Short-Term Technical Consultant

FEED THE FUTURE NEPAL USAID AGRICULTURAL INPUTS  

(USAID AGRICULTURAL INPUTS)

Terms of Reference

To Hire a Short-Term Technical Consultant to carry out the revision of Provincial Seed Act 2021 of Sudurpaschim Province

1. Background

Accessibility and availability of improved seed – as well as the existence of an efficient seed system – are the foundation for increased agricultural productivity and an agricultural transformation process. With this, the government of Sudurpaschim Province formulated the Provincial Seed Act in 2021, under the provision provided by the Constitution of Nepal (Schedule 6), aiming to increase accessibility and affordability of quality seeds for farmers. The Provincial Seed Act has been formulated in line with the decentralized agriculture functions envisaged in the Constitution of Nepal; provinces are mandated to formulate their own policies within the framework of the federal policies (for example, Agriculture Development Strategy - ADS 2015) , based on their distinct potential resources. 

The Sudurpaschim Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOLMAC) has requested Feed the Future Nepal USAID Agricultural Inputs (USAID Agricultural Inputs)  to support revisions to the Seed Act 2021 addressing emerging challenges, in line with the Federal Seed Act 2022. Currently, the Provincial Seed Act 2021 does not align with the Federal Seed Act 2022, particularly in terms of accessing quality seeds, inadequate emphasis on private sector engagement in seed systems, quality control, certification processes, and efficient seed distribution systems. The Provincial Seed Act also lacks strong collaborative efforts among research, extension, academia, other government agencies, and financial institutions for effective and efficient seed systems. The revised Provincial Seed Act will address pertinent challenges and harness opportunities in the seed sector toward increasing agricultural productivity and improving food security in the region.

To this end, USAID Agricultural Inputs will support MOLMAC in revising the Provincial Seed Act 2021 through reviewing policy documents, conducting stakeholder consultations, drafting, and delivery to the approval process. The revised Provincial Seed Act will be prepared in Nepali. The revised Provincial Seed Act will be a live document to be reviewed and revised to respond to ongoing changes in seed markets at the national, subnational, and international levels. The Provincial Seed Act will comply with and contribute to the envisioned goals of the national and subnational policies and with international commitments where Nepal is a member of international forums. The present Scope of Work (SoW) has been designed to meet MOLMAC’s request.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of this assignment is to hire/engage a short-term Technical Consultant to support MOLMAC to revise the Provincial Seed Act 2021 of Sudurpaschim Province to align with the Federal Seed Act 2022.

3. Scope of Work

The scope of work is as follows (not exhaustive):

• Review literature on agricultural policies focusing on seed policy, act, rules, regulations, directives, guidelines enacted at the federal (particularly, Seed Act 2022), provincial, and municipal government levels.
• Analyze constraints, challenges, and opportunities across the seed market system to be included in the revised Seed Act.
• Develop revised Seed Act considering (but not limited to) the following technical viewpoints. 
  • Production of hybrid, fortified, and improved seed varieties, increased private sector investment in seed systems, seed company registration, capacity building, and seed governance.
  • Promote value addition, seed inspection, seed testing, quality control, seed certification, seed distribution, seed export and import. 
• Prepare the revised Provincial Seed Act in line with the Federal Seed Act 2022 addressing pertinent challenges and utilize opportunities making provincial seed systems more efficient and vibrant.

4. Methodology  

The following methodology will be adopted while revising the Provincial Seed Act:

• The methodology will involve in-depth desk work that includes, but is not limited to, literature review relevant to seed acts (particularly, federal Seed Act 2022 and regulations, National Seed Policy 1999, National Agriculture Policy 2004, Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS) 2014, Provincial Agriculture Development Strategy (PADS) 2022), and ongoing policy initiatives taken by the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and private sector organizations. 
• The methodology deployed will involve consultations in both virtual and physical mode. The consultation process will include key tools such as Key Informant Interview (KII), Focused Group Discussion (FGD) with private seed sector actors, workshops, and formal and informal meetings at the provincial and local levels. 
• Two stakeholder consultation workshops (first for feedback collection, and second for validation) will be organized participating from relevant provincial ministries and appropriate agencies, federal government entities located within the Sudurpashchim Province, select municipalities, private sector (particularly seed companies, agrovets, and cooperatives), USAID Agricultural Inputs, and other concerned stakeholders. 
• Specifically, a detailed action plan will be prepared by the MOLMAC and be implemented accordingly to ease the Seed Act drafting process.

5. Responsibility and Resource Contribution Matrix

The roles and responsibilities of the partner organizations, MOLMAC and USAID Agricultural Inputs, are briefly mentioned in Table 1. Particularly, MOLMAC will be responsible to take the lead and contribute costs related to meetings at the provincial and field levels. USAID Agricultural Inputs will contribute to hiring the national consultant and costs related to the multi-stakeholder consultation workshops. 

Table 1. Roles and responsibilities of partner organizations

6. Level of Effort and Period of Performance

The proposed level of effort (LOE) for this assignment is 35 days including consultations in Sudurpaschim Province. The timeframe performance period for this work will be three and half months from the date of contract signing. Consultant is allowed to work for a maximum of 6 days a week. The anticipated start date is April 1, 2024.

7. Qualifications, Experiences and Skills

The selection of a consultant will be done through a competitive process. The interested consultant to undertake the assignment should have the following qualifications, skills and relevant experience.  

• Master’s degree in seed science or agronomy, or agricultural sciences.
• 15+ years’ experience at higher level in developing policy including seed vision, act, regulations, directives, guidelines, procedures.
• Published reports, documents, policies in a similar field. 
• Good report writing skills in Nepali, including completion of at least two reports of a similar nature.

8. Deliverables and Timelines

The consultant will prepare and submit the following deliverables: 

• Submit an inception report within 15 days of signing the agreement.  The report will include a Gantt work plan that illustrates completion within the 3.5-month timeframe. 
• Conduct an assessment and submit a draft report in Nepali within 2 months after submitting the inception report. The revised Provincial Seed Act will build on the existing Provincial Seed Act 2021 and as per the scope of work (section 3).
• Conduct Initial/first stakeholder consultation workshop to collect feedback and a Validation workshop / meeting to discuss on the Draft Report with key stakeholders, GON officials. 
• The consultant will submit the final “Revised Provincial Seed Act 2024” in Nepali incorporating feedback from stakeholders’ consultations and reviewers, within 30 days of submitting the draft report.

9. Payment schedule

• 25 percent payment upon submission and acceptance of the inception report, including a detailed work plan for the assignment (Deliverable 1). 
• 40 percent payment upon submission of first draft report (Deliverable 2 and 3). 
• 35 percent payment after incorporating the feedback from stakeholders, submission and acceptance of the final report (Deliverable 4).

10. Application Procedures

Applicant should forward the following: 

• A Cover letter stating why the applicant is suitable for the assignment and how the applicant plans to accomplish the task. 
• An updated CV. 
• Proof of published reports, documents, policies in a similar field.
• Propose a 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.
• 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.

11. Location of the assignment and reporting

The assignment shall be undertaken living in Kathmandu. However, provincial level consultations have to be undertaken in Sudurpaschim province. The Consultant will closely work with the officials designated by MOLMAC and report to the Senior Enabling Environment Director at USAID Agriculture 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.