Terms of Reference (TOR)
General Scope of Work for consultant for the assessment of TAL Strategic Plan and
Implementation Plan
Background
The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Program is the first landscape level program of Nepal and India.
The TAL concept originated at December 1999 regional biodiversity workshop, which recommended a landscape level conservation approach to conserve biodiversity — the new paradigm proposed by conservationists - in the Terai region of both countries to benefit wildlife and people. TAL Nepal is the first initiative of Government of Nepal under landscape level conservation approach. The vision of the TAL Nepal is to create “a globally unique landscape where biodiversity is conserved, ecological integrity is safeguarded, and sustainable livelihoods of its people are secured”. TAL Nepal is the largest landscape level conservation initiative in the conservation history of Nepal. TAL is a vast landscape covering an area of 49,500 sq km that extends from Bagmati River of Nepal in the east to Yamuna River of India with an area of 23,199 sq km covering part or whole of 14 Terai districts in Nepal.
TAL Nepal is a very important and critical landscape pertaining to its biological as well as socioeconomic and demographic significance. In order to address these complex issues with a joint effort with various partners working in the landscape, Government of Nepal has approved a TAL
Nepal Strategic Implementation Plan, 2004-2014 (IP) in February, 2004.
Objective
The objectives of this assignment is to review the implementation status of the TAL Nepal strategy and implementation plan and design the new strategy in the changing context of the country. More specifically it will;
 Assess and evaluate implementation status of TAL Nepal Strategy and IP 2004-2014,
 Identify gaps and emerging challenges,
 Develop TAL Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025.
In addition, the consultant/service provider is expected to support and facilitate the core team formulated by Government of Nepal for developing TAL Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025.
Scope of the assessment a.
explore the level of progress/changes made by the program and analyze the extent to which the achievements have supported the program goals and their objectives, b.
evaluate the program effectiveness and impacts c.
assess the scope and extent of the institutional mechanism including coordination and resource flow modality to the partners and community. d.
explore the value for money for the activities e.
examine the financial regularities\disciplines in accordance with the prevailing Rules and Regulations, f.
assess the Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) and PHPA,

g.
identify the best practices for further replication and scale up
In addition that the consultant/Service provider should focus on strategic planning, resource management, institutional mechanism, innovativeness and lesson learnt.
 Review literatures related to TAL strategy and implementation plan.
 Review of baseline reports, annual reports, progress reports, evaluation reports and monitoring reports.
 Key informants consultations, focus group discussions, stakeholders consultations supported by field observations
 Orientation sessions with core team other concern stakeholders on ToR and expected outcomes prior to the submission of inception report. The consultant(s) should revise and fine-tune methodology proposed in the proposal based on the orientation session.
 Expert consultation and national level workshops to collect the feedbacks from the different individuals and institutions.
 Use spatial and non-spatial techniques and geo-spatial analysis with supported with maps.
 Debriefing through presentation and discussion on field work and initial result with key partners at the central level to get feedback and comments
Deliverables
 An inception report with a clear conceptual framework and methodology including a work plan to undertake the study
 Mid-term report with preliminary draft and table of contents
 Final report after addressing comments and suggestions from stakeholders
 All deliverables shall consist of two (2) sets of paper copies, accompanied by 2 sets of soft copy deliverable on CD together with all data, documents and photographs. These shall be delivered to MoFSC, LSU.
Study Period
The total study period will be of 6 months from the date of signing of the agreement. The effective date will be 45 days spread-over 6 months period.
Team Composition
The study should be assigned to a reputed multidisciplinary and qualified team or consulting firm or organization with sound technical background, past experience in landscape level planning and sound tract record of quality output. The team composition is expecting to have following expertise:-
Team Leader will be responsible to carry out the assignment. S/he must have an overall leadership and at least 10 years in-depth expertise on policy, programme and clear understanding of landscape level biodiversity conservation. S/he should have at least Masters

Degree in Natural resource management or related field. The team composition should at least be include the following expertise:
1.
Landscape Planning and Conservation Expert: Preferably PhD and 15 year experience
(Team Leader)
2.
Forest and Biodiversity Expert: Master in Forestry or Environmental Science and 10 year experience
3.
Socioeconomic Expert: Master in Social Science and 10 year experience
Documents Requirement from the consultant/Service provider
The following documents are required along with the technical and financial proposal separately in two separate sealed envelopes:
 Firm/Organization track record (profile)
 VAT registration certificate
 Renewed registration/Tax clearance certificate
 Signed and dated Curriculum Vitae of proposed study team
 Technical and Financial proposal (separate)
Contact address:
Landscape Support Unit
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation
Singhadurbar
Kathmandu
Nepal
Phone: 01-4211936