Terms of Reference (ToR) for Consultancy services on facilitating and developing of Agricultural Policy with Strategy plan for Aathbis Municipality of Dailkeh, Karnali Province of Nepal

Terms of Reference (ToR) for

Consultancy services on facilitating and developing of Agricultural Policy with Strategy plan for Aathbis Municipality of Dailkeh, Karnali Province of Nepal

A. Background

Introduction of Everest Club, Dailekh

Everest Club (EC), Dailekh, is one of the leading non-governmental organizations. It was established in 1993 as a nonprofit organization in the Dailekh District Administration Office. The Everest Club (EC) was established by local youths with the aim of creating a civilized and self-reliant society. We realized that we should have established non-profit organizations for cultural and social service providers, especially in the areas of health, education, sanitation, nutrition, agriculture promotion, WASH, natural economy, social empowerment, etc., in Dailekh Kalikot, Jumla, and Jajarkot Districts as per the aspirations of Karnali.

From the beginning, it has been working to implement sustainable development with a primary focus on the deprived and disadvantaged community by qualified, experienced professionals and dedicated young hands. The NGO is now working for the creation of a self-reliant society by improving their socio-economic status. Everest Club is working in renewal energy promotion, climate change and adoption WASH promotion, drinking water scheme functionality, income generation, sustainable soil management, small irrigation, marketing, advocacy and networking, empowerment, and organization development to create a self-reliant society through improving their (focused community) socio-economic status.

Introduction to the project

The KIRAN project’s vision is that the children from the most deprived and marginalized families are educated and protected, and their families are economically resilient. It will be achieved through improved food security, income-generating opportunities, expanded coverage of social protection services for parents and caregivers, and improving the access of children, especially those who are out of school, to quality basic education through various means such as alternative education programs (AEP), school-at-home programs, homeschooling, supporting them with bursaries until their parents are capable of earning through projects that promote improved livelihood opportunities, etc. Similarly, the project intends to assure quality child protection services for children who are the most vulnerable and at risk of child labor. This project will strengthen the capacity-building of child protection structures, child clubs, and their networks. Parasocial workers, the trained volunteers are mobilized to implement the Steps to Protect common approach along with other child protection structures to support vulnerable children and youths and extricate them from the risk of child labor or child migration. Their parents will be strongly encouraged to join the project, which promotes livelihood interventions. Lastly, the project will focus on strengthening the local government's capacity for integrated information management and planning related to sectors like education, child protection, livelihoods, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Females and children’s capability to do climate change analysis and accordingly advocate with local government to ensure climate risk-informed planning will be further strengthened through empowerment sessions. Local governments will be supported in developing risk-informed sectoral plans and policies and their implementation so that the needs of children and poor families in multiple sectors are effectively addressed.

Livelihood intervention was envisioned as a foundational intervention in this project. There are tremendous opportunities in both municipalities for improving the livelihoods of families through the promotion of high-value agricultural products. Both municipalities lack guiding policy documents on agriculture promotion. Therefore, in consensus with Aathbis municipality for the preparation of agricultural policy, we are publishing this ToR for the consultancy services to support the municipality in preparing agriculture policy, along with an action plan as technical support for promoting RM's role in the agriculture sector.

B. Objective of this assignment

The objective of this assignment is to provide technical support for the preparation of an agriculture policy and an action plan for the Aathbis Municipality of Dailekh district with proper consultation with the target communities and relevant stakeholders.

C. Specific tasks of the assignment 

The detailed tasks of preparing agricultural policy are as follows:

• Desk review of laws and policies endorsed by the federal as well as provincial level government. and also, desk review of laws, policies, and programs of Aathbis municipality (related to agriculture) to prepare an agriculture policy along with an action plan.
• Facilitate at least two consultations (firstly, an initial consultation to collect information, ideas, and feedback from municipality officials, including farmers, and secondly, a validation workshop) with Aathbis municipality and implementing partners, including IM.
• Prepare the final agriculture policy and strategy plan in consultation with Aathbis municipality and Everest Club Nepal in the given time frame. This policy should also address the special concerns of small farmers, including access to land for poor, landless, and marginalized communities, in accordance with the legal provisions of the Law of Nepal.
• This policy should pay special consideration to the economic and social inclusion of women and youth.
• Submit the final product of the agriculture policy with an action plan for Aathbis municipality to support its endorsement or ratification.

