Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant: Right Here Right Now Nepal Coalition Country Strategy Development

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant: Right Here Right Now Nepal

Coalition Country Strategy Development

1. Introduction

The Right Here Right Now 2 (RHRN2) partnership is created so that young people in all their diversity enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in gender-just societies. Young people are at the forefront of our partnership. We seek to unleash the power of youth, to increase public support for SRHR, to improve policies and laws, and to strengthen civil society. Lobbying and advocacy is our main strategy, supported by mutual capacity strengthening.

Our partnership comes at a critical time when SRHR as well as gender justice are under pressure around the world, and young people’s needs consistently go unmet. We do not shy away from taboo subjects such as comprehensive sexuality education and safe abortion, and advocate for the rights of marginalized groups such as girls, young women, and young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. We focus on these issues and groups because, based on our collective track records, we can, and because few other consortia and organizations do.

The Nepal coalition consists of diverse organization representing youth led organization, women feminist network organization, organization led by people with disabilities and LGBTIQA organization. The coalition envisions to ensure young people aged 15-30 in their diversity are empowered to exercise all aspects of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in a supportive social and enabling legal environment in Nepal. 

The RHRN2 coalition in Nepal, consists of 6 civil society organizations, 

1. Beyond Beijing Committee (BBC)
2. Blue Diamond Society (BDS)
3. Blind Youth Association Nepal (BYAN)
4. CDS Park
5. Youth Alliance For Development (YARD)
6. YUWA – Lead organization

2. Purpose

The consultant/ consultancy is tasked with developing RHRN Nepal Coalition's next Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029 through an inclusive and participatory process. The consultant/consultancy will work closely and the direct guidance of the Country Coordinator and Steering Committee of Right Here Right Now 2 Nepal Coalition. The Country Coordinator will serve as the primary contact point.

The Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029 will be guided by RHRN Nepal Coalition’s mission, vision and core values.

The consultant/consultancy is expected to include all six (6) Coalition partners throughout the country; Bagamati, Karnali and Far West provinces along with relevant stakeholders as identified and agreed in the inception stage.

3. Objective

This consultancy aims to develop a comprehensive and inclusive country strategy for the RHRN Nepal Coalition aligned with its vision, values and principles.  The strategy will prioritize the following key areas;

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Expand access to comprehensive SRHR information, services, and products for young people, focusing on marginalized communities.
• Gender Justice: Promote gender equality, eliminate gender-based violence, and empower women and girls, including those from marginalized communities.
• Economic Empowerment: Enhance economic opportunities and financial inclusion for young women and girls, particularly those from marginalized communities.
• Intersectionality: Analyze and address the compounded vulnerabilities faced by individuals and groups at the intersections of marginalized identities (e.g., gender, caste, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.). This includes recognizing and responding to unique challenges faced by LGBTQI+ youth, young people with disabilities, and youth from marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
• Climate Justice: Integrate climate change considerations into all interventions and advocacy efforts, recognizing its significant impact on SRHR, gender justice, and economic empowerment. This involves promoting sustainable practices, building resilience to climate shocks, and advocating for policies that ensure a just transition towards a low-carbon future.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Review existing documents

RHRN Coalition Theory of Change, Global Strategies, relevant national and international policies, reports, and studies on SRHR, gender justice, and economic empowerment in Nepal.

Consultations

Conduct consultations with Coalition members, young people, government officials, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to gather inputs and perspectives on the strategic priorities.

Data analysis

Analyze available data on SRHR, gender justice, and economic empowerment in Nepal to identify key challenges and opportunities.

Situation analysis

Develop a comprehensive situational analysis of the SRHR, gender justice, and economic empowerment landscape in Nepal, highlighting progress made, challenges faced, and opportunities for the RHRN Coalition.

Strategy development

Draft a five-year country strategy for the Nepal Coalition, including:

• Clear vision and mission statements
• Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives for each focus area
• Priority intervention areas and activities
• Monitoring and evaluation framework
• Sustainability plan
• Risk mitigation strategies.

Presentations and discussions

Present the draft strategy to the Nepal Coalition and key stakeholders for feedback and discussion.

Finalization

Revise the strategy based on feedback and finalize the document.

