Terms of Reference Policy Review and Advocacy Plan

Terms of Reference

Policy Review and Advocacy Plan

1. Background

Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) is currently undertaking ‘Youth for Climate Action (YCA)’ project, in Nepal with partners British Council, to offer Nepalese youth an opportunity to engage in community level climate action (raising awareness, mitigation and adaptation) to develop their knowledge, skills, and networks to offer better, more impactful, and sustainable solutions to pressing social, economic, and environmental climate related issues through engagement of local communities. The project is providing support to bridge the gap of involvement of young women and men in policy advocacy and climate action, by building their capacity as well as providing them platforms and networks. The project will provide skills and capability to young people, provide connections to young changemakers to enable them to take actions, and provide them voice and skills to deliver outcomes in their communities.

The project is designed to provide a platform for evidence-based policy engagement for youth in provinces of Bagmati, Lumbini, Koshi (with limited reach in Gandaki and Sudurpaschim).  For this to happen, a through policy mapping and review of climate change and environmental legislation at federal, provincial and local governments is required.

2. Objectives

• Mapping of climate change and environmental protection policy at federal and provincial level.
• Identify entry points (for youth) for policy engagement at provincial and local level
• Identify gaps in policy provisions for climate change mitigation and adaptation at federal level.

3. Scope of work

The consultant will work under the technical supervision of program manager of AYON in addition to The British Council, Head of Education and Skills in Nepal.

It is important to note that the policy review will not be a comprehensive study of climate related policies across the federal levels, but a study of how policy instruments are framed in the federal levels of Nepal with regards to youth participation in climate actions. Provision for youth participation, and possible reforms in provision to improve youth participation are to be identified through the policy review. At a minimum, the policy review will have to include

1. Environmental Protection Act 2019
2. Environmental Protection Rule 2020
3. National Climate Change Policy 2019
4. National Youth Policy 2015
5. Local Government Operation Act 2017
6. Nepal’s commitments and plans against climate change

It is essential that the selected consultant work in tandem with the project’s other complementary initiatives. AYON will be creating a ‘Policy Advisory Group’ (PAG). The group will be comprised of policy makers from federal and provincial level who are advocating for youth’s opportunity for climate action to exert moral pressure for reforms to improve youth engagement and participation in climate action. The consultant will be required to work in close coordination with advisory group and highlight policy gaps, actionable agendas, and entry points from one meeting with the advisory group. This will result in a charter of the Policy Advisory Group which the consultant will support through the meeting.

The results will support training and social action project AYON will roll out in later months. This is to be facilitated by creation of advocacy plans based on the recommendations from the policy.

Hence, under this role, the consultant will be tasked for the following

• Develop a final policy review paper contextualizing Nepali legislatives instruments (minimum list of policies provided above) with academic and non-academic literature in areas of youth leadership and climate change in Nepal.
• Define platform for dialogues and discussions involving key stakeholders from across federal tiers of government and ministries such as the Ministry of Social Development and Environment, Ministry of Education, etc. where youth can engage with policymakers, government officials, and other stakeholders to advocate for climate-related policy changes. This will be defined by an advocacy plan devised on the basis of the policy review.
• Attend Policy Advisory Group meeting, take notes, and include actionable agendas from the meeting into the final policy review paper and advocacy plan.
• Lead 1st meeting for the formation of Policy Advisory Group to present the findings of the policy review. In addition, the consultant will support formation of a charter of the Policy Advisory Group.
• Carry out periodic coordinating with and the British Council while conducting the policy review.
• Submission of final document with policy review and advocacy plan as stated above and present the findings of the policy review and results of the advocacy plan during a policy dialogue to facilitate informed discussions.

4. Requirements and qualifications/ Profile

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring all deliverables are provided timely and according to the standards set in this Terms of Reference (ToR). The party will maintain communication with AYON and will be solely responsible for fulfilling all the tasks as specified in the ToR. The expected qualifications and competencies required from the party are:

a) Minimum Master’s Degree in Law, governance, social science or climate change related discipline

b) Demonstrated experience in developing/producing review of legislation in areas of youth leadership, climate change advocacy, social accountability and activism in Nepal.

5. Deliverables

a) A detailed policy review paper with an advocacy plan (in English) with components outlined in this TOR that meet standards approved by AYON upon final submission.

6. Role of AYON

a) Lead complementary events and ensure participation of stakeholders (including the consultant with respect given to his/her availability)

b) Coordination between the consultant and the British Council through arrangements of periodic meeting.

c) Set standards of the deliverables and provide regular constructive feedback while drafting the contents.

d) Ensure financial compliance and fulfilment of obligations.

7. Assignment Timeline

8. Payment Terms and Conditions

The full payment amount 10-day consulting service will be provided within 7 days of submission of final approved Policy Review and Advocacy Plan in addition to the following requirements

• Submission of the Final document with approval of AYONs program manager.
• Attendance in policy advisory group meeting
• Submission of work timesheet totaling 70 hours

9. Required Documents and Application Procedure

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents at apply@ayon.org  by 12/10/2023.

For Individuals

1. Proposal and cost plan
2. Cover Letter
3. 1 Sample of work under similar scope
4. Updated CV
5. PAN Number and Copy of Citizenship