RESEARCH CONSULTANT for Scoping work for CCG Programme Activities in Nepal
FOR THIS ROLE YOU MUST BE BASED IN NEPAL – DEADLINE 15 AUGUST 2024
CCG, through the Centre for Global Equality, is looking to contract a research/policy expert based in Nepal, able to support the CCG programme in its strategic engagement there.
Assignment
Scope the institutional actors and policy frameworks relevant to planning policy development, particularly in relation to the energy and transport sectors, and produce a stakeholder map of key researchers, influencers, and decision makers.
Period of Contract
25 working days; full delivery by 30 October 2024
Background
The Centre for Global Equality (CGE) is an organisation based in Cambridge, UK, that evolves innovative approaches to solving global challenges relating to food, water, energy, health, work, and the environment. Key to CGE’s inclusive innovation approach is the building of productive interdisciplinary, inter-sectoral and international collaborations.
CGE is leading the Country Partnerships workstream in the Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The CCG Country Partnerships team is responsible for establishing strong engagement and well-supported collaborations between key stakeholders in partner countries and UK researchers.
Purpose of the Consultancy
At the heart of CCG’s strategy is effective influencing and impact. To achieve this, it is vital for the programme to establish a comprehensive understanding of the context within a partner country. This includes the political, economic, and social factors that shape the decision-making environment as well as how institutions emerge and operate. To meet the complex climate and sustainable development challenges, governments across the world are setting new targets, restructuring their institutions and revising their policies. It is therefore crucial for CCG to be equipped with up-to-date information on the institutions, policies and processes in a country.
This assignment includes scoping of the policy frameworks and planning strategies currently being pursued for low-carbon development in Nepal, identifying the key actors (both national and international) involved in the sponsoring, development, implementation, and revision of these frameworks and strategies; and identifying feasible areas of opportunity and knowledge gaps where research, stronger data provision, or scenario modelling capacity building (see CCG-supported modelling tools elsewhere on this website) may enhance progress towards climate compatible growth in Nepal.
The analysis must also identify:
(A) key emerging trends (focusing on political, economic, technological, environmental and investment issues) that can impact developments in the sectors CCG work in; and (b) significant shifts among state and non-state institutions and their bearing on policy outcomes and political processes (for example, what is the nature of the interests, incentives, ideas and the balance of power among relevant groups and individuals).
B) Institutional mapping and stakeholder analysis: Identify and map key institutions and stakeholders involved in low-carbon development in Nepal, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, research organisations, international partners, financial institutions, private sector entities, civil society groups, political parties and any other actor/group that influence, or is affected by climate compatible policies. Analyse their roles, mandates, capacities, and relationships, highlighting their influence on policy formulation and implementation. Assess stakeholders’ interests, incentives, power dynamics, and their potential to shape policy decisions. The stakeholder analysis should also include how informal actors, both organised or non-organised, shape policy adoption and enforcement.
C) Based on the analysis conducted, provide evidence-based recommendations including identifying barriers, gaps, and potential entry points for CCG to improve the programme’s engagement strategy in Nepal. These recommendations should be tailored to address the identified barriers and leverage the identified entry points at the research-policy interface where CCG expertise can help fill knowledge gaps and enhance collaboration between researchers and policy makers in Nepal.
D) If not addressed above, we want to ensure this study investigates the following questions: (i) Are climate goals integrated into national development plans? (ii) What drives government incentives to decarbonise? Is there a high-level political commitment to decarbonisation? (iii) Which are the most relevant agencies sponsoring the green energy agenda in the country? (iv) Are there strategies being employed to mobilise financial resources for climate projects, both domestically and through international channels? (v) Who are the key stakeholders, including marginalized and vulnerable groups, that need to be engaged in discussions and decision-making processes related to climate actions? (vi) What working groups or networks already exist around energy planning and financing? (vii) What are the primary economic drivers within the sectors expected to be most impacted by decarbonization efforts? (viii) Which IFIs have already granted technical grants and Policy-based loans? Are there other potential IFI that could be part of the process? Is the finance ministry the counterpart for IFI’s? (ix) What policies and incentives are in place to attract both public and private sector investments? (x) Do universities have the capacity to develop and deliver high-quality MSc programmes in fields such as modelling, engineering, and climate change policy and finance? Is there greater demand than supply for master’s courses in these areas?
Main tasks and activities
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
1. Review of existing literature and secondary data that might provide key insights in Nepal’s macroeconomic, institutional and political context relevant to understanding its climate-compatible growth strategies.
2. A desktop review of relevant legislation, policies, and projects currently being employed by the Nepal Government at the national and sub-national levels to guide low-emission development plans. The review should highlight whether these policies were successful.
3. A desktop review of the current initiatives run by domestic and international non-government organisations in Nepal within the context of low-emission development and whether these interventions have been successful to date.
4. Consult relevant stakeholders to verify and elaborate findings from (1) and (2) above and discern the connections between different actors within the policy development processes.
5. Consolidate the findings of the scoping into a pair of written reports that is accompanied by a stakeholder map.
6. A verbal presentation of the draft findings to the CCG consortium
Expected deliverables
1. A short inception report outlining the priority policy areas in Nepal for low-emission development with relevant supporting evidence and references also providing a brief summary of historical, political, social and economic context (~7 pages).
2. A stakeholder map of the key actors and institutions relevant to planning policy development within the energy and transport sectors in government, business, civil society, and academia. Ideal if the consultant can include excluded factions, e.g., opposition political parties. This will help CCG identify (i) plausible contending ideas and interests towards climate compatible development and (ii) how pressure from these groups shape government’s commitment to low-carbon policies.
3. A more detailed report that captures how CCG can productively develop activity that are aligned with research and policy interests in Nepal (~10 pages).
4. A comprehensive slide deck that summaries the key findings from this study.
Reporting relationship
The consultant will work directly with the CGE team. CGE will award the funding for the assignment, provide overall guidance, and will receive the final deliverables. The CGE team will work closely with CCG’s internal team to ensure progress of materials is meeting expectations.
Contractual arrangements
One consultant will be engaged for this assignment. A contract will be signed between CGE and the individual consultant. Prior to signing this contract, the successful candidate will be required to carry out due diligence.
Duration of the assignment
The assignment covers 25 payable working days. Contractual/professional fees will be made upon acceptance of all deliverables by 30 October 2024.
Note: an inception report (deliverable 1) will be expected by 30 September 2024.
Work arrangements
The consultant is expected to be able to carry out the assignment from their own office and must use their own equipment and resources to deliver the tasks set out. The consultant will be required to have online update meetings with the Country Partnerships and relevant research teams regularly.
Required qualification and experience:
The preferred candidate will hold a PhD, or a master’s degree plus five (5) years’ relevant work experience, in related subjects such as engineering, political sciences, social sciences, climate policy or a related field.
A strong background in the energy sector in Nepal. Be familiar with policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks in relevant sectors
Currently based in Nepal
A strong understanding of civil service policy, laws, systems, and structures in Nepal
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Experience in conducting institutional and governance and/or context and policy analysis
Strong knowledge of Nepal political, economic, and social dynamics, including the energy, transportation, financial and industry sectors
Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including analysis and stakeholder engagement
Familiarity with low-carbon policies, regulations, and investment frameworks at the national and international levels
Application Process:
Applicants should submit a bid consisting of:
a CV
a covering letter outlining how their knowledge and experience meets the requirements for this assignment
a quotation for up to 25 working days
Note: we will prioritise candidates that demonstrate excellent Value for Money in their quotation.
to elizabeth.tennyson@centreforglobalequality.org by 15 August 2024.