Terms of Reference for Reviewing & Formulation of Policy related to Climate Change and Disaster Management at local level

Terms of Reference for Reviewing & Formulation of Policy related to Climate Change and Disaster Management  at local level

1. Background

Rural Development Centre (RDC) Nepal is a non-political and non-profit making organization established on 19 May 2002 with its head office in Rautahat District of Nepal. Since then, RDC Nepal is heavily engaged in humanitarian assistance, community development, conservation of natural resources, and environmental protection mainly in the Terai region of Nepal through the dozens of humanitarian and long-term development projects reaching out to the children, adolescents, youth, women, landless, urban poor and people living with disabilities, HIV & AIDS patients, conflict and disaster survivors from the poor families of historically marginalized Dalits, Muslims, Madhesi and Indigenous communities and other underprivileged groups.

RDC Nepal has been implementing different project in diverse thematic areas by mobilizing the funds and technical assistance from different international funding agencies. In partnership with Oxfam in Nepal, RDC Nepal is implementing Climate Change Adaptation and Advocacy Project (C-CAAP) in Nepal since April 2023. The project’s main aim is to strengthen the resilience capacity of local communities reliant on agriculture and forestry to confront climate change-related issues at local context. The project is focused at Chandrapur municipality, Rautahat and this activity focus on supporting local government on reviewing prevailing existing policy and formulation/improvement of policies related to climate change and disasters management while demonstrating practical actions/measures to build resilience to climate induced risks and facilitates on integrating climate resilient approach into the local level annual planning process.

Nepal is still in the process of transitioning to a federalism system, granting greater decision-making authority to local and provincial governments. Despite more than a decade and a half of this journey, local and provincial governments are yet to prepare various policies, plans, and strategies, including those related to climate change and disaster risk reduction legislation. During this transition, there remains a pressing need for local and provincial governments to develop these policies, plans, and strategies, particularly in the domains of Climate change and Disaster Management. Consequently, it is essential to conduct a systematic review of existing policies, acts, and legislation to assess their adequacy in addressing climate change-related issues and promoting the implementation of adaptation activities.

2. Objective:

The main objective of this assignment is to support municipal government for preparing the legislative/policy document based on the gap and need analysis through the consultative workshop procedure.

The specific objectives are detailed as; 

• To enhance the policy knowledge on Climate Change and Disaster Management at local/municipal level. 
• To facilitate the workshop at municipal level identifying the existing policy gaps related to climate change and climate induced disasters through the consultative workshop modality.
• To prepare the local/municipal level legislation/policy document based on the workshop recommendation.

3. Scope of Work:

The scope of this work majorly includes facilitation of the workshop for local/municipal level government officials, elected representatives, and relevant stakeholders for prioritizing the legal and policy provisions required for local government followed by technical support on formulating the identified or prioritized legislation or policy document. This further requires but is not limited to the following aspects:

3.1 Policy and Act Review:

• Listing of plans, policies, acts, strategies relevant to climate change Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRR&M), Environment Protection at municipal level. In-depth analysis of existing local policies, acts, and regulations related to climate change, disaster risk reduction and management, Environment Protection etc.
• Assess the alignment of existing policies with provincial and federal climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management frameworks.

3.2 Gap Analysis:

• Identify overlaps, inconsistencies, and gaps in the current legal and regulatory framework.
• Identify key gaps and deficiencies in the current existing policies and acts that need to be addressed for effective climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

3.3 Policy/Act Formulation Support:

• Consultation with local government representatives to understand their specific needs and priorities in relation to Climate change adaptation and Disaster Management
• Sharing workshop with the concerned authorities and community on policy framework Develop policy framework, orientation of framework to the local authorities.
• Compilation of queries and demand in line with policy framework. Provide technical expertise and guidance to local governments in formulating new policies or acts that address identified gaps at local context.  
• Ensure that the proposed policies/acts integrate Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation priorities, strategies and/or Disaster Risk Reduction and Management measures.

4. Methodology 

The assessment will employ a diverse range of empirical data collection and analysis tools throughout the assignment period. The following section provides a detailed description of the tasks involved in this assessment as:

A. Inception phase: 

• This phase will undertake a comprehensive review of existing local policies, acts and gaps related to Climate change, Environment Protection & Disaster Management at the local levels. This will encompass the compilation of strategies, policies, plans, guidelines, and any other policy instruments. In addition, a thorough literature review to access the current state of policy process concerning to Environment, Climate change, and DRR&M at local, provincial, and federal governance levels. This review will also explore various approaches to policy development, implementation mechanisms, effectiveness, and sustainability.
• Furthermore, it will include a brief reference to the range of different approaches taken to develop the related policies, implementation mechanism, effectiveness, and sustainability approaches. The consultant will also clearly define the methodology used for this analysis including the sources of information to be utilized in the study. 
• Throughout the assignment period, a strong emphasis will be placed on integrating gender and social inclusion considerations into all aspects of the assessment. 
• The inception phase will end with submission of the inception report and finalizing it after incorporating comments from Rural Development Centre Nepal & Oxfam in Nepal team.

