Terms of Reference (ToR)- Six-Month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Six-Month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program

1. Background

Organizational Background

KOSHISH is a national-level organization established in 2008 to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in Nepal. Registered with the District Administration Office, Kathmandu (Reg. No. 086/065) and affiliated with the Social Welfare Council, Nepal (Reg. No. 25677), KOSHISH is recognized as an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) focused on psychosocial disability. It has been a member organization of the National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN) since 2066/07/19 B.S.

Guided by the principle of “NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US,” KOSHISH advocates for the inclusive and meaningful participation of individuals with mental health problems and psychosocial disabilities. The organization works to mainstream MHPSS, with a focus on marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, Dalit’s, women, and broader communities.

KOSHISH also has demonstrated experience in conducting assessments and learning-oriented research to inform evidence-based MHPSS programming, monitoring, evaluation, and policy advocacy at local and national levels.

Project Background

Under the project “Strengthening Health Systems for the Provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Services in Municipalities of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini Provinces,” funded by GIZ, KOSHISH seeks to strengthen local capacity for the provision of quality MHPSS services in Panchadewal Binayak Municipality (Achham), Triveni Municipality (Bajura), and Bijaynagar Rural Municipality (Kapilvastu).

As part of this initiative, KOSHISH intends to support the professional development of local human resources by enrolling three nominated participants in a comprehensive six-month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program delivered by a qualified training institution.

2. Purpose of the Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified training institution to deliver a comprehensive six-month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program for three participants nominated by KOSHISH from the project municipalities. The training is expected to strengthen participants’ knowledge, attitudes, practical skills, and professional competencies in psychosocial counseling, enabling them to provide ethical, quality, and community-based mental health and psychosocial support services within their respective municipalities.

3. Objectives:

The training program shall aim to:

• Enhance participants’ understanding of mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, and psychosocial disabilities.
• Develop foundational and advanced psychosocial counseling skills.
• Strengthen competencies in case management, documentation, referral, and follow-up.
• Promote ethical, rights-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive counseling practices.
• Build practical counseling experience through supervised practicum placements.
• Strengthen participants’ capacity to support individuals, families, and communities experiencing psychosocial distress.
• Enhance understanding of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in counseling practice.

4. Scope of Work:

The selected institution shall:

1. Deliver a structured six-month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program.
2. Provide qualified trainers, supervisors, mentors, and guest facilitators as required.
3. Deliver both theoretical and practical components of the training.
4. Arrange supervised practicum placements and mentoring opportunities.
5. Conduct pre-training, ongoing, and post-training assessments.
6. Maintain attendance and performance records of participants.
7. Provide training materials, manuals, handouts, and learning resources.
8. Conduct regular supervision and feedback sessions.
9. Submit periodic progress reports to KOSHISH.
10. Conduct final assessments and certify successful participants.
11. Submit a final training completion report.

5. Training Modality and Venue:

The training shall be conducted at the premises or training facility of the selected institution. The institution shall be responsible for:

• Training venue and facilities
• Accommodation and meals for participants
• Training materials and learning resources
• Facilitation and supervision
• Practicum arrangements
• Assessments and certification
• Administrative and logistical arrangements

The training should combine classroom learning, skills practice, supervised counseling sessions, and field-based practicum experiences.

6. Participants:

KOSHISH will nominate only three participants:

1. One participant from Panchadewal Binayak Municipality, Achham.
2. One participant from Triveni Municipality, Bajura.
3. One participant from Bijaynagar Rural Municipality, Kapilvastu.

7. Cost Sharing Arrangement:

KOSHISH will bear only the travel costs of the three nominated participants from their respective locations to the training venue and return. All other costs shall be clearly specified by the service provider in the financial proposal.

8. Eligibility Requirements:

Interested institutions must:

• Be legally registered in Nepal.
• Possess valid PAN/VAT registration.
• Have demonstrated experience in conducting psychosocial counseling, mental health, or related capacity-building training programs.
• Have qualified trainers and supervisors with relevant academic and professional experience.
• Demonstrate capacity to provide supervised practicum opportunities.
• Have experience working in mental health, psychosocial support, counseling, social work, psychology, public health, or related fields.

9. Evaluation Criteria:

10. Reporting and Coordination:

The selected institution shall report to the designated Project Coordinator of KOSHISH and provide regular updates on training implementation, participant attendance, performance, and practicum progress. KOSHISH reserves the right to monitor training sessions, review training materials, and participate in coordination meetings throughout the assignment.

11. Proposal Submission Requirements:

Interested institutions shall submit:

• Technical Proposal.
• Organizational Profile.
• Detailed Training Curriculum and Methodology.
• Training Implementation Schedule.
• CVs of Proposed Trainers and Supervisors.
• Evidence of Similar Assignments.
• Organization Registration Certificate.
• PAN/VAT Registration Certificate.
• Detailed Financial Proposal, including per-participant costs and cost breakdown.
• References from previous clients (if available).

12. Deliverables

The selected institution shall submit:

1. Training implementation plan and detailed schedule.
2. Training curriculum and learning materials.
3. Monthly progress reports.
4. Attendance records and participant assessment results.
5. Practicum completion records.
6. Final training completion report.
7. Certificates for participants who successfully complete the training requirements.

13. Expected Outcome:

Three participants nominated by KOSHISH successfully complete the six-month Psychosocial Counseling Training Program, demonstrate required competencies through assessments and practicum performance, and receive certification upon successful completion of all program requirements.

The proposal should reach the address below either by courier or hand delivery by 17th June 2026, before COB. Please enclose “Proposal for Conduction of 6 Month Psychosocial Counseling Training)” in a sealed envelope and drop it at the following address: KOSHISH Central Office, Balkhu, Kathmandu (For location, please visit www.koshish.org.np)

Note:

1. KOSHISH promotes equal opportunities and encourages applications from qualified women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalized communities.
2. KOSHISH is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals and maintains zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of harm. All shortlisted candidates should be required to comply with KOSHISH’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct and will undergo appropriate safeguarding checks.
3. KOSHISH reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason.