TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)- Assessment, Resource Mapping and Development of Localized Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Guidelines

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Assessment, Resource Mapping and Development of Localized Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Guidelines

1. Organizational Background

KOSHISH is a national-level organization established in 2008 to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Nepal. Registered with the District Administration Office, Kathmandu (Reg. No. 086/065) and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council, Nepal (Reg. No. 25676), KOSHISH is recognized as an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) focused on psychosocial disability. It has been a member organization of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN) since 2066/07/19 B.S.

2. Project Information

The project “Strengthening Health Systems for the Provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Services in Municipalities of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini Provinces” is an 20-month initiative (November 2025 – June 2027), funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and implemented by KOSHISH in close coordination with local governments.

Target Locations:

• Panchadewal Binayak Municipality, Achham (Sudurpaschim Province)
• Triveni Municipality, Bajura (Sudurpaschim Province)
• Bijaynagar Rural Municipality, Kapilbastu (Lumbini Province)

Project Goal (Impact Level): Strengthened health systems for sustainable provision of quality MHPSS services in the target municipalities of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini Provinces.

Project Objective (Outcome Level): Improved accessibility and quality of MHPSS services for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, OPDs, persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, Dalit’s, women, and other vulnerable populations, in alignment with the "Leave No One Behind" (LNOB) principle.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

To conduct a rapid assessment and resource mapping of MHPSS services and support the development of localized inclusive MHPSS guidelines through meaningful consultations, capacity building, and technical support.

The assignment combines two interlinked objectives:

• Detail Assessment of the availability, accessibility, quality, referral systems and coordination mechanisms of MHPSS services and develop a resource directory and
• To prepare evidence-based localized MHPSS Guidelines that operationalize national policies and standards at municipal level.

4. Objectives

4.1 General Objective

To assess the availability, accessibility, quality and coordination of MHPSS services and conduct systematic resource mapping in the targeted municipalities, with a focus on strengthening equitable and inclusive service delivery systems and to develop localized MHPSS Guideline for the targeted Municipality.

4.2 Specific Objectives

• To consult with marginalized groups and ensure their voices are included in MHPSS planning.
• To support local governments in adopting and localizing the Community Mental Health Operational Guideline for Local Level.
• To conduct a rapid assessment of current MHPSS status and resource mapping.
• To build awareness and capacity of local stakeholders on key policy frameworks and community-based approaches.
• To draft and share the final local inclusive MHPSS guideline with the local government for endorsement. 

5. Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will undertake the following clustered tasks:

5.1 Inception and Planning

• Conduct an inception meeting with KOSHISH, GIZ, and municipal stakeholders.
• Prepare and submit an Inception Report including detailed methodology, data collection tools, and work plan.

5.2 Evidence Generation

• Carry out a desk review of relevant national, provincial, and local MHPSS policies, strategies, and reports.
• Conduct a rapid mixed-methods assessment covering service availability, accessibility, quality, human resources, infrastructure, psychotropic medicines, referral systems, coordination mechanisms, and service gaps.
• Perform comprehensive resource mapping and develop an MHPSS service directory (including digital database and visual map).

5.3 Inclusive Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Organize and facilitate consultation meetings with marginalized groups (Persons with Disabilities, Women, LGBTQIA+ communities, Dalits, and others) through supportive inclusive advocacy groups.
• Facilitate a stakeholder workshop with local government representatives (including women, Persons with Disability, Dalits, and other marginalized groups) on the Historic Supreme Court Mandate for Mental Health Reform, National Health Insurance Scheme, and community-based MHPSS approaches.

5.4 Guideline Development and Validation

• Provide technical support for drafting the localized inclusive MHPSS guideline by adapting the national Community Mental Health Program Operational Guideline for Local Level (developed by EDCD), incorporating inputs from consultations, assessment findings, and workshop.
• Facilitate validation workshops and incorporate stakeholder feedback.
• Finalize the guideline for submission to the respective local governments for endorsement.

5.5 Capacity Building and Handover

• Develop an orientation package (PowerPoint presentation, facilitator’s guide, and participant handouts).
• Conduct an orientation session for KOSHISH staff, municipal health coordinators, and key stakeholders.

6. Deliverables:

The consultant/firm shall submit the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report (methodology, tools, and work plan).

Deliverable 2: Consultation Report with marginalised groups (participant list, key issues, recommendations).

Deliverable 3: Draft MHPSS Assessment Report and Resource Mapping Directory (with digital database and preliminary visual map).

Deliverable 4: Draft Localized Inclusive MHPSS Guideline.

Deliverable 5: Validation Workshop Report.

Deliverable 6: Final MHPSS Assessment Report and Resource Mapping Directory.

Deliverable 7: Final Localized Inclusive MHPSS Guideline (ready for endorsement).

Deliverable 8: Orientation Package (PowerPoint presentation, facilitator’s guide, and participant handouts).

7. Duration of Assignment

The assignment shall be completed within 6 weeks from the date of contract signing. The consultant will report to KOSHISH and coordinate with GIZ, municipalities and other stakeholders.

8. Required qualification and expertise for consultancy

Applicants may apply either as an individual consultant (who will lead and assemble the required team) or as a firm/consultancy organization (that will deploy its own team). In both cases, the proposed team must include the following mandatory key positions with the required qualifications and experience.

i. Team Leader (TL):

Responsible for overall coordination and management of Assessment of MHPSS Services, ensuring quality assurance of survey design and implementation, supervising data collection and analysis, coordinating with stakeholders, and finalizing all deliverables, including reports and presentation of findings.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in conducting research, evaluations, or assessments/Development of Technical Guideline in public health or MHPSS programs.
• Strong knowledge of Nepal’s public/mental health systems, policies, and national frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• Proven experience in working with local governments, municipal authorities, and community representatives.
• Experience conducting MHPSS or public health research, particularly with marginalized or disability-affected populations, is strongly preferred.

ii. Data Collection and Analysis Expert:

Responsible for development and pre-testing of data collection tools, training and supervision of enumerators (if applicable), field-level data collection, data cleaning and management, statistical analysis, and contribution to reporting.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in data collection, management, and analysis of similar assessments.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data entry, cleaning, and analysis software.
• Proven experience working with local governments, community stakeholders, and vulnerable populations.
• Experience in MHPSS or public health research is strongly preferred.
• Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested consultants (individuals) or firms are requested to submit the following documents:

• Technical Proposal (Maximum 10-15 Pages)
• Financial Proposal (submitted separately)
• Updated CVs of proposed team members (maximum 3–4 pages per CV)
• Company registration documents (for firms)
• PAN/VAT registration certificate
• Evidence of similar work experience

The proposal should reach the address below either by courier or hand delivery by 23rd June 2026, before COB. Please enclose “Proposal for Assessment, Resource Mapping and Development of Localized Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) Guidelines (Sudurpaschim & Lumbini)” in a sealed envelope and drop it at the following address: KOSHISH Central Office, Balkhu, Kathmandu (For location, please visit www.koshish.org.np)

Note:

1. KOSHISH promotes equal opportunities and encourages applications from qualified women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalized communities.
2. KOSHISH is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals and maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of harm. All shortlisted candidates should be required to comply with KOSHISH’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and will undergo appropriate safeguarding checks.
3. KOSHISH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason.