**Introduction **

YUWA commissions research on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Nepal. The findings from the research aims to provide insights on the CSE program implementation in Nepal and recommend a strategic direction in programming of Theory of Change.

YUWA is looking for qualified researchers or consultants (individuals, universities, or organizations to undertake this operational research. This ToR/RFP entails the scope of this assignment. For any inquiries or submission of your expression of interest, please contact us at [email protected] before August 14, 2023. Please refer to the list of documents that will be required for the submission.

Background

Nepal has identified adolescents and youth as a vulnerable and under-served population group requiring specific services and information to address their concerns, problems, and needs. Thus, Nepal has shown commitment towards adolescents and young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights by endorsing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, Program of Action (PoA), Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) in 1995, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015.

Nepal has included some components of CSE in the school curricula. According to the UNESCO definition ( International technical guidance on sexuality education (ITGSE) , unaids.org ), comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning, in both formal and informal settings, about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them to: realize their health, well-being, and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives. However, the content in the curricula does not cover all the components of CSE and its implementation or delivery of CSE has been challenging. Besides, no CSE programs have been initiated for other vulnerable groups like out-of-school children and young people with disabilities.

The Strategic Partnership Right Here, Right Now 2 addresses the limited respect, protection and the hindered fulfilment of the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people in 10 countries in Africa and Asia.

The RHRN platform in Nepal consists of six diverse youth-led and youth-serving civil society organizations, including the country lead, YUWA. The coalition is focused on improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of young people in Nepal. RHRN2 Nepal coalition partners include Blue Diamond Society, Beyond Beijing Committee Nepal, Blind Youth Association Nepal, CDS- PARK, Youth Alliance for Development and YUWA.

Established in 2009, YUWA is a not for profit, youth run, and youth led organization working to promote youth participation through empowerment and advocacy.

The research outcomes will be linked to the RHRN2 Theory of Change, and its long term outcomes: empowered young people make decisions about their sexuality, voice their needs and claim their rights (Long Term Outcome (LTO) 1); a critical mass reinforces positive norms and values regarding young people's SRHR and gender justice (LTO2); governments adopt, implement and account for human rightsbased policies and laws that enable young people's SRHR and gender justice (LTO3); and strengthened civil society for young people's SRHR and gender justice (LTO4). These outcomes will have an impact on RHRN2's goal that young people in all their diversity enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights in gender-just societies.

Objective

The Nepal RHRN Coalition aims to strengthen the sustainable and structural access of young people to quality comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in Nepal. Different stakeholders along with YUWA have been advocating for integrating CSE in school curricula, its implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

However, there are challenges related to a complete integration of CSE components in in-school and outof-school curricula and its delivery and effectiveness. We consider impact at scale to mean for the program to be anchored in sustainable government policies and budgets and to reach all or the majority of youth within a given geographic area or governmental jurisdiction – such as a country, state, province or city – with a minimum reach of 20.000 youth. To address these challenges and ensure sustainable CSE programs, we need to learn how we could best address these challenges and identify practical activities and pathways to the scale-up of high quality CSE.

Scope

The content of the report will provide an in-depth account of the main relevant elements and activities to pursue by the RHRN Nepal Coalition to contribute to making cost-effective CSE available to all youth in Nepal. We recommend using the structure of the WHO Expandnet guidance:

1. Environment: What are the different environmental factors and stakeholders that are influencing or are likely to influence our ability to make CSE available to all young people in Nepal?
2. Innovation: What does the ultimate CSE delivery model look like in Nepal – that is a trade-off between comprehensiveness, cost-efficiency, acceptability, and scalability?
3. User organization: What needs to be done to engage, motivate, capacitate, and support the responsible organizations to make CSE available to all young persons in Nepal?
4. Resource team: What capacities are available and which capacities might require strengthening amongst the RHNR2 Coalition that would support the sustainable expansion of CSE?
5. Pathways and activities: How can the government, CSOs and other actors work together to scaleup the recommended CSE modality and approach?

These main categories are further detailed with guiding questions in ANNEX 1. Together this should result in high-level pathways to make CSE available to all youth in Nepal as well as recommendations for concrete activities for YUWA and the RHRN2 Nepal Coalition during the next 2 years. The questions in ANNEX 1 are provided as input and inspiration for the Consultant. More or different relevant questions and areas of importance are expected to emerge during the first research and data gathering phases of this assignment and presented as part of the inception report. You may access ANNEX 1 after the selection for this assignment.

Suggested Methodology

The consultant is expected to carry out desk reviews and interviews. The following methods are to be followed:

1. Desk Research – study of relevant policy documents, modules, materials, best practices, study reports etc. from Nepal and global knowledge arena.
2. Key Informant Interviews and/or focus groups – with RHRN2 coalition members, other CSOs, government officials, UN bodies, teacher training institutes, academia, teachers and media. In total some 25 key Informant Interviews/sessoins are anticipated. Each interview/session is to be recorded and concise interview notes are to be shared with the contractor.

Deliverables

1. An inception report with the results of the desk research, including an overview of documents consulted; a first draft of the final report structure; new relevant questions that need answering (reflecting on the ANNEX of this TOR); and a list of planned information gathering and validation activities with the Nepal RHRN Coalition.
2. A final report including a 2-page executive summary with practical suggestions for integrated steps for the RHRN Nepal Coalition within the ToC framework of RHRN2.
3. A slide deck with main insights, report highlights and recommendations.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Consultant will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and production of the deliverables, contacting national and local partners and informants, contracting support, if required, and carry out the necessary interviews and/or focus group discussions, undertaking site visits, if required and possible. The Consultant will be responsible for sharing work in progress with YUWA and will set up regular meetings to discuss progress.

YUWA will provide contact information of partners and contacts in its network where relevant. YUWA will supervise the work in progress, to ensure that it is in line with expectations. YUWA will review interim drafts of the deliverables and will provide feedback and comments up to its final approval.

Applicant requirements

• Advanced university degree in social science, health, education, development, or other relevant field with more than five years of experience in research.
• Experience in or knowledge of scaling trajectories that anchor social, health and education programs in government policies and budgets.
• Technical knowledge of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights field
• Previous experience/track record in doing research, data gathering and the development of case studies and reports.
• Language skills: Nepalese and English
• Ability to travel for in person interviews or other data gathering.
• Travel insurance (at own expense)
• Police clearance or national equivalent prior to travel
• Availability to start by mid-August.

Process and timeline

• The total time for this assignment is expected to be three months from the date of contract signing and requires 30-35 working days.

How to respond

Interested consultant firms (individual/team) must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications at [email protected] by August 14, 2023.

• Letter of Interest (Cover Letter)
• Detailed Technical and Financial Proposal with the CV of Team Leader and team (if applicable)
• VAT registration certificate
• Latest Tax clearance certificate – FY 2079-80
• Company Profile and Company registration certificate
• Sample work or reports

Please clearly indicate the subject line of the email as application for Consultancy Assignment for CSE Research.

Qualified women candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the selection process.