Procurement Ref No: (PAF II-AF2-S-Ind-209/JSDF)

Terms of Reference for Nepalese Designers to Provide Skill & Design Trainings to Artisans (Craft skill: Natural Dyeing)

Procurement Ref no: (PAF II-AF2-S-Ind-209/JSDF)

1.  BACKGROUND

JSDF TF 11208 “Making Markets Work for the Conflict Affected in Nepal” is a JSDF supported and World Bank managed project that aims at helping poor artisan communities of Nepal set up and strengthen their own self-managed local cluster level institutions to access sustainable livelihoods on a long term basis. The emphasis is on enhancing the livelihood opportunities and share of rural artisans in the market for cultural industries and related sectors. The project shall support the poorest and conflicts affected communities, who are known for their traditional skill and rich cultural heritage, and aims to strengthen local artisan communities’ capacity to manage their own artisan economic activity competitively by providing assistance to strengthen each link in the craft value chain.

The project is being implemented by Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF). PAF is an autonomous institution set by Nepal Government Act 2063. PAF has been working with community organizations in 55 districts and has been working with more than 300 partner organizations focusing on building social capital and livelihoods in different parts of the country. PAF has adopted a demand led community-based approach to alleviate poverty. Keeping the target communities in the driving seat, it encourages them to take initiatives to improve their livelihoods, particularly by organizing them into community organizations. The target communities plan what they need and prioritize on the basis of their capacity and local resource potentials. They receive direct community funding for the effective implementation of the sub-projects proposed by the community.

This project provides support for the livelihood enhancement of vulnerable communities, especially artisans. The project is being implemented in Terathum, Dhanusha, Lalitpur, Kapilbastu, Gorkha, Myagdi, Dailekh and Dang Districts of Nepal. In order to ensure sustainability, the project aims to help poor artisan communities to establish and strengthen their own cluster level institutions. One of the components of the project is to improve the skills of artisans, and strengthen their capacity to innovate and develop new designs. PAF is seeking a reputed designer who can conduct a series of skill development and design development workshops in the project districts.

2.  OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the project is to enhance the opportunities and share of rural artisans (especially the poorest, internally displaced, landless and the vulnerable) in the crafts and cultural market.

The objective of this assignment is to upgrade skills and improve design development capacity of artisans and master trainers in Natural Dyeing in order to enable them to design, develop and produce the products as demanded and liked by contemporary markets.

At least 245 artisans are expected to be trained in one or more of JSDF working districts i.e Dhanusa, Kapilbastu, Dang, Dailekh, Myagdi, Terathum, Gorkha and Lalitpur.

3.  SCOPE OF THE SERVICES

The craft skill identified for the trainings is Natural Dyeing.

The trainings will be conducted in one or more of the project districts, i.e. Terathum, Dhanusa, Kapilbastu, Lalitpur, Myagdi, Dailekh,Dang and Gorkha at a suitable location that allows for easy mobility and access for artisans. The designer will be required to travel to the concerned district and deliver the trainings/workshops.

The responsibilities include:

  1. Conduct 3 skill enhancement trainings and 4 designs development workshops (total of 7 trainings/workshops) with participants (at least 30-35 per workshop) from Producer Groups formed by PAF in line with the objectives of the project in each districts. These trainings will train/develop master trainers for further trainings with the artisans.
  2. Work with the PAF team and provide guidance in terms of technical support and inputs in the area of design and product development for the products produced by the Producer Group members and advise them on future market trends /forecast.
  3. Develop at least 20 different marketable design/product prototypes through the 4 design development workshops (5 prototypes per workshop). Develop two sets of each prototype.
  4. Create designer kits, specification sheets and product catalog for the products developed during the workshops.
  5. Introduce concepts of marketing, branding, packaging, costing, pricing and other relevant areas while concluding the design training/workshops.
  6. Undertake any additional and relevant tasks that might occur according to capacity and profile

4.  REQUIREMENTS

The designer must have:

  1. At least 5 (five) years of experience in designing and/or promoting handicrafts in the identified craft skill.
  2. At least 2 (two) years of experience in conducting skill and design trainings in the identified craft skill.
  3. Knowledge and experience in traditional and indigenous skills and designs.
  4. Experience in working with grassroots communities and community based products and value chain.
  5. Fluency in Nepali and locals dialect of target districts will be an added advantage.
  6. Ability to write reports in Nepali or English.
  7. Willingness to travel as required to various project sites.
  8. Motivation to commit significant time for quality assurance and overall development of artisans.

5.  DELIVERABLES

By the end of the contract, the designer shall deliver the following outputs:

  1. Skill Enhancement Trainings: Conduct 3 skill development workshops. This includes assessment of existing skill levels of artisans, categorization of their skill levels, and preparing corresponding documentation that captures these details as well as the change in skill levels after the trainings.
  2. Design development Workshops: Conduct at least 4 Design development workshops and develop at least 5 design/product prototypes per workshop (total 20 design/product prototypes) with 2 copies of each prototype. Develop designer kits, specification manuals and product catalog for these 20 new prototypes developed.
  3. Market Trends: The workshops should result in the artisans getting exposure to the present market trends, color forecasting and trend analysis.
  4. Pricing and Costing of Products: The artisans need to get an overview of marketing / branding / packaging /costing and pricing during the design training/workshop. The prototypes developed should have the costing completed and a template for the same.
  5. Submit workshop/event reports with two sets of prototype developed during the design training/workshop.

6.  REPORTING

The selected designers will work out of their own office and report directly to the Executive Director, PAF (Nepal). For coordination and communication purposes, she/he will report to Project Officer – JSDF and/or Technical Specialist (Market Linkages).

7.  DURATION

The contract period shall be for 5 months from the date of agreement.

8.  PAYMENT MODE AND SCHEDULE

The selected designers will be paid in Nepalese Rupees of contract days inclusive of tax (Applicable tax shall be deducted from contract value). Payment will be released based on deliverables, post completion of the each of the 7 workshops. Transportation cost will be reimbursed on actual basis and accommodation & Food will be facilitating by PAF during training periods. The selected designers will submit requests for payment to PAF Nepal.

9.  SELECTION PROCESS

Selection will be based on the World Bank Guidelines for Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, dated January 2011.

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