Terms of Reference

Youth Alliance for Development (YARD)

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Systematic Study on Emerging Issues of Children, Including Child Protection in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali

Background

Youth Alliance for Development (YARD) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 2011 A.D. and formally constituted in 2012 A.D. (DAO-Kailali Registration), founded by a dynamic cohort of young visionaries dedicated to empowering young people and marginalized communities. We focus on skill development, social justice advocacy, and community well-being to build a more inclusive and equitable society.

YARD envisions an empowered and resilient society where all people enjoy equal access to inclusive education, health, livelihoods, and a dignified life. The organization works in partnership with government agencies, UN organizations, INGOs, local governments, civil society organizations, and communities.

Kailali district is experiencing rapid urbanization, in-migration, and expansion of informal settlements, particularly in Dhangadhi. These shifts are increasing hidden and complex protection risks for children such as child labour in the service sector, child marriage, school dropout, early marriage, online abuse, drugs abuse and exposure to unsafe public environments.

Rapid urbanization is transforming lives of children in profound ways. While urbanization has created opportunities, it has also introduced vulnerabilities. Urban and peri-urban areas provide easier access to education, health and employment opportunities. However, this level of access is not uniform across the population residing in urban and peri-urban areas. Particularly, children including girls, children with disabilities, dalit living in informal settlements, slum areas and children belonging to migrant families, poor households, and marginalized communities are exposed to multiple and inter-connected risks. They experience disproportionate risks of violence and exploitation. 

In Sudurpaschim province 39.7% children living urban and peri-urban areas (NPHC-2021). Among them most of the children are migrant children. 66% children living peri-urban areas out of all migrant children (NPHC-2021). Similarly, 12.9% child headed household in Sudurpaschim and 34% children prevalence in child labor. Child Situation Index (CSI) of Sudurpaschim province is 0.67 whereas national CSI is 0.72 (NPHC-2021). 48 children drug abuse cases registered in FY-2081-082 at district police office, Kailali (DPO, Kailali) and 173 children rescued in 2081/082 from trafficking (Peace Rehabilitation Center report). These data reflect that the protection issues of children literally heating the human development. Child marriage, sexual abuse, drug abuse, economic vulnerability, and migration continue to pose challenges, requiring strengthened policies and enforcement mechanisms. The child-headed households should be brought to the attention of local officials to ensure these children receive the necessary support.

Dramatic expansion of digital technology has created new opportunities for learning and communication but has also increased children's exposure to cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation, gaming addiction, and misuse of social media. Likewise, urban poverty, unemployment, inadequate parental supervision, family separation due to migration, and limited child-friendly public spaces further increase children's vulnerability.

Youth Alliance for Development (YARD), therefore intends to conduct a systematic study and content analysis to consolidate existing evidence and generate actionable recommendations that will strengthen policies, planning, advocacy, and child-friendly programming in the Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City.

General Objective:

To systematically review, synthesize, and analyze existing literature on emerging child protection and child wellbeing issues affecting children in the Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali identifying underlying causes, vulnerabilities, evidence gaps, and priority actions to strengthen municipal planning, policy development, and child-friendly programming.

Specific objectives

• Conduct content analysis for identifying patterns, themes, findings in the existing literature related to child rights and urbanization, relevant to the study sites.
• Identify and analyze emerging and priority child protection risks affecting children in urban settings, including but not limited to child labour, trafficking, sexual violence, online abuse, substance use etc.
• Provide actionable recommendations to inform urban-focused advocacy, policy engagement, and programming at the provincial and municipal level.

 Proposed Methodology:

The study will adopt both primary and secondary forms of data to review and analyze the emerging issues of children in urban and semi-urban settings.  To assess the current status of child protection and child wellbeing, identify key issues, emerging risks and analyze the existing child protection system in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City (DSMC).

The study will review available policies, plans, reports, statistical records, research studies, and other relevant documents related to child protection and child wellbeing in Dhangadhi. In addition, qualitative data will be collected through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with municipal representatives, relevant municipal departments/sections, district-level government agencies, schools, security agencies, health institutions, child protection organizations, child clubs, and other key stakeholders. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) will also be conducted where necessary to validate findings and capture community perspectives.

