Terms of Reference (TOR): Consultancy for Conducting Well-Being and Psychosocial Support Sessions in recent Protest Affected Municipalities

Terms of Reference (TOR)

For “Capacity development support to organizations of persons with disabilities to promote disability rights and inclusion in the governance and development process of Nepal” Project of KOSHISH.

Consultancy for Conducting Well-Being and Psychosocial Support Sessions in recent Protest Affected Municipalities

Project Overview:

This consortium project, led by KOSHISH with Federation of Women with Disability Nepal (FWDN) as a partner, aims to empower women with disabilities particularly from marginalized and underrepresented groups in Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces by strengthening their voice and agency to advocate for gender and disability-responsive planning, programming, and budgeting aligned with the SDGs. Despite legal guarantees under the Constitution of Nepal and the CRPD, persons with disabilities especially women face systemic exclusion due to stigma, lack of inclusive services, limited representation, and insufficient support mechanisms. The project addresses these gaps by promoting local government sensitization, strengthening OPDs and self-help groups, and fostering inclusive governance. 

Considering the recent protest in Nepal on September 8 & 9, 2025, which severely disrupted the regular services of several municipalities across Nepal, including destruction and burning of government offices, many government officials, LCC members and members of SHGs/OPDs together with local people have been left mentally and emotionally distressed. This unrest has intensified the vulnerability of women with disabilities, especially in riot affected municipalities such as Janakpur, Chandrapur, Birgunj (Madhesh), Birendranagar (Karnali), Godawari and Kailari (Sudurpaschim). As a result, we are planning to conduct well-being sessions in each of these six municipalities, targeting both government officials and members of SHGs/OPDs or local people who need support, to address the trauma, provide psychosocial support, and help them cope with stress. These sessions will offer safe spaces for emotional recovery, community healing, and resilience-building, while also laying the groundwork for the continued meaningful participation of women with disabilities in local decision-making and advocacy processes 

2. Objectives:

Specifically, this assignment will obtain following objectives: -

• To provide psychosocial support and promote emotional well-being among government officials, LCC Members and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)/Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in six protest affected municipalities of Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces- Janakpur, Chandrapur, Birgunj, Birendranagar, Godawari and Kailari by conducting well-being sessions aimed at helping them cope with the trauma and stress caused by the September 8, 2025 protest, and to strengthen their resilience and capacity for meaningful participation in inclusive local governance and advocacy to advocate for gender and disability responsive planning, programming, and budgeting with the government in line with SDGs.

3. Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to design and conduct targeted well-being sessions in six protest affected municipalities Janakpur, Chandrapur, Birgunj (Madhesh), Birendranagar (Karnali), Godawari and Kailari (Sudurpaschim) to address the psychological and emotional impact of the September 8, 2025 Gen Z protest on government officials, LCC memebers and members of SHGs/OPDs. These sessions aim to create safe, supportive environments that foster healing, restore mental well-being, and build resilience among affected individuals, particularly women with disabilities, ensuring their continued and meaningful engagement in local planning, governance, and advocacy processes.

4. Scope of Work

The scope of this assignment includes the planning, coordination, and delivery of psychosocial well-being sessions in five riot-affected municipalities Janakpur, Chandrapur, Birgunj (Madhesh), Birendranagar (Karnali), Godawari and Kailari (Sudurpaschim). The sessions will target two key groups:

1. Government officials, elected representative and LCC members who were affected emotionally and mentally by the September 8, 2025 protest, and
2. Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), particularly women with disabilities, who experienced heightened stress, trauma, and marginalization during the unrest.

The assignment will involve:

• Conducting a rapid needs assessment to understand the psychosocial impact on target groups
• Designing context-sensitive well-being session modules tailored to each group
• Facilitating separate well-being sessions for officials and SHG/OPD members in each of the six municipalities
• Providing tools and techniques for stress management, emotional healing, and resilience building
• Documenting participant feedback, challenges, and lessons learned
• Submitting a final report with recommendations for continued psychosocial support and integration of mental well-being in local planning processes.

The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with local authorities, OPDs, and relevant stakeholders to ensure inclusivity, relevance, and sustainability of outcomes.

6. Deliverables:

a. Well-Being Session Plan & Methodology Document

A detailed plan outlining session objective, target groups, content, methodology (e.g., group therapy, mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches), duration, and facilitation tools tailored for both government officials, elected representative, LCC member and SHG/OPD members.

b. Municipality-Wise Implementation Schedule

A timeline and logistical plan for conducting sessions in each of the six affected municipalities: Janakpur, Chandrapur, Birgunj, Birendranagar, Godawari and Kailari.

c. Delivery of 12 Well-Being Sessions

Facilitation of a total of 12 separate well-being sessions:

• 6 for government officials, elected representatives and LCC members
• 6 for SHG/OPD members

Conducted across the six target municipalities (one session per group per municipality).

d. Participant Feedback & Evaluation Summary

Collection and analysis of participant feedback (through surveys, interviews, or group discussions) to assess session effectiveness, emotional impact, and areas for improvement.

e. Session Documentation

Detailed session reports including participant numbers (disaggregated by gender and disability), key discussion points, challenges faced, and observations.

f. Final Assignment Report

A comprehensive report summarizing the process, key findings, outcomes, and recommendations for further psychosocial support and integration into local governance or development programming.

g. Photo and Media Documentation (with consent)

Visual documentation to support reporting, awareness-raising, or future advocacy (while respecting participant privacy and dignity).

7. Eligibility and desired profile of consultant

• A PAN/VAT registered consultancy firm/Company/Individuals
• The lead member of consultant/Individual must have the affiliation of counselling/psychology from authorized agencies registered under Nepal. 
• Relevant working experience of providing such services for more than 2 years.
• Sound knowledge and practice of do no harm policy, safeguarding of vulnerable people,and maintain ethical standards thereof.

8. Required documents for proposal submission:

• Cover Letter
• Technical and financial proposal
• Profile of consultant including resume of team leader and members
• Framework Content for developing guidelines / tool
• Methodological design includes work plan and quality assurance mechanism.
• Copy of Company/firm registration certificate with latest renewal
• Copy of Tax clearance certificate for last fiscal year.
• Copy of VAT registration certificate.

9. Expected duration of consultancy service:

The successful consultant will be provided with one month of consultancy service agreement. The number of days is effective from the date this MOU gets signed.

10. Budget and release of payment

KOSHISH will evaluate the proposals as per the procurement guidelines of the organization. The technically and financially responsive proposal will be accepted for the consultancy service. The payment will be made in following three following installments:

All the installments released are subject to the request for payment or tax invoice (if applicable) from the consultant.

11. Application procedure

All the eligible Individuals/consultants, companies/firms are requested to submit the proposal along with the required documents via email procurement@koshish.org.np to KOSHISH's central office located in Balkhu, Lalitpur. The deadline for submission of proposal is November 6th, 2025 before 5:00 PM. May obtain additional information upon enquiry on +977 9768445170 or shrila.sarkar@koshish.org.np