Request for Proposal (RFP)

Hiring consultant to Conduct Research on Women’s Coping Strategies, GBV Risks, Socio-Emotional Trauma, and Climate Vulnerabilities

1: Background introduction:

LASOONA: RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION is a national, multi-disciplinary, development-focused non-profit organization. Established in 1997 by a group of dedicated, visionary, and civic-minded individuals, LASOONA was created with a mission to promote human and natural resource development in vulnerable and impoverished areas of Pakistan. The organization was formally registered in 1998 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. In 2023, LASOONA was incorporated as a not-for-profit company under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017, and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

LASOONA is accredited by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) and holds tax-exempt status under Section 2(36) of the Income Tax Ordinance, granted by the Federal Board of Revenue, Government of Pakistan. The organization envisions a resilient and equitable society where citizens lead dignified and prosperous lives. This vision is realized by empowering disadvantaged and at-risk communities to recover from shocks and crises, manage their resources sustainably and equitably, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty. LASOONA pursues its mission through emergency relief, climate resilience building, equitable socio-economic development, and the promotion of sustainable food systems.

In partnership with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), LASOONA is implementing a project titled “Faith in Action – Mobilising Civil Society for Lasting Social Change (CES and CR WASH)”. The project is being carried out in selected village councils of District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The overall objective of the project is to enhance climate and environmental stewardship, with a particular focus on climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). It also aims to strengthen the capacity of at-risk communities especially women and the extremely poor to anticipate, adapt to, and absorb the adverse impacts of climate-induced shocks and stresses. 

Currently we are seeking the services of a consultant to conduct focused research in selected village councils of Tehsil Bahrain District Swat on women’s coping strategies in the face of climate-induced disasters, associated GBV risks, socio-emotional trauma, and intersecting vulnerabilities. The research will provide critical insights into how climate shocks affect women and girls differently and identify entry points for protection-sensitive and gender-responsive resilience interventions. Detail terms and conditions of the assignment and Terms of Reference (TORs) are outlined below 

2: Terms and conditions:

2.1 Logistics arrangements for consultant: 

LASOONA will pay a lump sum consultancy fee. The selected consultant will be responsible for covering all expenses related to the assignment, including travel, boarding/lodging, and any equipment required for its completion. However, the cost of logistics arrangements for engaging faith leaders for advocacy purpose, as well as stationery and printing of materials if any, will be borne by LASOONA.

2.3: Require documents to be submitted along with proposal

The proposal for this assignment must include the following components:

a. Cover Letter

• Referencing the source of the advertisement.
• Providing a brief justification of the consultant’s suitability for the assignment.

b. Technical Proposal
The technical proposal should clearly explain the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach to delivering the expected results. It must include:

• Approach and Methodology: Describe how the assignment will be carried out and how the intended outcomes will be achieved.
• Data Collection and Stakeholder Engagement: Outline the proposed methodology for both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Explain the strategy for engaging stakeholders, including target groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.
• Work Plan and Timeline: Provide a detailed work plan with a timeline for implementing the assignment activities from initiation to completion. This should cover:
• Literature review
• Preparation and submission of the inception report
• Design and refinement of assessment tools
• Presentation of findings to LASOONA’s and stakeholders
• Drafting research report

c. Financial Proposal

• A financial proposal using the prescribed quotation form provided below, duly signed and stamped.

d. Consultant’s Profile

• A detailed profile of the lead consultant, highlighting relevant expertise and experience in tool development, data analysis, presentation, report writing, and the preparation of findings to stakeholders/faith leaders
• The profile should also reflect the consultant’s experience in coordinating with government authorities and stakeholders for validation of findings and development of advocacy brief.

e. List of Similar Assignments

A summary of previous assignments of a similar nature, please use the following template to list previous assignments:

g.  Copy of NTN and GST registration form (if applicable). 

h.  Copy of registration/certification (if applicable) 

2.4: Financial proposal/Quoted rates:

All quoted rates in the financial proposal must be stated in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), including both unit rates and total amounts. Proposals quoting rates in any currency other than PKR will not be considered during the evaluation and awarding process. All quoted rates must be inclusive of all applicable government taxes, including but not limited to income tax, sales tax, and any other taxes or charges that may apply during the contract period. The quoted rates should also cover all costs associated with the assignment, including travel, accommodation, and logistics.

