FWEAN implementation in collaboration with EWPN program

ToR for Consultancy

“Develop FWEAN’s Organizational Strategy to extend Membership to Informal Economy”

Date of Publication (2nd Call): 27 August 2025

Final date of application: 5th September 2025             

1. Background

Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN) is a national umbrella organization of WEAN, established in 2003. With its WEAN chapter currently active in 76 districts and a vision to expand across all 77 districts of Nepal. Based in Kathmandu, FWEAN is served as common platform for women entrepreneurs. It facilitates networking, collaboration and policy advocacy with the government to promote the women’s economic rights. The platform also helps to promote partnerships with other national and international development organizations and stakeholders to enhance economic opportunities and skill development for women. Ultimately, the Federation seeks to redefine the role of women entrepreneurship- not only as a driver of economic growth and poverty reduction, but also as a pathway for women’s participation and leadership across all levels of the socio-economic landscape. Context of this Consultancy Services

FWEAN contributes to implementing the Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN) program through the implementation agreement entitled “Labour market reintegration of vulnerable women through self-employment” in Madhesh Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpashchim Province of Nepal. ILO and other three UN agencies are implementing the EWPN Programme. Its primary objective of this Program is the economic empowerment of highly vulnerable Nepali women, particularly young women and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), by increasing their income-generating opportunities.  The program will support to strengthen capacities of FWEAN and other stakeholders to respond to the needs of vulnerable women entrepreneurs. Among these interventions, a strategy will also be developed to expand membership to women engaged in the informal economy.  This TOR is part of the Implementation Agreement (IA) “Labour market reintegration of vulnerable women through self-employment” between the FWEAN and the ILO. It contributes to the broader UN-EU joint programme “Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal (EWPN)”, implemented in Madhesh, Karnali and Sudurpashchhim provinces of Nepal.

FWEAN has a five year strategic Plan 2022-2026 to promoting and supporting women entrepreneurs across Nepal. In Nepal the traditional business membership has been rooted in the formal sector, FWEAN recognizes that a significant majority of self-employed women in Nepal operate within the informal economy lacking access to social protection, business development services, and market linkages. Building on lessons learned from its past and ongoing initiatives and aligned with global and national priorities to formalize and empower informal workers, FWEAN intends to revisit and revise its Strategic Plan 2022-2026 to extend its membership to women operating in the informal economy and tailor its services to meet their needs.

2. Purpose of Consultancy service:

Understanding and recognizing that most self-employed women in Nepal are contributing to the informal economy, though they are not formally registered. The strategy will suggest a way of formalizing them and integrating with FWEAN and WEAN district chapters.  FWEAN will explore its earlier interventions and learnings efforts to bring the informal economy into the formal economy. The Strategy will incorporate actions that will assist in formalising their businesses.

3. Objective of the Assignment

The main objective of this consultancy is to support FWEAN in developing a comprehensive organizational strategy to expand its membership base to an informal economy and ensure provision of relevant service to the segment of such informal enterprises.

4. Scope of Work and Key Tasks

The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

A. Assessment and Situation Analysis

• Review FWEAN’s current structure, membership model, and service delivery mechanism.
• Map and analyse the profile of women in the informal economy across key sectors.
• Identify key barriers to membership and engagement faced by informal women entrepreneurs.
• Identify specific segments in the informal economy which FWEAN can target through a membership strategy.

B. Stakeholder Consultation

• Conduct consultations and interviews with:
• Informal women entrepreneurs (existing and potential members),
• FWEAN member associations,
• Relevant government and civil society stakeholders,
• Partner organizations and donors

C. Strategy Development

• Develop a draft Organizational Strategy for FWEAN to extend membership to the informal economy, including:
• Vision, goals, and strategic pillars
• Membership categories, benefits, and value proposition
• Inclusive service delivery models tailored to informal workers
• Organizational and operational adjustments needed for implementation
• GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) mainstream strategies
• Potential partnerships and collaboration frameworks
• Phase-wise rollout plan and implementation roadmap

D. Validation and Finalization

• Facilitate a stakeholder validation workshop to review and refine the strategy
• Submit a final, comprehensive strategy document incorporating feedback

5. Deliverables and Timeline:

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in organizational development, business management, gender studies, economics, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of experience in strategy development, membership-based organizations, or informal economy programming.
• Demonstrated understanding of women’s entrepreneurship, informal work, and GEDSI principles.
• Proven track record of working with civil society or membership-based organizations.
• Strong facilitation, analytical, and writing skills.

7. Reporting and Supervision:

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of FWEAN’s Executive Director and in close coordination with the designated strategy development taskforce.

8. Application Process:

Interested consultants are invited to submit:

• A technical proposal outlining their approach, methodology, and relevant experience.
• A financial proposal (inclusive of all applicable taxes).
• CV highlighting relevant work.
• At least two samples of similar strategy documents prepared by the consultant

Applicants are requested to send the documents to info@fwean.org.np (email address of FWEAN) no later than 5th September 2025, Friday. Applications received after this will not be considered.

9. Payment Modality:

Payment for consultancy services will be based on the assigned tasks. The consultancy fee shall be finalized through mutual agreement with the selected consultant.

The detailed payment schedule and conditions will be specified in the contract between FWEAN and the consultant.