Request for Proposal (RFP): Land Literacy Application Development

Terms of Reference (TOR) 

for

Consultancy Service

1. Context and Background 

Habitat for Humanity International Nepal (Habitat Nepal) is an international non-governmental organization that is driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. In Nepal, we address housing needs of families in need of decent, affordable housing through our partnership with homeowners, duty bearers, civil society, financial institutions, academia, and relevant stakeholders. The organization serves marginalized families and communities, by promoting greener, affordable, and disaster-resilient solutions and technologies for safe housing construction, advocating for land tenure security and joint land titles, and empowering communities at the risk of climate related disasters to apply local knowledge and practices for nature-based solutions. Through decent and adequate housing, we support families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.

The 'land and housing' sector remains a least explored complex subject with multiple understandings. Low level of awareness, limited knowledge – legal and social – among communities, and minimal evidence-based advocacy about land and housing are liable to the multiplicity of understanding and unclarity of establishing secure and sustainable access to land and housing rights even though the government has been implementing various land and housing rights programs for landless, informal settlers, and marginalized families. Therefore, it has become indispensable to increase and enhance understanding of larger population including all concerned individuals, authorities, and institutions about land and housing related laws, policies, and practicalities through an educational and/or awareness program. For this purpose, Habitat Nepal seeks to develop 'Land Literacy App' and implement it in partnership with Land Management Training Centre (LMTC) of the Government of Nepal.

The 'Land Literacy App' will be an open-access knowledge sharing and learning platform for policy makers, students, researchers, practitioners, communities, and activists working on and around land and housing issues in Nepal. It will serve as an educational and awareness raising freely accessible digital learning app developed based on the Land Literacy Module that Habitat Nepal recently co-developed with LMTC and Community Self Reliance Centre (CSRC). The consultant will also support in layout designing of the Land Literacy Module. 

As Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) globally pursues strategy of build and influence, our work on supporting policy planning and implementation practices related to land and housing that contribute towards bringing transformational changes in the lives of landless and marginalized communities becomes a fundamental priority. With our successful pilot initiatives on land rights and housing programs in partnership with Local Governments in Nepal, it is an opportune time to build upon these successes to scale up tenure security, equitable access to land, and housing through sustainable land use planning program.  

2. Objectives  

The main objective of this consultancy service is to 

• Develop easy to follow and high quality 'Land Literacy App' as a digital platform for land related awareness raising purpose in Nepal.

Specific objectives are to:

• Support in layout designing of the Land Literacy Module.
• Develop content for 'Land Literacy App' based on the Land Literacy Module.
• Develop easy to follow and high quality 'Land Literacy App'.
• Support in integrating the ‘Land Literacy App’ in Land and Housing Digital Resource Center being hosted by Land Management Training Centre (LMTC) of the Government of Nepal.

3. Scope of Work 

The successful candidate/consultant/consultancy firm will provide overall facilitation and leadership to develop a ‘Land Literacy App’ in close coordination and collaboration with Habitat Nepal, LMTC, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, and relevant Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to:  

• Review Land Literacy Module and lead layout design for the publication of the Module.
• Develop content for the ‘Land Literacy App’ based on the Land Literacy Module.
• Develop easy to follow and high quality 'Land Literacy App'.
• Support integration of the ‘Land Literacy App’ into the Land and Housing Digital Resource Center being hosted by LMTC.
• Coordination with the relevant government bodies and stakeholders as required during the assignment. 

4. Methodology 

The consultant may propose innovative and appropriate methodology for this consultancy service. 

5. Key Deliverables  

The following are the key deliverables:

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience 

The consultancy team should be comprised of members having the following qualifications, skills, and experience within their team: 

• Expertise in IT – Bachelors in Information Technology with a minimum of 5 years of experience in app development.
• Expertise on land rights and governance – Masters in Social Sciences with 5+ years of experience in land governance, land rights, and land administration in Nepal and has a comprehensive understanding of land governance, land tenure practices, and administration sector.
• Expertise on legal frameworks and practices – Masters in Law, Development Studies or similar areas of studies with 5+ years of work experience in advocating for social, economic, cultural, and political rights and having comprehensive knowledge of legal system of Nepal in general and particularly in land and housing related laws.
• Expertise on Housing – Masters in Urban Planning and Housing Development with 5+ years of work experience on housing rights, urban planning, and informal settlement development in Nepal.
• Knowledge of land and natural resource management and planning, housing ecosystem, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the ability to provide technical guidance and support.  
• Proficient communication skills in English and Nepali, including excellent writing and presentation capabilities.  
• Strong content development, planning, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.  
• Able to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely with simplicity given that communities are a key stakeholder.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required for field engagements.  
• Prior experience in development of educational materials, fostering relationships with government bodies and partner organizations.  

6. Active Support of HFHI Values

1. Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves. 
2. Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. 
3. Accountability – We take personal responsibility for HFHI’s mission.  

7. Ethical Protocols  

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, HFHI is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve.

We require that all staff and representatives (consultants, contractors, vendors/suppliers, interns, volunteers, agents, and implementing partner organizations) take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding (Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment, and Abuse) our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work.

Abiding with the organization, the consultancy service has responsibilities to maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of HFHI’s code of conduct.

Throughout the assignment engagements, the consultants are expected to adhere to HFHI’s code of conduct including the safeguarding policy ensuring that all measures are taken to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of the individuals and communities involved.

The consultant/s should guarantee that the analysis is technically accurate and reliable and is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. All products resulting from this analysis will be owned by Habitat Nepal. The consultant will not be allowed, without prior authorization in writing, to present any of the results or use any product resulting from the analysis as his or her own or for private publication purposes.

8. Requirements: Interested Consultants are Requested to Submit

• A Technical Proposal detailing the interpretation of the TOR and work schedule. The technical proposal should at a minimum include the following information in your interpretation of the TOR: 
  • Detailed work plan and methodology.
  • Key deliverables.
  • A capability statement demonstrating how applicants meet the required qualifications and competencies, along with one sample from previous work similar to this assignment.
  • Two reference details from former clients.
• A copy of organization/institution registration certificate.
• A copy of the latest tax clearance certificate.
• PAN/VAT registration document and the number.
• Copies of Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the key team members (as an annex).
• A Financial Proposal detailing the proposed costs including all applicable taxes.
• The entire proposal should be a maximum of seven (7) pages including the financial proposal. Proposals not meeting this requirement will not be considered.
• Confidentiality of Information: All documents and data collected will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate analysis.

Below is a draft financial proposal template that can be used. If you feel some headings are missing, you can add accordingly, such as workshop expenses.

Kindly include all logistical costs required to conduct the consultancy including costs for coordination, workshop, etc.

Note: The financial proposal should include all applicable taxes.

9. Copyright

Copyright for the documents will remain with Habitat Nepal national office and includes the right to distribute the material or parts of it to the Local Government and other partners in Nepal and abroad. 

10. Instructions to Submit the Proposal

Interested reputed and qualified organizations/firms/individual consultants should submit their technical and financial proposal including testimonials/certificates at procurement@habitatnepal.org or hardcopy in a sealed/closed envelope with subject “Land Literacy Application Development” at Habitat for Humanity Nepal, House No. 126, New Colony Marg, Dhobighat, Lalitpur, Nepal.

For any queries contact the following email address info@habitatnepal.org 

Application deadline: Wednesday, 25 September 2024