2.5: Duration of contract:

Total duration of the assignment is 4 months; the tentative activity wise timeline of the assignment is given in the ToRs which will be finalized with mutual consultation when the consultant is onboard:

2.6: Payment schedule; 

Payment will be made on completion of the assignment in three installments upon submission of deliverables and its relevant documents. All applicable taxes will be deducted at the time of payment release.

1. First installment 30% upon approval of submitted inception report. 
2. Second installment 40% will be released o completion of field work, data collection and presentation on topline findings.
3. Third and final installment 30% will be issued on approval of final report along with datasets, policy and advocacy briefs, and advocacy and communication materials. 

2.7: Shortlisting and Selection criteria:   

After receiving all proposal LASOONA will analyze the proposals according to the following criteria: 

1. Adequate technical capacity specified in the (ToRs) attached
2. Financial proposal Rates offered is within the available budget
3. Agreement on all the terms conditions specially time frame of the assignment.
4. Out of 100 marks weightage of technical proposal will be 70% and financial proposal will be 30%.
5. Final selection will be subject to approval of LASOONA based on recommendations of the procurement committee.
6. LASOONA reserve the right to reject any proposal without any reasons
7. LASOONA can cancel the tender due to unforeseen emergency situation and non-availability of funds

2.8: Procedure of consultant selection:

1. In the first stage after opening of the bids the shortlisting of the potential consultant will be carried out.
2. In the 2nd stage the shortlisted consultants are invited to LASOONA head Office in Swat for in person or virtual interview, where the capacities of consultant will be assessed by the selection panel.
3. The selection panel will assess the quality of previous experience, quality of understanding on the subject theme, expertise in facilitation/presentation as well as report writing skills and may ask for means of verification for the assignments accomplished in the past.
4. If needed the selection panel will check the reference of previous work carried out by the consultant, on request of the selection panel the consultant has to submit the means of verification of previous work experience.  

2.9. How to apply:

Interested consultants shall send their sealed proposal along with required documents on single stage one envelope procedures Technical and financial addressed to Head of Admin LASOONA, College Officer Colony Behind Swat Serena Hotel Saidu Sharif, Distt. Swat” Phone No. 0946-9240071, Offers must be reached to the above address on or before the close of business on May 10, 2026 5:00 PM.  Envelop must be clearly marked with title of the assignment applied for.

For your further queries on this please send us email on the following email IDs: 

[email protected]

keeping in cc 

[email protected] 

Note: LASOONA has the right to accept or reject any proposal without any reason

Template for financial proposal/Quotation form

Please submitt your financial proposal on below template. Quoted rates/fee must be inclusive of all applicable taxes and associated cost. Please don’t split and break the rates, the procurment committee reserve the right to reject any proposal if the template is not followed. Any cutting re-writing and use of removable ink or whitener on the financial proposal/quotation form is not acceptable unless dully signed by the applicant.

       1: Validity period of the quoted rates not less than 4 months: _________________________

      2: Name of consultant : ____________________________________________________

      3: Name of applicant: __________________________________________________________

      4: Complete postal Address: _____________________________________________

       ___________________________________________________________________________

      5: Official contact numbers landline: _______________________________________________

      6: Official contact number cell: ___________________________________________________

      7: NTN/GSTN. _______________________________________________________________

      8: Functional Email for official corresndence: ________________________________

      9: Official stamp if any: _________________________________________________________

     10: Signature of applicant: _______________________________________________________

     11: Date proposal submission: ______________________________________________

Annexure-A

Detailed Terms of Reference (ToRs)

Intersecting Climate-Induced Vulnerabilities and GBV Risks: Women’s Coping Strategies, Trauma, and Resilience in Targeted Village councils in Swat

1. Introduction: 

District Swat particularly the chail valley in tehsil Bahrain is increasingly affected by climate-induced shocks, including floods, erratic rainfall, and environmental degradation, which disproportionately impact women and girls. These challenges not only undermine livelihoods and food security but also exacerbate existing gender inequalities, heightening risks of gender-based violence (GBV), negative coping mechanisms, and socio-emotional distress.

