1. Background

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Working in partnership with regional and international organisations, ICIMOD aims to build a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient HKH. ICIMOD provides a regional platform for researchers, practitioners, policy makers and other stakeholders from the region and around the globe to build and share knowledge that influences regional policy, drives action, and attracts investment that enables the diverse countries and communities of the HKH to transition to greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient development. ICIMOD has four long term impact areas (LTIAs) – transboundary risk reduction and adaptation, biodiversity and environment health, air quality, and green mountain economies. To contribute to these LTIAs, ICIMOD will be focusing on three strategic areas – Reducing Climate and Environmental Risks, Shaping Green and Resilient Mountain Economies, and Enabling Regional and Global Mechanism for Sustainable Actions – from 2023 to 2026 under our Medium-Term Action Plan V.

Strategic Group (SG) 2: Shaping green and resilient mountain economies (hereafter referred as SG 2) addresses the challenge of limited viable livelihood options in the mountains that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and climate change. SG2 focuses on delivering environmentally sustainable, but economically viable and socially inclusive solutions for some of the world’s most marginalised and vulnerable people. With a focus at both local and landscape levels, it will build understanding of the implications of rapid socio-economic, climate and environmental changes on mountain biodiversity, livelihoods and economies that are challenged by remote, fragile, and hazard-prone settings of mountain landscapes. Action Area C “Adapting and transforming livelihoods and economies” and Action Area D “Restoring and regenerating landscapes” fall under SG2.

Under Action Area C, the Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) Field of Action (FA) 2 project focuses on building the resilience of agroecosystems through action research and the production of knowledge to foster climate-resilient food production and enhance digital access for farmers (to agro-advisories, weather forecasting, and market information services) in selected demonstration sites. The approaches and innovative solutions developed will be scaled up by sharing the knowledge and lessons learned and engaging with policymakers and line agencies at the provincial and national levels.

ICIMOD is collaborating with the Local Initiative for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) and the Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) as the implementing partners. For collaborative action research, ICIMOD has partnered with Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) and Far Western University (FWU).

2. About the consultancy

We are seeking consultancy services to conduct action research on climate-resilient agriculture in selected municipalities of Karnali and/or Sudurpashchim provinces in Nepal. The consultant will work with partners to conduct research on the following proposal topics:

• Topic 1: Validation and dissemination of weather-based forecasting models to manage tomato late blight.
• Topic 2: Assessing the contribution of geospatial technology in enhancing crop productivity, estimate crop damage and yield, climate change adaptation, and mitigation
• Topic 3: Manure management practices and GHGs Flux from livestock

3. Objectives of the research consultant

Topic 1: Validation and dissemination of weather-based forecasting models to manage tomato late blight.

• Develop, test, and verify weather-based forecasting systems to predict late blight
• Test efficacy of early warning system in management of potato and tomato late blight
• Make availability of web- and mobile-based early warning systems for tomato and potato late blight management for extension workers and researcher in Nepal

Topic 2: Assessing the contribution of geospatial technology in enhancing crop productivity, estimate crop damage and yield, climate change adaptation, and mitigation

• Generate and document geospatial data and information platform for the climate-resilient agriculture planning and decision support
• Prepare territorial GIS maps to assess donor’s presence and investment
• Develop maps of spatial areas potential for high value crops

Topic 3: Manure management practices and GHGs flux from livestock

• Identify fodder composition and manure practices and to prepare baseline emission database at the beginning
• Introduce climate-resilient agricultural solutions in the manure and livestock sector

4. Scope of the work

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review and develop a research protocol outlining the research design, methodology, data collection and analysis methods, and ethical considerations
• Design and implement field surveys to access information of relevant parameters
• Analyse the data collected during the field surveys and experiments using appropriate statistical methods
• Develop a comprehensive report that summarises the research findings and provides recommendations. The consultant should also prepare a summary of the report suitable for non-scientific audiences.
• Deliver knowledge products of the research findings to scientific and non-scientific audience and stakeholders

5. GRAPE FA 2 project areas

6. Budget and terms of payment

The proposal and budget will be evaluated through a competitive process. The total cost proposal should be submitted in a separate cost proposal sheet (see Annex 1) including VAT and all other applicable taxes. The payment can be made on various instalments based on the submission of the deliverables and their acceptance by ICIMOD as per the cost proposal.

7. Duration of the contract

8. Work plan and deliverables

9. Coordination and reporting

The primary reporting focal person will be the Project Coordinator of GRAPE FA 2. The other technical persons for this study are the Action Area C Coordinator, CRA Analyst, and Research Associates.

10. Minimum qualifications and requirements

This assignment is open to research institutions and universities in Nepal. We are looking for a team of researchers with the following experiences, academic qualifications, and competencies:

• At least a master’s degree in a relevant subject. A PhD is preferred. Applicants should have practical experience in conducting research within the context of development projects.
• Knowledge of and experience in interpreting and using qualitative and/or quantitative research to develop evidence-based strategies
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• Proven record of experience in conducting similar assignments

11. Documents for submission and deadline

Interested academic institutions can apply by submitting the following:

• A technical proposal including:
  • Description of how skills and experience match the ToR requirements
  • Proposed methodology and work plan
• A financial proposal that includes a detailed budget sheet with breakdowns (see Annex 1)
• CV of resource person(s)
• VAT / PAN registration certificate along with a tax clearance letter
• Latest audit report (in case of institutions)

Please email the complete application materials, including the formal, signed and stamped documents, to consultancy.int@icimod.org. The deadline for submission is 25 August 2023.

12. Proposal review/scoring criteria

The total score is 100 points, which includes 60 points on technical expertise, organisational profile, understanding of the assignment, study design and methodology, and 40 points on the proposal cost.

In the case of multiple submission of the proposal by the consultant in different topics, each proposal will be reviewed separately. The award will be given to the successful and competitive proposal in each topic.

Ethical consideration

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

Our commitment to the prevention of sexual harassment

ICIMOD is committed to prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace 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.

Confidentiality/non-disclosure

All material issued in connection with this ToR shall remain the property of ICIMOD and shall be used only for the purpose of this procurement exercise. All information provided shall be either returned to ICIMOD 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 during this agreement relating to partner organisation/ICIMOD, the respondents or otherwise.

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

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 ICIMOD 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 ICIMOD without restriction on completion and shall not be used by the consultant for any other purpose without express written permission of ICIMOD.

Copyright of all arising documents, data, information, or reports produced by the consultant under this agreement shall belong to ICIMOD and will be passed to ICIMOD 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 ICIMOD’s Head of Programme Funding.

Annex 1: Budget plan

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