Term of Reference: Consultancy Services to support Inclusive Policy Formulation Related to Children with Disabilities for the Local Governments

Term of Reference

Consultancy Services to support Inclusive Policy Formulation Related to Children with Disabilities for the Local Governments

1. Overview

2. Background

Sustainable enterprise and Environment Development Working Awareness Centre (SEEWAC) Nepal is a community development organization established and governed by a group of energetic development practitioners, rights workers, gender activists and professional trainers. Founded in 2063, SEEWAC/Nepal is dedicated to the cause of socio-economic empowerment of the children, young and adolescents, women, Dalit, indigenous communities, minorities, disadvantaged, excluded and socio-economically marginalized communities. SEEWAC/Nepal believes that development starts with people; hence is focused on the improvement in the overall quality of their lives. It focuses on the poor and marginalized people and endeavors to support the communities through the provision of sustainable livelihood assets and by resilient building, reducing vulnerability and empowering for the realization of universal human rights. Besides this, SEEWAC/Nepal is focused on health-related activities, institutional development of the different self-help groups and development organization, infrastructure development and addresses other contemporary development issues. 

3. Project Background

With the technical and financial support of Good Neighbors International Nepal, SEEWAC Nepal is implementing two projects: “Empowering Nepalese Children with Disabilities (ENCDP)” in Bardiya, and “Strengthening Access to Mainstream Education for Children with Disabilities through Sustainable and Holistic Initiatives (SAMABESHI)” in Kailali district.

The working areas in Bardiya District include Geruwa Rural Municipality, Rajapur Municipality, and Madhuwan Municipality. Similarly, in Kailali District, the project is being implemented in Lamkichuha Municipality, Janaki Rural Municipality, and Tikapur Municipality.

These projects aim to bring out-of-school children with disabilities (CwDs) into the mainstream education system, improve their school attendance, and ensure their non-discriminatory participation at both school and community levels.

One of the key objectives of the projects is to formulate and implement inclusive education policies and provisions for CwDs at the local government level. Therefore, the project will provide technical support to local governments in the development of these policies.

4. Objective

The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to local governments for the development of inclusive policy relating to children with disabilities.

• To develop/formulate disability-inclusive policies for local governments, with a specific focus on children with disabilities.

5. Scope of the Work 

The activities will be carried out in Geruwa Rural Municipality, Madhuwan Municipality and Rajapur Municipality of Bardiya District. And Lamkichula Municipality, Tikapur Municipality and Janaki Rural Municipality of Kailali district. The major activities will be focus as on:  

• Collect and study the disabilities-related information from project area and analyse the gaps. 
• Review national-level policies on people with disabilities and develop policies 
• Conduct workshop with representatives of LG, local Networks and Groups of people with disabilities, and other likeminded organizations.
• Draft the inclusive policy relating to children with disabilities, 

6. Approach and Methodology

The consultant shall visit the beneficiaries and observe implemented projects, support, and interventions. The team/consultant shall conduct the following activities in the field; 

• Organize Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with different disabilities-related groups to collect relevant issues and information at local level.
• Facilitate workshop at concerned LG with the representatives LG, the leader of disabilities and like-minded organizations
• Draft the inclusive policy relating to children with disabilities
• Share the draft to LG / organization, share the key provisions / highlights of the draft policy to LG representatives through workshop.
• Finalize the policy incorporating the feedback / comments and finalize the document. 
• Submit the final copy of the policy to the organization.

7. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will submit the final policy documents in Nepali language. The format of the policy will be proposed by the consultant/firm and will be finalized in consultation with the organization. The policy should align with national policies related to disabilities, inclusions and rights of CwDs, be detailed and illustrative, reflect local government priorities, and be clear, easily understandable, and free from errors.

Inclusive Policies for Children with Disabilities developed for the local governments.

8. Duration and timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within 50 days for one district (three local government) from the date of signature. However, it can be changed on the basis of external conditions only. Two days’ workshop in every LG is designed the activities in the project plan. The basic steps/process and tentative during for the policy formulation process in one district (three rural municipalities) assumed as.

9. Acceptance of Proposal 

SEEWAC Nepal reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without providing any reason. If deemed necessary, the selected consultant/firm shall be requested to make modifications to the proposal or deliverables.

10. Role and responsibilities of SEEWAC Nepal/Kailali

SEEWAC Nepal will organize workshops in each local government unit (LG), and participants will be selected in consultation with the assigned consultant.

SEEWAC Nepal will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of activities in collaboration with local governments and relevant organizations at the field level.

• Provide all relevant project-related information to the consultant. 
• Arrange necessary meetings, workshops, and consultations with project stakeholders
• Provide feedback and inputs on both the draft and final versions of the policy.
• Support to consultants as required in the field. 

11. Role of selected Service Provider/consultant 

The selected consultant/service provider will be responsible for leading the technical process of policy development in coordination with SEEWAC Nepal and concerned local governments. 

• Collect relevant information and review related documents and policies.
• Facilitate meetings, discussions, and workshops to gather inputs for policy formulation.
• Draft the policy, share it with the concerned local governments and SEEWAC Nepal for feedback, incorporate the feedback received, and finalize the policy.

12. Qualification required

Individual freelance consultants, public institutions, private firms, and non-governmental organizations registered with the authorized agency of the Government of Nepal and having proven experience in disability policy development are eligible to apply for this assignment.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The consultant/firm may submit a proposal either for one district or both districts as per their convenience. However, priority will be given to one consultant to one district.
• Minimum of five years of relevant working experience related to education, child protection, inclusion and disabilities.
• Strong knowledge of Government of Nepal’s policies related to disability, education, child protection, inclusion and disabilities.
• Proven experience in facilitating developing policies to local government.
• Experience of working with national and/or international development organizations

13. Document to be submitted 

The consultant/firm shall apply with the following documents.

A. Technical proposal (Maximum 2 pages)

• Outline, description of methodology, instruments and tools that will be used in information collection
• Timeline of activities
• Updated Curriculum Vitae with signature of team leader and co-leader
• List of similar assignments conducted by the consultant, firm, or company.

B. Financial proposal

• The proposed budget in Nepali rupees in MS Excel format along with a budget narrative explaining all proposed expenses.

C. In the case of the team/organization/firm

Organization profile with relevant experiences

• A copy of company/firm registration
• A copy of the tax clearance certificate
• VAT/PAN registration
• Audit report (latest year)
• Any other relevant documents

14. Acceptance of Proposal 

All rights to accept or reject a proposal without any reason shall be reserved with SEEWAC Nepal. If deemed necessary, the consultant shall be asked for modifications.

15. Copyright

The firm/consultant shall collect, and document required data during the entire course of the survey and include information/data that are not included in the report under the annexes. The consultant/firm shall also take relevant pictures and videos. The copyright of all the data and documents will remain with the project. The firm/consultant cannot publish the findings of this study without taking prior consent from SEEWAC and Good Neighbors International Nepal.

16. Confidentiality

The consultant/organization/firm shall not at any time disclose or make use of any confidential information relating to SEEWAC Nepal and Good Neighbors International Nepal and the respondents obtained during this assessment. Consultant/organization/firm should strictly maintain confidentiality during and after the completion of this assignment.

17. Submission 

The proposal should reach the address below via email, courier, or hand delivery by 31 July 2025  by 17:00 Hrs. (Nepal Local Time). Please, mention in the subject line of the email or enclose the proposal in an envelope marked as “Inclusive Policy Formulation Relating to Children with Disabilities at Local Level" drop it at the following address: