Request for Proposal - Policy and Planning Process

Terms of Reference (ToR) 

Consultant – Policy and Planning Process

1. Context and Background

Habitat for Humanity International Nepal is an international non-governmental organization that builds decent and affordable housing in partnership with people in need. The organization serves families with low income, families who are landless, vulnerable, socially excluded, disaster-affected, or living in disaster-prone areas to build adequate and accessible homes promoting dignity and hope to support sustainable and transformational development. Habitat Nepal serves the most vulnerable people through the provision and promotion of decent housing, water & sanitation, housing microfinance, and advocacy on land & housing rights with an emphasis on DR3 (Disaster Risk Reduction and Response), gender equality, and the person with disabilities.

As Habitat continues its ambitious strategy of build and influence, that requires a shift in programming putting systematic planning processes and advocacy at the core, the need to demonstrate the positive changes in the lives of those impacted through the provision of adequate housing through policy change has grown significantly. While Habitat Nepal has piloted successful land and housing programs in partnership with Local Governments, it’s time to build upon these successes to scale up equitable access to land and housing through mainstreaming land rights and housing support program in the Local Government’s annual plans and programs utilizing the seven steps planning process in and across Habitat Nepal’s working districts.

2. Objectives 

The primary objective of this consultancy service is to lead/implement evidence-based policy advocacy at local, provincial, and federal levels, engaging with relevant stakeholders, government bodies, and partner organizations through networking and collaboration. The consultant will facilitate the inclusion of land and housing priorities in the seven-step planning process and influence policy actions of three tiers of governments in general and particularly of local governments for sustainable housing solutions.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant/consultancy firm will be responsible for, but not limited to: 

• Coordinating with government entities to advocate and support the integration of land and housing programs in annual plans and budgets of local governments to mainstream land and housing program as their regular programs within HFHN's working areas (mainly in Madhesh and Sudurpaschim Provinces) 
• Contextualize existing toolkits developed by the government of Nepal for the seven-step planning process, focusing on land and housing rights, and providing regular updates to HFHN's management team. 
• Leading capacity-building initiatives for HFHN staff and local level implementing partners concerning the seven-step planning process and local level advocacy on housing rights and land rights.
• Engaging with local governments to ensure housing and land rights are considered and incorporated in their policy/program/strategy and budgetary allocations. 
• Documenting and archiving high-quality land and housing policy documents for government records, donor reports, and publications. 
• Collaborating with relevant government authorities including provincial policy planning, associations, and parliamentary bodies to influence the policy actions of the provincial and federal government.

4. Methodology

• Review of planning process documents.
• Coordination with relevant government authorities.
• Workshops with diverse range of stakeholders including all tiers of government, parliamentarians, communities, CSOs.

5. Target Groups 

• Elected and bureaucratic officials of three tiers of government (local, provincial, federal).
• Parliamentarians who can influence development of plans at the local level.

6. Key Deliverables 

The following are the key deliverables:

• Policy brief on housing and land rights in the contexts of working palikas of Habitat Nepal
• Advocacy plan to influence the local governments for ensuring GEDSI and human rights responsive seven steps planning, focusing on housing and land rights 
• At least 3 workshops to build the skills of Habitat and its partners and rightsholders to utilise the seven-step planning process.
• A contextualized toolkit for the seven-step planning process, focusing on land and housing rights. 
• Workshops on land and housing rights for executive committee members and municipal assembly members of at least 10 municipalities.
• A report that reflects the commitment of at least 7 municipalities to include housing and land rights in their annual plan, allocate adequate budget and develop housing strategy for constructing adequate houses on secure land for the marginalized populations.  
• A report that reflects the facilitation of policy discussion and dialogues among the federal parliamentarians (or relevant parliamentary committee members or caucus) on housing and land rights and influence policy actions.

7. Qualifications, skills, and experience

The consultancy team/firm/company should have the following qualifications, skills and experience within their team:

1. The key team members of the consultancy firm/company need to have Master's degree in law, public administration, social science, development studies, or a relevant discipline. 
2. The firm/company needs to have minimum of 7+ years of demonstrated experience in human rights and GEDSI responsive policy review, advocacy and the seven-step planning process. 
3. Profound knowledge of the housing and land as human rights and the ability to provide technical guidance and support. 
4. Proficient communication skills in English and Nepali, including excellent writing capabilities. 
5. Proven expertise in policy analysis, research, and advocacy initiatives. 
6. Ability and willingness to travel as required for field engagements. 
7. Prior experience in fostering relationships with local, provincial and federal governments and non-governmental organizations.

8. Active support of HFHI Values:

1. Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves.
2. Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
3. Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission.

9. Ethical Protocols 

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity Nepal is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve.

We require that all staff and representatives (consultants, contractors, vendors/suppliers, interns, volunteers, agents, and implementing partner organizations) take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding (Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment, and Abuse) our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. 

Abiding with the organization, the consultancy service has responsibilities to maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Throughout the assignment engagements, the consultants are expected to adhere to Habitat Nepal’s code of conduct including the safeguarding policy ensuring that all measures are taken to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of the individuals and communities involved.

The consultant/s should guarantee that the analysis is technically accurate and reliable and is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. All products resulting from this analysis will be owned by Habitat. The consultant will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the results or use any product resulting from the analysis as his or her own or for private publication purposes.

10. Requirements: Interested consultants are requested to submit:

• A Technical Proposal detailing the interpretation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) and work schedule. The technical proposal should at a minimum include the following information:
  • Detailed work plan and methodology.
  • Key deliverables 
  • A capability statement demonstrating how they meet the required qualifications and competencies, along with one sample from previous work similar to this assignment. 
  • Two reference details from former clients 
  • A copy of organization/institution registration certificate
  • A copy of the tax identification number
  • PAN/VAT registration document and the number
  • Copies of Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Key team members (As an annex)
• A Financial Proposal detailing the proposed costs including all applicable taxes. 
• The entire proposal should be a maximum of seven (7) pages including the financial proposal. Proposals not meeting this requirement will not be considered.
• Confidentiality of Information. All documents and data collected will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate analysis.

Note: TDS will be 1.5% of the budget. In this case, the VAT amount should be included in their proposal.

11. Copyright

Copyright for the documents will remain with Habitat for Humanity International Nepal National Office and includes the right to distribute the material or parts of it to the Local Government and other partners in Nepal and abroad.

12. Instructions to submit the proposal

Interested reputed and qualified organizations/firms/individual consultants should submit their technical and financial proposal including all mentioned requirements as an attachment to the following email address procurement@habitatnepal.org.

For any queries contact the following email address info@habitatnepal.org.

Application deadline: 14 February 2024

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