Terms of Reference (ToR) Hiring consultant for analysis of achievements and recommending activities, approaches and strategies for the next phase of SDHS Project

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Hiring consultant for analysis of achievements and recommending activities, approaches and strategies for the next phase of SDHS Project

1. Background

Oxfam is an international confederation of 19 organizations network together in more than 65 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty. Oxfam has been working in Nepal for 40 years to support the Government of Nepal with the vision to create a just society without poverty; a society in which all women and men live a life of dignity, enjoy their rights and assume their responsibilities as active citizens of Nepal. Through its different program, it aims to provide people with livelihood opportunities, ensuring that development-related activities are demand driven and sustainable and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights.  As defined by the new Country Strategy (2020-2025), Oxfam will work in three inter-connected thematic sectors; 1) Gender Justice, 2) Resilience and Climate Justice and 3) Water Governance. By working in these sectors, Oxfam aims to provide people with opportunities to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality, ensuring that development-related activities are gender sensitive, socially inclusive, demand driven and sustainable, and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights. Oxfam works in close coordination with national and local governments and civil society organizations to support marginalized, socially excluded and economically poor communities. 

Project Background:

Sowing Diversity = Harvesting Security” (SD=HS) is a multi county project and is currently being implemented in Sudurpaschim province of Nepal jointly by Oxfam Nepal and LIBIRD. The programme is supported by Oxfam Novib and funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The project’s overall objective is that indigenous peoples and smallholder farmers enjoy their Farmers’ Rights and have the capacity to access, develop and use plant genetic resources to improve their food and nutrition security under conditions of climate change. The SD=HS programme has four interconnected pillars/components. Pillar 1 aims to broaden the genetic base of the crops through Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) and contribute in effective management of plant genetic resources by empowering indigenous and smallholder farmers. Pillar 2 focuses on establishing and strengthening Farmers' Seed Enterprises (FSE), which strives to provide smallholder farmers with access to improved, appropriate, adapted, and affordable seeds that meet their needs.  Pillar 3 relates to the Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS) and their strategic management such that there is an increase in the intake of nutritious food based on local biodiversity. Pillar 4 takes an evidence-based approach to policy influencing based on the work in the first three pillars that creates an environment to realise the goals of the project. 

The SD=HS is a multi country project and Nepal was chosen to implement the second phase of the project. The second phase in Nepal is from 2019 to 2022. In the last three and half years, SD=HS was able to initiate project activities in all the countries and make significant strides toward the agreed outcomes. The global team is looking for the next phase that starts from 2024 till 2028. Therefore the focus of this assignment will be to recommend interventions for the next phase of SD=HS in Nepal. It aims to determine lessons learned from the project and developed a conceptual framework for the next phase.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The major objective of this consultancy is to develop a conceptual framework for the next phase. The specific objectives are as follows:

• To document and analyse achievements made so far considering internal challenges and external constraints of the project; 
• To capture lessons and make recommendations on how SD=HS can achieve its objectives. 
• To identify areas that needs to be focused/integrated in next phase  
• To develop a broader MEAL framework for the proposed next phase 

Key questions 

• How to best integrate different pillars of the project?
• How do strengthen the institutionalisation of the project activities?
• How to focus on gender and youth leadership?
• Should we go beyond seed or stick to the theme?
• What new theme can be integrated into the current project?

3. Methodology: 

The study will principally use qualitative methods including review of relevant secondary information and project documents. Consultant can obtain project related documents; proposals, reports and evaluation etc. from Oxfam office Nepal. Consultant is required to conduct FGD and KII with cooperatives and community seed banks, farmer’s field school and farmer’s seed groups, project staff and stakeholders. Alternatively, remaining within this broader framework, consultant can propose appropriate methodologies for the study as well. 

4. Task, deliverables, and suggested time frame for consultant 

The key deliverable is a report that responds to the objectives and scope of the assignment as outlined above. A suggested content of the report is given in annex 1. The report should provide an analysis of achievements, with the presentation of key findings and recommendations for the organization.

5. Management responsibility 

The primary reporting officer for this assignment will be the technical coordinator-SDHS Project. The other stakeholders for this study are thematic leads for gender justice and resilience and climate justice, and concerned partners’ staff. 

6. Duration: Start date and completion date

It is estimated that the task will require at least 20 person-days including an estimated 5 days in the field (excluding travel days). The non-negotiable deadline for this task is 30 September 2022. 