B. Execution phase: 

• Following the inception phase, the assignment will progress to the execution phase, which encompasses a major part of this consultancy work. 
• Travel to project implementing sites and local government office to enhance the knowledge and information related to Environment, Climate change and Disaster Management. 
• Building upon the methods outlined in the inception report and in consultation with the project team, the expert/consultant will employ a range of data collection tools. These tools may include expert interviews, key informant interviews, and consultations with local governments, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitation of the workshop based on the understanding made from the interaction with local government representatives or focal person and with project team members.
• Local level Legislation and/or Policy drafting through a participatory and consultative approach.
• Sharing of the Legislation and/or Policy document with the relevant stakeholder and finalizing the document after incorporating the feedback received. 
• The consultant will maintain a continuous focus on integrating gender and social inclusion aspects into all aspects of the assessment.

C. Reporting phase: 

• The consultant/consultancy firm will submit the final version of the legislative/policy document as major outcome of this assignment separately.
• In addition, the final report of the entire assignment will be submitted to RDC Nepal upon the accomplishment of this assignment which will undergo through review by RDC Nepal and technical team by Oxfam in Nepal. The consultant will incorporate the feedback and submit the final version of the report.

5. Tasks, Deliverables and Suggested timeline for the consultant

6. Deliverables:

• Comprehensive review report of existing local policies, acts, and regulations related to climate change and disaster management including gap analysis with proposed recommendations.
• Legislation or Policy document of municipal level based on the recommendation made from workshop conducted at municipal level. 
• Final narrative report of the overall assignment based on the contract signing.

7. Expertise and Management 

The consultant will work in close coordination with the C-CAAP project focal person (i.e., Project Coordinator) from RDC Nepal & Technical Coordinator from Oxfam in Nepal. The deliverables will be formally approved by the project focal person, after considering the comments from Technical Coordinator, Oxfam in Nepal, and Executive Director from RDC Nepal.

The work will be carried out by the expert comprising following expertise: 

• At least master’s degree on the relevant discipline and solid working experience on relevant field for lead consultant
• Knowledge on the policy, acts, regulations, and institutional landscape for climate change adaptation, DM, and natural resource management in Nepal. 
• Skill on policy review and analysis, and actors mapping at local, provincial, and federal levels. 
• Knowledge on the nexus between climate change, Disaster Management and management of natural resources such as Water, Land and Forestry, and impacts of climate change on these resources.
• Skills on the frameworks, tools, approaches, and methodologies on Climate change, DRR&M, and Natural resource management policy analysis. 
• Prior experience of accomplishing similar consulting assignments would be added value.
• Good communication and written skills. 
• Sensitive towards Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

8. Responsibilities of RDC Nepal

The RDC Nepal will be responsible for:

• Ensuring the participants and coordination with relevant stakeholders for the events.
• All training related logistic arrangement.
• Finalizing date, time, and venue of the events.

9. Timeline:

The consultant is expected to carry out reviewing of existing local policies, acts and gaps via multi-stakeholders meeting during the second week of October 2023 and draft sharing of policy formulated within the last week of October 2023.

10. Evaluation Process

The trainer will be evaluated based on the following criteria: The weight for technical portion of the proposal will be 70% and financial 30%. The key factors stated below will be taken in consideration during the evaluation process:

• Previous work experience in the relevant areas.
• Methodological/technical aspects of carrying out the task.
• Budget and Plan (consultant fees, breakdown of activity costs, timeline etc.)

11. Mode of payment

The payment shall be made in the following installments:

12. Application Procedures

Interested candidates and agencies should submit their application material (technical and financial proposal) to rdcnepal.org@gmail.com or at RDC Nepal Office at Chandrapur – 4 with statement of subject- “Reviewing & Formulation of Policy related to Climate Change  & and Disaster Management  at local level” by 2nd October 2023. Hard copies of the application can be submitted to RDC Nepal Office. Application materials should include:

1. Legal documents – (Updated CV, Education and Experience Certificates, PAN Card)
2. Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience.
3. Technical and financial proposal, budget, and expression of interest.
4. Work plan including proposed timeline.

By accepting these terms of reference, the selected consultant/team agrees to adhere to the objectives, scope of work, and deliverables outlined above. Any deviations or changes must be communicated and agreed upon in writing with Rural Development Centre (RDC) Nepal.