Short-Term Consultant

FEED THE FUTURE NEPAL USAID AGRICULTURAL INPUTS  

(USAID AGRICULTURAL INPUTS)

Terms of Reference 

To hire a short-term consultant to carry out the assessment of appropriate irrigation technologies available in key geographic zones and critical gaps in the irrigation service market systems. 

1. PROJECT BACKGROUND

Feed the Future Nepal, USAID Nepal Agricultural Inputs (USAID Agricultural Inputs) will increase the availability, accessibility, and use of agricultural inputs and technology to improve Nepal’s agricultural productivity. The focus on seed, fertilizer, irrigation, and mechanization market systems will contribute to improved resilience, competitiveness, and inclusion in the agriculture sector. USAID Agricultural Inputs will help more than 200 lead firms, agrovets, input suppliers, local machinery service providers, and Government of Nepal to catalyze agricultural productivity, efficient input supply chains, competitive market systems, and a stronger enabling environment that will benefit 200,000 farmers in Sudurpaschim, Lumbini, Karnali, Bagmati, and Madhesh provinces. 

USAID Agricultural Inputs will contribute to the following objectives:

Objective 1: Demand and supply responsive and financially viable seed system improved.

Objective 2: Soil fertility management and fertilizer distribution system improved.

Objective 3: Climate adaptive and sustainable irrigation management system improved.

Objective 4: Agricultural mechanization enhanced.

2. RATIONALE

In Nepal, despite the vital role of irrigation in agricultural productivity and food security, there exist critical gaps in the current irrigation service market. The nation's topography and climatic diversity make it heavily reliant on irrigation systems to support its predominantly agrarian economy. Inadequate institutional support and governance frameworks exacerbate issues of water management, leading to conflicts over resource allocation and usage. Weak participation of Water Users Associations (WUAs), institutional capacity, linkages between agriculture and irrigation had greater impact in irrigation service markets. These critical gaps in the irrigation service market highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address infrastructure limitations, enhance equitable access, and improve governance mechanisms to ensure sustainable irrigation development in Nepal. The regional irrigation rental market service models provide a framework for understanding the dynamics of irrigation rental markets, including pricing mechanisms, equipment availability, and distribution networks. 

The demand analysis of appropriate pumping technologies, filters, and storage technologies available in key geographic zones is vital for addressing the diverse agricultural water requirements. USAID Agricultural Inputs will assess the suitable pumping technologies that match the scale and scope of irrigation operations in different terrains, ranging from small-scale hillside farming to large-scale plains agriculture; conduct demand assessment for filtration and storage technologies, such as drip irrigation systems and water harvesting tanks; and current critical gaps in irrigation service market and rental service market model.  

3. OBJECTIVES

The objective of the assignment is to hire/engage a short-term consultant to carry out the following tasks: 

1. Analyze demand of appropriate pumping technologies, filters, water storage/harvesting technologies available in the key geographic zones.
2. Assess critical gaps in the current irrigation service value chain markets including importers/producers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.
3. Assess repair and maintenance services, availability of technicians (focused on pumps and irrigation management system), their current skill set and recommend required skill set.
4. Evaluate the regional irrigation rental market service models (focused on pumps) of irrigation management tools, technologies, and technical resources.
5. Propose innovative irrigation rental market service models based on evaluation.

4. METHODOLOGY/TASKS

1. Conduct a combination of desk-based review, field visits and stakeholder consultations. 
2. Prepare questionnaire and checklist and finalize in consultation with USAID Agricultural Inputs. 
3. Submit questionnaire and checklist for the focus group discussions and interviews for the government agency, WUAs, private sector actors in the irrigation value chains and farmers. 

5. DELIVERABLES

The Consultant shall prepare and submit the following deliverables.

1. Submit an inception report with a detailed methodology and a time bound work plan within 15 days of signing the contract. 
2. Draft report (maximum 25-30 pages) after assessment to USAID Agricultural Inputs for review within 8 weeks after finalization of inception report.  
3. Final report (maximum 25-30 pages) incorporating USAID Agricultural Inputs comments and suggestions including all annexes and dataset tentatively within 1week after receipt of comments on draft report.
4. Give a presentation to USAID Agricultural Inputs, relevant private sector market actors, and government agencies on the findings of the assessment and the recommendations.

6. LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT AND REPORTING

This assignment will be undertaken in Kathmandu and will require visits to USAID Agricultural Inputs zone of influence (ZOI) . The consultant will work under the direction of the USAID Agricultural Inputs Irrigation Specialist and report to him/her.

7. LEVEL OF EFFORT (LOE) AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The total Level of Effort for this assignment will be 45 days to be carried out over three months.  The anticipated start date of this assignment is April 8, 2024.

8. PAYMENT

Payment will be made upon completion of all the deliverables and acceptance by USAID Agriculture Inputs. 

9. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS

This assignment will be carried out by an individual consultant. Interested consultant should have the following qualifications, skills, and experience: 

1. A master’s degree in water resources/irrigation engineering 
2. Preferably 10 years of experience in management of water sector projects including irrigation water management and irrigation market value chain system. 
3. Prior experience in conducting assessments in the water/irrigation sector preferably on USAID funded project preparatory technical assistance.
4. Good written and verbal skills in Nepali and English language.
5. Willing to travel to the Agricultural Inputs Zone of Influence sites.

 1 ZOI districts: Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Surkhet, Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi West, Palpa, Rupandehi, Chitwan, Dhading, Makwanpur, Bara, Parsa

10. SELECTION CRITERIA 

The selection of the Consultant will be made based on the Applicant’s academic qualifications and relevant experience. 

11. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested consultant should submit: 

• Letter of Interest. 
• Detailed CV including a summary of experience aligning with requirements mentioned in the TOR. 
• Proposed Gross daily rate. The selected consultant shall submit a copy of contract/ agreement, or other proof of two latest assignments verifying the proposed daily rate upon selection.
• PAN registration certificate (copy of VAT certificate is must if the total consultancy value exceeds or equal to NRs. 500,000). Note - Tax will be deducted at source as per Nepal government tax rule and regulation.
• Any other relevant document(s)
• For official travel outside of Kathmandu Valley, the Consultant's travel cost will be reimbursed as per USAID Agricultural Inputs norms.
• Workshop costs will be managed by USAID Agricultural Inputs.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA)

Winrock International seeks to cultivate an environment where all candidates relish equal employment opportunities devoid of discrimination, misconduct, fraud, and abuse. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Localization guides our practices not just in hiring, but also in staff retention, growth, and policy implementation. This commitment signifies that we value diversity in all its forms including age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and cultural background. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognizing the rich tapestry of the communities in which we live and work.

DISCLAIMER

Issuance of this notice does not obligate USAID Agricultural Inputs to award a consultancy service, nor will pay any costs associated with the preparation or submission of application. Furthermore, USAID Agricultural Inputs reserves the right to reject any and all applications, if such an action is considered to be in the best interest of the project.