7. Budget and terms of payment 

30% of the agreed amount will be disbursed after receiving inception report and upon the satisfaction of the reporting officer whereas remaining 70% of the agreed amount will be released after receiving final report and upon the satisfaction of reporting officer.

Estimated budget

8. Profile of the firms and/or consultants 

We are looking for a consultant or a team of consultants with the following experiences, academic qualifications, and competencies: 

• At least master’s degree in agricultural sciences, Ph D preferred
• Knowledge of and experience in collecting, analysing and presenting findings from qualitative data
• Proven record of experience in conducting similar assignments

9. Documents for submission 

Interested consultancy firm can apply by submitting the following: 

• A technical proposal including (4 pages) 
  • Description of how skills and experience match the TOR requirements (2 pages),
  • Proposed methodology and work plan (2 pages) 
• A financial proposal: should include a detailed budget sheet with breakdowns (1 page)
• CV of consultants (4 pages)
• Organization’s profile 
• VAT Registration Certificate
• Company Registration Certificate and renewal
• Tax clearance certificate 2077/78
• Contact detail (Name, designation, organization, email ID and phone no.) of 2 referees for similar work

10. Proposal review/scoring criteria

The total score is 100 points that include 70 points on technical expertise, organizational profile, understanding of the assignment, study design and methodology, and 30 points on budget plan.

11. Ethical consideration 

The Consultant will be required to take all the necessary actions to handle the collected data responsibly (see Oxfam Responsible Data Policy) to ensure data privacy, anonymity, and confidentiality.

12. Our commitment to safeguarding 

Oxfam is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff, consultants, volunteers to share this commitment. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work within our values are selected to work for us.  

13. Confidentiality/Non-disclosure 

All material issued in connection with this ToR shall remain the property of Oxfam and shall be used only for the purpose of this procurement exercise. All information provided shall be either returned to Oxfam or securely destroyed by unsuccessful applicants at the conclusion of the procurement exercise. 

During the performance of the assignment or at any time after expiry or termination of the Agreement, the Consultant shall not disclose to any person or otherwise make use of any confidential information which s/he has obtained or may in the course of this agreement relating to partner organization/Oxfam, the respondents or otherwise. 

The consultant will be required to sign a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement as part of their undertaking of this work.  

14. Intellectual property, Copyright, and Ownership of all prepared information

The Consultant shall retain all rights to pre-existing (background) intellectual property or materials used by the Consultant in the delivery of this study. All arising intellectual property, ideas, materials, processes, or processes formed in contemplation, course of, or as result of this study shall be passed to Oxfam without restriction.

The Consult shall warrant that all arising Intellectual Property, materials and/or products produced in pursuit of this study shall be original and shall not infringe on any third party’s claim. All technical or business information, in whatever medium or format, originated, collated or prepared by or for the Consultant in contemplation, course of, or as result of this assignment shall be transferred to Oxfam without restriction on completion and shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose without express written permission of Oxfam. 

Copyright of all arising documents, data, information or reports produced by the Consultant under this agreement shall belong to Oxfam and will be passed to Oxfam without restriction. Such documents, data, information and reports shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose other than in conjunction with this assignment, without the express written permission of Oxfam.

15. Response

The Consulting VAT Registered Firm should submit the technical and financial proposal to Oxfam by 8 August 2022 before 5 pm via mail to consultancy_nepal@oxfam.org.uk, clearly mentioning the title of assignment in the email subject line “Analysis of SDHS Project” and not exceeding 15 MB

Annex 1

The report must be written in English, and should not exceed 60 pages (excluding annexes). It should  have the following outline: 

1. Cover page, including the date of completion 
2. Table of contents 
3. Glossary and list of abbreviations 
4. Executive summary (2 – 4 pages, to be used as a stand-alone document) 
5. Introduction and objectives of the assignment
6. The intervention and context (project) 
7. Methodology, including an indication of any perceived limitations of the assignment itself 
8. Presentation of the main findings and analysis 
9. Conclusions 
10. Key lessons and recommendations 
11. Appendices 
    1. The Terms of Reference 
    2. A list of interviewees (name, function, and working environment) and of the places visited 
    3. A list of the documents reviewed and the bibliography used 
    4. Details on the composition of the evaluation team (names, nationality, expertise, working environment) 
    5. Links to other methodological documents, including the assignment proposal submitted; the assignment instruments used (such as questionnaires and interview guides), and the pathway research report(s)