Terms of Reference (ToR) for iDE's Empowering and Innovative Designing for Protecting Nutrient-Dense Food: Rural Market Development

Terms of Reference (ToR) for 

iDE's Empowering and Innovative Designing for Protecting Nutrient-Dense Food: Rural Market Development

iDE is a global organization that advances market-based approaches in agriculture, finance and WASH to create income and livelihood opportunities for low-income rural households.

iDE has worked in Nepal since 1992. From irrigation and good-quality seeds to integrated pest management and rural collection centers where farmers can sell their produce, we provide simple innovations that help rural communities get out of poverty and adapt to climate change.iDE believes that for entrepreneurs in low-income countries to succeed, they must participate in market ecosystems that are economically competitive, inclusive of all people, and resilient to shocks such as conflict or changing climates. By listening to all stakeholders - producers, suppliers, retailers, and customers - we can overcome critical bottlenecks and develop lasting solutions.

iDE Nepal invites interested consulting firms or VAT-registered individuals to submit proposals for a consulting assignment.

1. Objectives of the Study

This baseline survey is necessary to establish baseline data for each of the project indicators of FSNIL and PRERNA projects. These baseline data will be the guiding pillars to measure end-of-the-project impacts, outcomes, and outputs. The baseline survey will also help devise appropriate monitoring tools for project interventions. Furthermore, the baseline survey will generate and develop an information base consisting of detailed relevant information about the general and targeted people of the project’s working areas. This information will guide us to plan effectively and coherently for systematically materializing the project goal.

The primary objective of the baseline study is to prepare pre-project / baseline information to establish a comprehensive benchmark for evaluating the current status of the supply chain of nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits in rural Nepal markets—beneficiaries/geographic areas as per the log-frame indicators of the project.

The specific objectives of the baseline study are the following:

• Assess the current market conditions, including economic feasibility and supply chain dynamics.
• Identify existing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their capacity for technology adoption.
• Evaluate the potential for private sector engagement and joint-venture partnerships.
• Understand consumer behavior and market demand for nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits.
• Understand the socio-economic status of the household in the target area
• Evaluate the adoption and availability of the project-promoted technologies in the target area
• To assess the status and  effectiveness of community business facilitators (CBF),
• Assess the current market situation and status of the project technologies 
• Collect baseline data to support the design and implementation of strategic partnerships, capacity development activities, and innovation funds.
• Assess the resilience of the market systems in the project areas by employing established tools and methodologies to gather reliable, actionable insights (only data collection is needed. Survey tools will be provided by iDE Nepal).
• Provide a foundation for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the project’s interventions over time.

The study will utilize a wide range of appropriate tools and methodologies to measure the status of social, economic/financial, physical, natural, and human assets of targeted communities/households (HHs), market actors, and market system components within the framework of FSNIL and PRERNA projects and as spelled out in the project document. The study findings will be primarily used by iDE and its implementing partners in comparing the pre and post-project status of the market systems and communities with whom it works. The baseline information will also be used by the relevant project stakeholders and donors.

2. Study Area

The study will be conducted in the following districts: Kaski, Syangja and Myagdi districts

3. Scope of Work

The assessment will be conducted in the districts of Myagdi, Kaski, and Syangja and will involve:

• Desk Review: Initial review of existing data and reports relevant to the project targets.Data
• Collection: Gathering primary data through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders including producers, processors, traders, and consumers, households of the targeted area.
• Data Analysis: Analyzing data to identify baseline values of the project indicators through appropriate statistical calculations.
• Reporting: Compiling and presenting findings in a comprehensive report, including recommendations for strengthening the supply chain and opportunities for technology commercialization.

4. Consultant Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant should work closely with the M&E Unit and Project Team. In each step and process, consultation with the M&E Lead is vital. The consultant team will be primarily responsible to: 

• Develop/design a study including a questionnaire for the baseline survey and checklist and tools for group interaction, including FGD with target key stakeholders (households/farmers, agro-vets, collection centers, technical experts, etc)   at district/municipality/rural municipality levels.
• Share the study design including process, methods, and questionnaires/checklist with the project team and partners, collect feedback, and finalize the study design, including programming required for mobile data collection.
• Orient the data collection team to the survey design and methodology, including questionnaire pre-testing.
• Collect data both baseline data and Market System Resilience Index (MSRI) data as stipulated in Annex 1 
• Clean and analyze data except for the MSRI data.
• Triangulate and analyze questionnaire survey, FGD, and KII results.
• Write reports (two separate reports for FSNIL and PRERNA projects) and submit draft reports structured as a formal research paper. The structure should include basic sections appropriate to a mixed-methods paper such as Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions.
• Edit the draft reports based on feedback and submit the final reports.

