vii) earthquake and fire preparedness and response (viii) readiness for monsoon and COVID-19 (ix) capacity building program and (x) coordination (xi) Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) (xii) engagement of vulnerable population on targeting and programing on DRRM. The consultant shall review and refer to the relevant findings and recommendations from similar assessments for private sector engagements (Objective 3 of the Scope of Work)that includes previous PSE studies by the USAID.  

The report(s) should be prepared based on the Table of Contents and methodology agreed with team BHAKARI. The lead consultant will facilitate the development of a capacity development plan led by the respective palikas that are based on the findings from the assessment. The plan should also give reference to the national level plan and programs, where appropriate. 

Whilst the assignment will be undertaken at the local level, the consultant is expected to work in close coordination with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The assessment shall undertake FGDs and KIIs with all relevant stakeholders at the national, provincial and local level. The consultant will also undertake KIIs with the private sector representatives at each local level.  The assignment will refer to the number of similar initiatives such as (i) Needs, and Capacity Assessment of Fourteen Rural and Urban Municipalities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Nepal undertaken by IOM in 2019 (ii) Capacity and Needs Assessment of Six Rural and Urban Municipalities of Nepal undertaken by IOM in 2020 (iii) Disaster Risk Government Assessment at the Local Level – guideline by MOFAGA etc.

4.   Deliverables 

The Assignment is expected to deliver the following outputs:

• Inception report that details methodology and plans including all required tools for the assessment
• Share Top line finding after field visit on key thematic areas
• Share findings of the assessment with the respective Palikas and at the national level including with Ministry of Federal Administration and General Administration (MoFAGA); USAID/Nepal and other BHA partners
• Draft and final report (in English) of the findings aligned with the Specific Objectives of the Scope of Work including (1) Baseline of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) preparedness and readiness status of each Palika aligned  with NSAP for DRRM (2018-2030) (2) Road map for enhancing capacities on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management  considering actions for immediate, medium and long term for each Palika
• Develop summary brief of the findings for each Palika (about 10 pages each ) in English

5.   Duration and Payment Schedule

BHAKARI foresees the overall completion of the assignment by the end of March 2022 with 167 working days (refer to Table 2 for timeline and estimated number of days) along with subsequent submission of the deliverables. The estimated working days are included for the Lead Consultant and the Research Associates to be spread over throughout the assignment period. The final product(s) including incorporation of all feedback from MoFAGA and BHAKARI is to be submitted by 28th February  2021. 

Table 1: Payment schedule

Table 2: Estimated number of days for the assignment

6.   Qualifications and experience 

• Firms with relevant experience are invited to submit the proposal
• The Team Leader must have at least 10 years of experience working on Emergency Response, DRRM and relevant sector
• The Research Associates should have at least 5 years of experience working on Emergency Response, DRRM and relevant sector
• Thorough understanding of humanitarian context in Karnali and Sudurpaschim region.
• Experience on undertake similar capacity need assessments including providing training, orientation, and technical support
• Demonstrated evidence of well-versed on Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA)
• Understanding of potential private sector engagements on disaster risk reduction and response
• Experience of facilitating emergency assessments including rapid needs and market assessment.
• Demonstrated skills on qualitative and quantitative assessments and analytical skills
• Evidence of writing quality reports on Nepali and English 
• Excellent communication skills in Nepali and demonstrated skills on workshop facilitation 
• Previous working experience with INGOs, UN agencies and government in particular local government and MoFAGA

7.   Monitoring and Supervision

The consultant will report to the Emergency Response Senior Manager in close consultation with Emergency Coordinator, Mercy Corps Nepal (Building Hope Along the Karnali River Basin (BHAKARI) and work closely with other relevant Mercy Corps team members.

8.   Required Documents for Submitting the Proposal

Qualified firms can send their application to np-procurement@mercycorps.org  with the Title “Capacity Need Assessment of 21 Palikason  Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” along with the following documents by 3rd December 2021. 

• Technical Proposal
• Financial proposal
• Company Profile
• Proposed Team and CVs
• Relevant Past Experience list 
• Firm Registration & Renewal certificate
• Copy of VAT Registration Certificate
• Latest Tax clearance certificate

Note:The assignment is contingent upon donor's approval.

Annex 1: BHAKARI working Palikas