Terms of Reference (ToR) for Designing and Conducting Street Drama Events on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli and Gadhimai Municipality, Rautahat

Terms of Reference (ToR)

for 

Designing and Conducting Street Drama Events on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli and Gadhimai Municipality, Rautahat

1. Background

Heifer Project International Nepal (HPIN), a global development organization, empowers smallholder farmers to sustainably address hunger and poverty in their communities. With operations in 19 countries, Heifer invests in agricultural value chains to provide farmers with sustainable living incomes. Since its inception in Nepal in the late 1950s, Heifer has focused on livestock improvement and community mobilization, forming self-help groups, cooperatives, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.

Building Agroforestry-based Adaptation plans for Resilient floodplains (BAGAR) aims to reduce climate-induced flood risks and improve livelihoods in the floodplains of Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli and Gadhimai Municipality, Rautahat. The project prioritizes vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as Dalits and Indigenous populations, through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approaches. The project also aligns national and international commitments like the SDGs, NDCs and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The project will work with community-based organizations (CBOs), municipalities and other stakeholders to develop EbA master plans and document lessons for replication in other municipalities.

The street drama approach will facilitate a participatory and community centered understanding of climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation solutions at the local level. It will engage diverse stakeholders including community members, local governments and community-based organizations to reflect on the root causes of climate vulnerabilities affecting different social groups.

As an interactive and culturally relevant communication tool, street drama has proven effective in rural and vulnerable contexts for raising awareness and promoting behavior change. It will support the dissemination of Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) practices that are inclusive, gender-sensitive and locally appropriate thereby strengthening community resilience to climate-induced risks.

2. Project Working Areas

The project has been working with vulnerable communities in following municipalities of Bagmati and Madhesh Province:

1. Marin Rural Municipality of Sindhuli District
2. Gadhimai Municipality of Rautahat District

Both municipalities ranked ‘high’ in exposure and sensitivity to climate change and the climate risk forecast shows increasing risks in both municipalities (source: VRA 2021, MoFE)

3. Scope of Work:

The consultant/firm will design, coordinate, and implement street drama performances focused on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) under the BAGAR Project in Marin Rural Municipality (Sindhuli) and Gadhimai Municipality (Rautahat).

The primary purpose of the street drama is to raise awareness among vulnerable communities on climate change impacts, flood risks, and the role of ecosystem-based adaptation in enhancing resilience and livelihoods.

The scope of work includes:

• Develop culturally appropriate and locally relevant street drama scripts reflecting key themes of the BAGAR Project, including:
  • Climate-induced flood risks and vulnerabilities
  • Importance of agroforestry and ecosystem restoration
  • Community-based adaptation practices
  • Inclusion of vulnerable groups (Dalits, Indigenous communities, women and marginalized populations)
• Coordinate with local stakeholders including community-based organizations (CBOs), municipalities, and project partners for planning and execution.
• Organize and conduct a total of 4 street drama events:
  • 2 events in Marin Rural Municipality, Sindhuli
  • 2 events in Gadhimai Municipality, Rautahat
• Ensure the drama performances effectively communicate:
  • Local climate risks and disaster scenarios
  • Practical adaptation solutions promoted by the BAGAR Project
  • Behavior change messages for community resilience
• Engage local artists and community members where possible to ensure ownership and sustainability.
• Document the events through photos, videos, and brief reports.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES OF CONSULTANTS/SCOPE OF WORK

4.1. Responsibilities:

The consultant/firm will be responsible for:

• Designing and finalizing street drama concepts, scripts and performance plans aligned with BAGAR project objectives.
• Coordinating with HPIN/BAGAR team, local governments and community groups for event planning and implementation.
• Mobilizing actors/performers and ensuring quality rehearsals and performances.
• Conducting all 4 street drama events in the selected municipalities within the agreed timeline.
• Ensuring that all performances are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and context-specific.
• Regularly updating HPIN on progress and immediately informing of any challenges during implementation.
• Collecting audience feedback and documenting key observations from each event.
• Ensuring proper visibility of the BAGAR Project and its key messages during performances.

4.2. Deliverables:

The consultant/firm will deliver the following:

• Inception Report including:
  • Detailed implementation plan
  • Proposed script themes and methodology
  • Event schedule and locations
  • Street Drama Scripts (final versions in Nepali and/or local language)
  • Successful completion of 4 street drama events (2 per municipality)
• Event Documentation Report, including:
  • Summary of each event
  • Number and type of participants reached
  • Key messages delivered
  • Photos and videos of performances
• Final Completion Report consolidating:
  • Overall outcomes and learnings
  • Community feedback and engagement insights
  • Recommendations for scaling or improvement

5. DURATION

Work is expected to start by April 15, 2026, and May 30, 2026 (with final reporting). The Consultant may be an individual or firm. The consultancy is scheduled to last for one and half month including field work and report completion.

6. REPORTING LINE MANAGER

The consulting firm will work closely with the KM&C Manager and Program Manager/BAGAR from HPIN.

7. FEES

The budget for this assignment will be as per the procurement policy of organization and tax will be deducted as per the government policy of Nepal.

8. PAYMENT MODALITY

The payment will be made in two installments.

• 40 % at the time of agreement singing as mobilization advance after submission of inception report.
• 60% after completion of all the events and submission of final report

9. FOR SUBMISSION

The potential and interested firm/companies must submit technical and financial proposals showing their interest in street drama performances focused on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Marin Rural Municipality (Sindhuli) and Gadhimai Municipality (Rautahat). The following documents are expected to receive as technical and financial propositions within 7 days of date of announcement:-

• Letter of interest
• Technical proposal
• Financial proposal
• Copy of legal documents like: PAN/VAT, latest tax clearance certificate & registration documents etc.
• Self-declaration
• CVs of proposed professionals (2 pages max for each)
• All proposed professionals must sign the CV and clearly mention their roles, responsibilities, and level of engagement in the proposed study

It is expected that the applicant has read well and understood the Objective, Scope of Work, and requirements for proposal submission. 

The technical and financial proposal should be emailed with subject line: “Street Drama on Ecosystem Based Adaptation”.

The Technical Proposal and the Financial Proposal files MUST BE COMPLETELY SEPARATE. The financial proposal shall be encrypted with different passwords and clearly labelled. The files must be sent to the dedicated email address specified. The password for opening the Financial Proposal should be provided only upon request of HPIN. HPIN will request passwords only from bidders whose Technical Proposal has been found to be technically responsive. Failure to provide correct password may result in the proposal being rejected.

Proposals may be submitted on or before March 31, 2026, via email to HPIN Procurement Unit: 

Procurement-NP@heifer.org

10. Evaluation Criteria:

Firm/companies will be evaluated based on following criteria: The weight for technical portion of the proposal will be 80% and financial 20%. The key factors stated below will be taken in consideration during the evaluation process