The study will include, but not be limited to:

• National laws, policies, guidelines, and standards related to child protection and child wellbeing.
• Municipal policies, plans, annual reports, and program documents of the DSMC.
• Municipal records and administrative data related to child protection, education, health, and social development.
• Civil Society Organization (CSO) reports especially working on the migration and human trafficking
• Reports and data from the District Administration Office, District Police Office, Health Office, and other relevant government agencies.
• National datasets and surveys, including the National Population Census, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), and other relevant government publications.
• Reports, project documents, learning briefs, and assessments produced by national and international non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations.
• Academic publications, peer-reviewed journal articles, research studies, and other relevant literature.

The collected information will be analyzed using content analysis to identify key trends, emerging child protection issues, service gaps, challenges, and opportunities affecting children in the Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City. The findings will be used to develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the municipal child protection system and inform local policies, planning, budgeting, advocacy, and child friendly local governance as well as child friendly programming.

Key Deliverables

The consultant/research team is expected to deliver as follows:

• Inception report including detailed methodology and work plan.
• Draft synthesis research report presenting findings from secondary research, including a consolidated evidence base on urban child protection and child wellbeing issues linking with SC thematic areas; identification of emerging and priority risks affecting children; highlight underlying drivers and structural vulnerabilities and identification of critical evidence gaps of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City on child emerging protection issues.
• Inform the design and focus of a subsequent primary research phase
• Final synthesis research report incorporating feedback from Save the Children.
• Brief study report and presentation slides summarizing key findings and recommendations for programming and advocacy.

Timeline

Required Expertise and Qualifications

The consultant/firm/ academic institutions should have:

• The consultant having advanced degree in social sciences, development studies, public policy, child protection, or related fields with 5 years' experience in study/research field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Content Analysis base research and policy-relevant studies.
• Strong understanding of child protection issues in urban and semi-urban areas of Nepal, particularly child labour, trafficking, gender-based violence, and online safety.
• Experience conducting research focused on children and vulnerable populations with strong ethical safeguards.
• Proven experience producing high-quality thematic and content analysis base reports and policy recommendations.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval will be taken from YARD. Following aspects will be strictly followed during entire study as:

Safeguarding – demonstrating the highest standards of behavior towards children and adults. 

Sensitive – to child rights, gender, inclusion and cultural contexts. 

Openness - of information given, to the highest possible degree to all parties involved. 

Confidentiality and data protection - measures to be put in place to maintain confidentiality and protect any other information.  

Broad participation - the relevant parties should be involved where possible. 

Reliability and independence - findings and conclusions are correct and trustworthy. 

An interested consultant(s)/firm should submit the following documents.

• CVs of the proposed consultants 
• Copies of citizenship certificate and VAT/PAN registration.
• Experience Certificate / Recommendation Letter for Research Conduct

Status updates/reporting

The consultant will be keeping in touch with & report to the Program Manager and Program Coordinator of NPL-SCI corporate financing project of YARD.

General assumptions and dependencies 

Youth Alliance for Development (YARD) will help the consultant to establish contacts with the respondents for organized orientation and management of training materials as well as coordination with schools, local government and concern CSOs wherever required and relevant. 

Cost and payment information  

The consultant should submit the total budget in the proposal with a detailed breakdown including applicable taxes. The payment will be made after the training is accomplished. The payment will be made after completion of the study and received the final study report from consultant. Tax will be deducted as per the Nepal government policy. Details are depicted below.

The consultant costs are inclusive of all preparation of slide presentation, facilitation costs and including travel cost of facilitators. 

Other important information

Sub-contracting the services as a whole or part of the services to third parties is strictly prohibited. 

Application Procedures:

Interested consultant may submit application along with technical and financial proposal, updated CV and copy of citizenship by 19 September 2026 before 5 PM, via email at yard.vacancy2025@gmail.com. Only shortlisted consultants will be notified for further process.

Helpline Number

Youth Alliance for Development (YARD)

Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-5, Kailali, Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal

Ph:- 091-411220; Cell phone:- 9761186585

Official Website: www.yard.org.np