The study will be based on data and information gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Secondary sources would comprise relevant project documents and district-wise databases. Primary data will be collected from sampled beneficiaries, market actors, and other stakeholders in each of the project districts. 

The detailed methodology and fieldwork schedule will be worked out in consultation with iDE M & E lead, partner organizations, and consultants.

5. Deliverables

The following deliverables are envisioned under this ToR:

• Inception Report covering the 
  • Methods and tools, Study design (sampling frame, selection and numbers of KII subjects, etc.)
  • KII and FGD checklists
  • Quantitative survey instrument
  • Data sets and setup files
  • Transcript of KII and FGD surveys
• Final Report and presentation:
  • Inception Report: Detailed plan outlining the approach, methodology, and timeline.
  • Draft Reports: Initial findings and analysis for review.
  • Final Reports: Comprehensive report with detailed findings, analysis, and recommendations.
  • Presentation: Summary presentation of key findings and recommendations.

6. Eligibility Criteria

The consultancy should have experience in qualitative and quantitative research; a clear understanding of research methodology and experience in using different social research tools and techniques. Work experiences in rural and urban areas of the county will be an added advantage. The team leader should have an advanced university degree in agriculture or rural development or social sciences with experiences of having conducted at least five numbers of baseline surveys, endline surveys, or evaluations preferably of agricultural income generation-related projects. 

7. Payment Schedule 

• 30% of the contracted amount will be released upon the submission of inception reporting including the following deliverables (Methods and tools, Study design {sampling frame, selection, and numbers of KII subjects, etc.} KII and FGD checklists, Quantitative survey instrument and mobile data collection setup)
• 70% of the contracted amount will be released upon submission of the Final data set, Presentation, and Final report.

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

All arising intellectual property, ideas, materials, processes, or processes formed in contemplation, course of, or as a result of this study shall be passed to iDE Nepal without restriction and shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose without express written permission of iDE Nepal.

Copyright of all arising documents, data, information, or reports produced by the Consultant under this agreement shall belong to iDE Nepal and will be passed to iDE Nepal 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 iDE Nepal.

9. Work Schedule

A detailed plan will be worked out jointly with consultants and the project team. However, the work is expected to commence by 1st December, 2024, for an estimated 30-day period, with the final report being submitted by 15 January,2025.

10. Application Procedure

Interested and eligible candidates are requested to complete the form in the link provided below https://forms.gle/W4pud1tKKTEeg91j8. The proposal must be submitted no later than COB 15 November 2024.

The following documents need to be submitted:

• A brief technical proposal including:
  • An understanding of TOR, proposed methodology to accomplish the deliverable with tentative work and timeline, 
  • Updated CV of the team members highlighting the relevant competency and professional experience as deemed by the TOR.
  • Firm profile outlining the relevant experience along with the clientele reference.
• Detailed financial proposal for the assignment. The financial proposal must include service fees as well as all other associated costs required for the completion of the assignment.  
• Legal Registration and renewal documents. Tax Clearance Certificate of FY 2079.80 is mandatory.

Note: Technical and financial proposals must be provided separately. Failure to provide the above documents or incomplete applications will not be considered.

11. Evaluation process

All applicants will be screened against the educational qualifications, experience, and competencies set above and the financial quote in the proposal. The contract will be awarded to the candidate evaluated and determined as technically competent to the requirements of the ToR and receiving the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score.

• Technical Criteria- 70% of total evaluation- max. 70 points:

• Financial Criteria- 30% of total evaluation- max. 30 points.

Links Related to the TOR:

1. Annex 1: Project Background
2. Annex 2: Theory of Change (ToC) of FSNIL Project
3. Annex 3: Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) of FSNIL Project
4. Annex 4: PRERNA Project ToC and log-frame