5. Process and Methodology

The consultant/ consultancy should design fit -for-purpose model for Nepal Coalition which should include:

• A literature review of internal documents including different project proposals, Theory of Change, project reports, Study Reports, publications, and evaluations to derive a descriptive narration of key problems, issues, barriers and trends that the program is addressing including key strengths and lessons learned. 
• A literature review of key external documents published by I/NGOs, members, UN agencies and other sources.
• Stakeholders mapping and primary research with first layer of stakeholders (including but not limited to staff, members, beneficiaries, civil society and public experts) through qualitative methods and instruments such as Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and consultative workshops (where required) to triangulate with findings from secondary data and also identify themes and potential solutions/strategies.
• Compilation of Theory of Change diagram with clear pathways of change, narrative and other associated sections as mentioned above in sections 4.
• Validation of program and organizational strategies through formal exercises/consultations/workshops and incorporation of feedback received.

6. The consultant will be asked to lead on the following activities:

• Review and adaptation of existing program theory of change, global program strategies, recent evaluation reports and theory of change templates and finalizing an overall strategy in the inception report of the consultancy.
• Adaptation and application of modern-day strategy development tools and methodologies such as stakeholder analysis, power and gender analysis, environmental and climate change screening, and mapping tools etc.
• Ensuring a participatory and inclusive process with involvement of all stakeholders.
• Ensuring privacy and non-disclosure of sensitive data and information.

7. Deliverables

• Inception report outlining the updated methodology and work plan, incorporating key focus areas including intersectionality and climate justice.
• Draft country strategy document with expanded focus areas.
• Presentation materials for stakeholder consultations reflecting the new priorities.
• Final country strategy document integrating feedback and finalized action plans.
• Final report summarizing the consultation process, key findings, and considerations for intersectionality and climate justice.

8. Timeframe

The consultancy will last for the period of 3 – 4 months and it is expected to be completed the task by end of 31st July 2024.

9. Essential Criteria: skills and experience required

The consultant/ consultancy should have the following individual/ collective skills and qualifications:

• A consultant or a team of consultants with advanced degrees in the field of human rights, international relations/ affairs, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the areas of human rights, justice, peace and sustainable development in Nepal and Asia. Minimum 10 years of demonstrated experience of using a ToC framework approach of developing strategies preferably for NGOs working on human rights.
• Demonstrated experience of designing and implementing participatory research methodologies.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of using Results Based Management principles in monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Ability to consolidate and triangulate data and derive meaningful information from multiple sources.
• Flexible, organized, and ability to perform in high stress environments.
• Excellent writing and editing skills (Written and oral fluency in English is a requirement).

10. Desirable skills and experience; Preferable

• A consulting firm registered and based in Nepal.
• A diverse team representing a range of age, Gender, Racial and linguistic identities.
• Firms and/or individuals with teams based.

11. Budget

Negotiable

12. Applicant requirements

• Technical Proposal outlining the proposed design and methodology and the justification for the selected methodology.
• Financial Budget provides a breakdown of time spent on each task, roles and responsibilities per team member.
• Consultant/ consultancy profile and CV(s)
• List of strategies developed with name of organizations (if possible, if not, nature of industry), duration of assignment and year of completion.
• Certificates of completion from previous clients preferably in areas of strategic development for human rights organizations.

13. How to apply

Interested parties should send the documents mentioned in section 12 to applications@yuwanepal.org with subject title “Consultancy: RHRN Nepal Country Strategy Development” on or before 5th May 2024.

Only the shortlisted consultant/ consultancy will be contacted for further process.

Note: RHRN Nepal Coalition reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and is not bound to accept the lowest priced proposal.

14. Contact Information

For further information or inquiries, please contact:

Rajendra Maharjan

Country Coordinator

rajendra@yuwanepal.org

USEFUL CONSIDERATIONS

For the whole process of the strategic development, a participatory approach towards data collection, analysis and reporting should be employed through:

Inclusive approach to ensure maximum participation of all segments of target population to address all gender and sexual identities and orientations, young people, marginalized communities. The strategy development process will include careful consideration of the current socio-economic status of various marginalized segments of society, including LGTBIQA+, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable groups.

Collaboration with RHRN Coalition concerned programs and the management at the design, and implementation and validation stages of the strategies.

Data protection and privacy through seeking formal and written consent of all stakeholders especially during primary data collection and citations during secondary data review.