Terms of Reference (ToR) For Consultant (write up) to update Milky Way Signature Program (2025-2035)

Terms of Reference (ToR)

For Consultant (write up) to update Milky Way Signature Program (2025-2035)

1. Background & Rationale

Heifer Project International Nepal (HPIN) is implementing a signature program "Milky Way- Transforming Dairy Sector of Nepal" in collaboration with Department of Livestock Services, National Dairy Development Board, Heifer Korea and other relevant stakeholders. It has a broad goal of enhancing dairy animal productivity and quality of products in a sustainable way through genetic improvement and adoption of climate friendly good dairy husbandry practices to help 500,000 smallholder dairy farmers to bridge the living income gaps.

Model Dairy Village (MDV) with nucleus herd of HF cattle has been established and in the process of establishing it for Jersey breed as well. The improved practices and technologies from MDV are currently being replicated/scaled to other areas of Nepal in coordination with dairy farmers’ institutions. There are still several constraints that keep the dairy sector far from reaching its full potential. Productivity particularly at smallholder farmers level remains low, limited adoption of climate friendly dairy technologies and practices, little incentive to invest in dairy given high production costs, poor cattle genetics, and volatile / unstable market conditions influenced by internal and external factors. To strengthen the resilience of smallholder dairy farmers against various shocks, existing program need to be revisited to address emerging challenges. Furthermore, Heifer International is in a transition mode and adopting a new program model to encompass food system transformation while still adhering t

In this context, HPIN is willing to update Milky Way Signature Program to align with the Heifer's new program model and the changing context. For this, several consultative meetings have been organized with large numbers of stakeholders, and the outcomes of the consultative meetings have been synthesized. HPIN is seeking a competent consultant to redefine and rewrite Milky-way signature program adhering to the new program and operational model incorporating the recommendations of the series of consultative meetings.

2. Objectives of Assignment

The main objective of this assignment is to update the existing milky way signature program aligning with Heifer International’s New Program and Operational Model and changing dairy ecosystem in the country and globally.

3. Scope of Work (SOP)

• Fully understand Heifer International's New Program and Operational Model, its core elements, facilitators and objectives.
• Review the existing Milky Way Signature Program document and figure out still relevant components, lacking components in changing national and international dairy contexts.
• Review dairy related policies and identify core areas to be reflected in the updated signature program
• Conduct consultative meetings with the Milky Way Signature Program Heifer Team and Collaborating Institutions to understand the progress made as of now under existing signature program.
• Consult and work with previous consultative meetings facilitators and extract the essential components/ recommendations to be incorporated in the updated signature program.
• Update existing theory of change, Result Framework and Key Indicators along with table of content, share to Heifer team and incorporate feedback for finalization.
• Rewrite the Milky Way signature program incorporating the essence of original program components with addition of new and emerging issues aligning with the New Program and Operational Model of Heifer keeping in 10 years horizon.
• Present the Updated Signature Program at Heifer office and incorporate the suggestions arising at the meeting.
• Incorporate the feedback from Heifer Regional Office
• Finalize and share the Updated Milky way signature program document.

4. Deliverables & Timeline: 2.5 Months (01 Nov 2025-15 Jan 2026)

5. Requirements:

• The consultant should have at least Master's degree, preferably a Doctorate in Animal Science/ Dairy Science or in any other relevant discipline from a reputed university with at least 15 years of relevant work experience.
• The consultant should have clear understanding of dairy sector of Nepal and neighboring countries as well as dairy and other relevant policies of the country.
• Previous experience of designing programs/ projects and writing winning proposals on Food system/ livestock / dairy development from bilateral /multilateral donor agencies (USAID, world bank, IFAD etc) as well as preparing strategic and policy documents for the government of Nepal. The consultant shall submit evidence of such task completion.
• Excellent writing skills

6. Ethical Standards & Compliance

Mandatory adherence to: Do-No-Harm, PSEAH, child protection, data protection, animal welfare, and environmental safeguards.

7. Application Process

Interested individual consultants are invited to submit applications to Procurement-NP@heifer.org with the title: “Proposal for update Milky Way Signature Program” by no later than 12 October 2025, 5:00 PM, along with following documents.

1. Letter of Interest
2. Technical proposal (understanding of ToR, methodology, work plan)
3. Financial proposal
4. Signed CV (maximum 3 pages)
5. Relevant work samples (two recent documents/reports) or references.
6. PAN certificate

HPIN reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and to annul the selection process and reject all Proposals at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to affected individuals.