Background

The world is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a sharp decline in global economic activities. In the country like Nepal where the economy is driven by remittance, major sectors are consumption pushed wholesale and retail trade, foreign arrivals dependent on the tourism sector, supply chain based manufacturing, and finally agriculture sector. The nationwide lockdown had the effect of disrupting supply chains, remittance, foreign arrivals, and consumption severely disrupting enterprises and jobs in these sectors. The crisis is making it difficult for all sections of society especially businesses to survive and sustain. It is certain that if all stakeholders do not collectivize to push for appropriate actions then the impact will be more pronounced.

Formal SMEs in Nepal contribute to 22 percent of total national output and provide employment to 1.7 million workers. Here, 94.6 percent of all Nepali enterprises are micro enterprises that employ 59 percent of all workers working in enterprises in the country. As such they also factor significantly in informal sector employment which accounts for 62.2 percent of national labor force. Supporting MSMEs therefore are a direct way to enable job creation and to ensure that these jobs are in line with existing labor standards.

A new fiscal year programme has been announced by government at all three levels where focus on micro small and medium enterprises was welcomed. Private sector, while widely welcoming of changes, have pointed out the need to deeply look at existing policy and regulatory framework to identify how it can be made more responsive to continued impact of COVID-19 and also similar future events. Similarly, past learning (over earthquake 2015) has shown that translation of policy to action is always a challenge. The problem in existing situation of COVID-19 is more complex, as normal operations of MSMEs will continue to be disrupted over a period of time due to local lockdowns and continued disruption to supply chain. Now it is necessary to look at what policy response measures can be taken for the medium and long run to enable a resilient recovery.

In response to these challenges, National Business Initiative(NBI) in partnership with International Labor Organization (ILO) has designed a short term project titled “Enabling resilient Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) recovery in response to impact of COVID-19″.

Scope of Work

NBI seeks to hire a consultant to contribute to achieve following project objectives:

• To develop a national private sector advocacy strategy for MSMEs.

The consultant and NBI in tandem will incorporate findings from each discussion to use it as a basis for meetings as following representatives and use the inputs received thereof in final report:

1. Individual representative employer organizations to ensure that their voice is addressed in the national advocacy strategy. Representatives of FHAN, FWEAN, FNCSI, FNCCI, FMAN, DIA, FMAN especially along with other relevant members.
2. NBI affiliate employer organizations who represent micro small and medium enterprises

Expected Outcomes and Deliverables

Duration of work will be equivalent to thirty-five person-days including the duration of review, dialogue and preparation of final report. At the end of the work period, the consultant shall provide a final document that outlines clear national private sector advocacy strategy for MSME promotion. Overall this will be an umbrella advocacy framework under which employer organizations can design and deliver their own policy advocacy activities. And finally the strategy will be accompanied by a draft implementation plan which will be approved and accepted by relevant NBI members.

Competencies

NBI seeks following competencies for successful candidate:

• Prior documented evidence of research, dialogues and advocacy
• Extensive knowledge of and network with private sector, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders

Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter along with updated CV to info@nbinepal.org.np by January 20^th, 2021. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Any enquiries and information can be directed to Prabhkar Sigdel (9841476826), Yogita Bajracharya (9860509731)