D. Methodology  

Desk Review: This consultancy is mainly based on desk reviews for developing policy and strategy plans for Aathbis municipality.

Data collection and consultation with municipality and Implementing Partners: The consultant should consult with the relevant authorities of Aathbis municipality and the implementing partner. Aathbis municipality will coordinate to conduct such consultation meetings as required. The consultant should also visit agriculture sites and pocket areas and interact with some of the farmers to collect their opinions and feedback.

Feedback collection meeting/interactive discussion: After the preparation of the first draft, the consultant should share a soft copy of the policy with the strategy plan and collect feedback for its finalization. If the COVID pandemic situation prevails, the suggestions could be collected through virtual communication. After the incorporation of feedback, the consultant will finalize the policy and strategy plan and make a final submission or presentation. The consultant will work independently in close coordination with Aathbis municipality, Everest Club Dailekh, and Save the Children to carry out the assignment.

E. Expected Deliverables

Agriculture Policy, including strategy plan (in Nepali version), incorporates feedback from Aathb is municipality, Save the Children, and Everest Club, as mentioned above.

F. Estimated timeframe and deliverables

The consultant shall take overall responsibility for preparing an agriculture policy with an action plan as per this TOR and shall complete the assignment as per the following time plan. The given time line cannot be extended.

G. Remuneration/Cost

The consultant(s) are requested to submit their per-day remuneration rate for 19 (nineteen) days (including applicable tax) for the aforementioned assignment.

H. Travel cost:  Air fare (if required) and field travel cost: a reasonable cost to be proposed by the consultant.

I. Mode of Payment: Payment will be as follows:

• The first installment will be paid 40% of the agreed amount upon completion of the first deliverables (Section F.1).
• The second installment (remaining 60%) will be paid after completion of the task, submission, and approval of the policy and action plan.

J. Academic qualification and professional experiences

Required qualifications:

Education: A master's degree in agriculture or any other relevant discipline with relevant work experience in agriculture and policymaking will be an added advantage.

Experience and minimum requirement:

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience in policy formulation on agriculture and rights to the food sector, especially at the local level.
• Having demonstrated expertise on food and agriculture, or ESC rights,
• Having a good understanding and knowledge of right-to-agriculture issues and relevant studies.
• Good understanding of the duties of local government and the rights of poor and marginalized communities, especially marginalized communities.
• Hands-on experience in preparing policy, strategy and action plans, position papers, and policy briefs.
• Good understanding of Nepal’s legal and political systems, legislative framework, and the current context of political governance in Nepal.
• Strong experience on relevant subject matter (right to agriculture).
• Good writing skills in the Nepali language.
• The consultant should be registered in the tax system.

K. Application Procedure and selection process

Interested consultants, experts, and consultancy firms are requested to submit their updated CV or consultancy firm profile, mentioning their per-day rate for the aforementioned date and assignment, and should email Mr. Deepak Shahi, executive director of Everest Club, Dailekh, at: shahideepak431@gmail.com and Everest Club Dailekh email ID: everestclubdailekh@gmail.com. The CV should mention previous work experience in policy drafting in the agriculture sector, especially. at the local, provincial, and federal levels. The consultant should submit the proof-reference document that they have already done. The application letter should mention the key proposed methodology for the assignment. The application should also include all the compliance-related documents (company registration, VAT/PAN certificate). After receiving the fully compliant application, the selection committee will shortlist the most potential applicants based on the methodology, including the time plan, the previous relevant experience, the relevant CV, and cost effectiveness.

L. Timeline of application:

First date of circulation of ToR: April 23, 2024

Last date of application: 30 April 2024

Consultancy Proposal Form Link:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ZftLy8_Lq6hzz7JRUxBHBK14yrqZDKkn