Term of Reference (ToR)

for the Analysis of the Gender Gap and Social Norms Concerning Food and Nutrition in Kapilvastu District

RURAL RECONSTRUCTION NEPAL (RRN)

RRN is a Nepali non-government, not for profit, human rights and social development organisation. By subscribing to the basic principles of the International Rural Reconstruction Movement, it has officially registered in 1993 as RRN. It substantially contributes to rural people’s empowerment and socio-economic reconstruction process by embracing the rights- based approach to development. RRN also extensively engages in pro-poor policy advocacy, lobbying, and social campaigns at local, national, and international levels to protect and promote human rights and social justice

1.      PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Project titled “Empowered Citizens are Promoting Food and Nutrition Governance in Three Municipalities in Kapilvastu District” is funded by BMZ/ Welthungerhilfe and is being implemented jointly by Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) and Kapilvastu Integrated Development Services (KIDS) in Kapilvastu, Maharajgunj and Buddhabhumi municipalities of Kapilvastu district, Lumbini province, Nepal. The project envisions supporting marginalized communities in effectively claiming their rights to economic inclusion and access to sufficient food. Empowering women is one of the goals of the project as it often contributes directly to improving the nutritional situation of household members, as they use available resources more rationally and for the benefit of all family members.

2.      PROJECT’S OBJECTIVE

Civil society organizations and members of marginalized groups in the three target communities are working closely with the relevant authorities at the local and provincial levels, using effective strategies to claim their right to food

3.      PROJECT’S OUTPUT

1. Local governments in the 3 target municipalities are empowered to implement effective food security and livelihood strategies.
2. Civil society organizations in the three target communities are empowered to effectively advocate for the right to food at the local and provincial levels.
3. Women’s capacities to improve their income and nutritional situation are strengthened and their participation in decision-making processes is improved.

1.      OBJECTIVES OF THE TASK

Women’s empowerment, closing the gender gaps or inequality, and changing the social norms in agriculture and food systems are essential to eradicate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. The analysis will focus on examining the gender gap and social norms regarding food and nutrition in the project’s target areas. It will identify gender norms, attitudes, and beliefs that drive gender inequality and other vulnerabilities concerning food and nutrition security. Understanding food production, food consumption patterns, dietary diversity, calorie intake, inter-household food distribution, food beliefs, food practices of pregnant, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescent girls, are the major analysis part of this analysis.

The analysis will deeply study the patriarchal norms, taboos, and stereotypes related to food and nutrition as the underlying factors have a significant impact on women’s access to nutrition services, nutritious food, and their nutritional status which need to be addressed in this project. Whereas, the findings and the recommendations from the analysis will be considered in the activities and advocacy work for the project which will ensure overcoming nutrition insecurity, strengthen participation at the household and community level, and engage in advocacy for women’s rights. Similarly, at the family level, intervention will involve educating families about the importance of equal access to nutrition for all members, regardless of gender.

• Analyze the access to nutrition services, nutritious food and their nutritional status from a gender lens.
• Analyze pre-existing and current power dynamics and gender roles including access to and control of resources like land, production of crops, livestock, etc.
• Analyze the gender relations to food systems
• Analyze the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act from a gender lens
• Identify gender norms, attitudes, and beliefs that drive gender inequality and other vulnerabilities concerning food and nutrition security
• Identify participation and decision-making status and opportunities of the most vulnerable, especially women, girls, and people with disability at the household and community level

2.      SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT

The scope of the assignment is to assess the gender gap and social norms related to food and nutrition in the project-targeted areas and develop a report. The consultants/firm is expected to collect the essential data using the structured questionnaire developed by the consultant and approved by the RRN/KIDS/ WHH, analyze and prepare a comprehensive analysis report. The analysis is being carried out in three municipalities of 15 selected wards of Kapilvastu district but may not limit the target area only.

3.     METHODOLOGY

The consultant will develop a comprehensive study methodology in consideration of the information outlined in the ToRs that will be reviewed by the project team during the inception phase. An appropriate sampling methodology will be used to determine the sampling frame, sample size, and respondents. The analysis will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and review of secondary information. Primary data collection methods will be the primary approach through the mobilization of qualified enumerators. AKVO FLOW or CommCare application tool will be used for collecting, evaluating, and displaying geographically referenced data. The survey will be carried out in all project areas and communities.

A total of 15 wards of 3 municipalities of Kapilvasu districts are the target areas for this project. The project targets to 5,241 individuals out of which 75 % (3,957) are women and adolescent girls who will be directly involved in the interventions. The project will facilitate the forming of 195 groups with about 25 members each (45 LANN+ groups, 45 adolescent/youth groups, and 105 farmer groups) and support nutrition advocacy and CSO empowerment. 3,788 women will be chosen for specific activities in nutrition, agriculture, and livelihood options based on their low socio-economic status and vulnerabilities. Additionally, the project will include 150 Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) involved in health services, as well as 30 religious and/or community leaders, who will participate in specific activities outlined in the project.

4.      KEY DELIVERABLES

1. An inception report outlining the methodology, sample size, tools, and a detailed
2. Debriefing meeting with implementation organization with initial findings
3. Clean the dataset in a
4. Final analysis report in the prescribed format. The Consultant should submit the analysis report to RRN as the final delivery of the assignment. The project team will review the draft report and the consultant should incorporate the inputs in the draft report. The assignment will only be closed once the report is formally accepted by the RRN/Welthungerhilfe Nepal.

5. Two-pager summary report of the analysis including

5.      TIMEFRAME/SCHEDULE

The analysis is expected to be accomplished with final report submission by the end of December 2025. The assignment will be effective in action from the day of signing of the contract. The assignment should not exceed more than 60 working days (including preparatory work, field visits, and report preparation).

6.      CONFIDENTIALITY

All documents and data acquired from documents as well as during HH survey interviews and meetings are confidential and to be used solely for the analysis. The quantitative data should be confidentially kept by the consultant adhering to WHH data protection policy. The deliverables as well as all material linked to this analysis (produced by the consultant or the organization itself) are confidential and remain at all times property of the contracting party.

7.      BUDGET

The financial proposal has to indicate all-inclusive costs for conducting the analysis. The project team will negotiate to finalize the budget with the consulting firm. The organization will provide funds on an instalment basis. 30% of the agreed budget will be paid after signing the agreement and upon approval of the inception report and tools. The next 30% of the budget will be provided upon submission of the first draft and the remaining 40 % amount will be paid upon submission and approval of the final study report.

8.      SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT

Interested consulting firms should submit the following sealed documents while sending their expression of interest (EoI).

1. Letter of expression of interest (EoI)
2. Technical and Financial proposal
3. Firms’ Profile detailing the past assignments (at least two analysis/survey report as a sample copy prepared by the proposed team leader/firm)
4. CVs of team leader/ expert and research analyst highlighting their areas of work and experience (priority to female-led with the background of gender studies, health, and food and nutrition)
5. Company documents (copies of firm registration certificate, VAT registration certificate, Latest tax clearance certificate, Tax Exempted by the government, a copy of tax exemption certificate)

9.      SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

13.  COPYRIGHT

Copyright for the documents will remain with RRN including the right to distribute the material or parts of it to WHH Nepal partners in Nepal and abroad.

14.  DEADLINE

The interested and qualified consulting firm must submit sealed bid proposal as per TOR to the RRN central office, Gairidhara, Kathmandu on or before 5.00 pm local time on 2082/05/23 (September 8, 2025). Documents received after this deadline shall not be accepted. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for the further evaluation process. RRN reserves all the rights to reject any or all applications without providing any reasons.