In this context, the proposed research aims to generate in-depth, evidence-based insights into women’s lived experiences, focusing on their coping strategies, exposure to GBV risks, psychosocial well-being, and intersecting climate vulnerabilities. By documenting these dimensions, the study will highlight how climate stressors uniquely affect women and girls, while also capturing their resilience, agency, and adaptive capacities. The findings will serve as a critical foundation for designing gender-responsive, protection-sensitive, and trauma-informed interventions, as well as for strengthening advocacy efforts at community and district levels.

Recognizing the influential role of social and cultural norms in shaping behaviors, the study will further support targeted engagement with faith leaders and community influencers in Swat, who hold significant moral authority and trust within communities. By using research findings as an evidence base, the project will engage these actors as champions of disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, gender equality, and GBV prevention.

Through this approach, resilience and protection will be framed as shared ethical and social responsibilities rooted in faith and community values. This is expected to foster more inclusive attitudes, challenge harmful practices, and promote acceptance of women’s leadership and participation in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience initiatives.

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 

The overall objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Assess and document the extent and nature of GBV risks women are exposed to and coping strategies they employed in response to climate induced shocks in selected village councils of Tehsil Bahrain district Swat.
2. Examine socio-emotional trauma patterns and psychosocial well-being
3. Translate research findings into evidence-based recommendations for policy and programming considering HDP nexus.
4. Develop tailored advocacy materials to engage men and women faith actors and community influencers in promoting gender equality, GBV prevention, and climate resilience.

Research Questions:

The key research questions include: 

1. What coping strategies do women adopt in response to climate-induced shocks, and how do these strategies affect their exposure to GBV?

2. What forms of GBV are most prevalent in climate-stressed context in Swat (or specify lower level of administrative unit) 

3. How do women experience and articulate socio-emotional trauma related to climate and GBV risks 

4. What protective factors and resilience mechanisms exist within communities?

5. How can humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) approaches be integrated to address GBV, climate vulnerability, and psychosocial wellbeing?
6. What role can faith leaders and community influencers play in advancing gender equality, GBV prevention, and climate resilience?

1. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be responsible for designing, implementing, and delivering a comprehensive research study that addresses the stated objectives and research questions. The research framework must explicitly incorporate an HDP Nexus lens, analyzing how humanitarian needs, long-term development challenges, and social cohesion/peace dynamics intersect in shaping women’s vulnerabilities and coping strategies.” The scope of work will include the following components:

3.1 Research Design and Planning

• Develop a comprehensive research framework that integrates gender, GBV, climate vulnerability, and psychosocial dimensions.
• Define sampling strategy and inclusion criteria to ensure representativeness of women and girls across selected communities (villages councils / administrative units).
• Develop and pilot test culturally sensitive and ethically sound data collection tools, including Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides, Key Informant Interview (KIIs) questionnaires, and participatory research instruments. 
• Establish safeguarding protocols, referral pathways, and "Do No Harm" procedures to protect participants. 
• Submit an inception report detailing methodology, tools, workplan, and timeline for approval. 

3.2 Field work/Data collection

• Conduct FGDs with women and girls to document coping strategies and GBV risks in climate-stressed contexts.
• Carry out KIIs with stakeholders such as community leaders, service providers, and local authorities.
• Facilitate participatory exercises to capture community-level resilience mechanisms and protective factors.
• Collect case staties that illustrates lived experiences of socio-emotional trauma and coping strategies.
• Ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and adherence to ethical standards throughout fieldwork. 

3.3 Data Analysis

• Analyze findings to identify: 
• Climate-related vulnerabilities affecting women 
• GBV risks and negative coping mechanisms 
• Psychosocial impacts and trauma patterns 
• HDP Nexus Analysis: Identify entry points for integrated humanitarian, development, and peace-responsive programming.

3.4 Reporting

• Draft a comprehensive research report that addresses all research objectives and questions.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for policy and programming, with clear HDP nexus applications linking immediate needs, long-term resilience, and social cohesion.”
• Incorporate case studies and narratives to illustrate women lived experiences. 
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for policy and programming, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and local realities.
• Revise and finalize the report based on feedback from the steering group for this assignment and stakeholders. 

3.5 Advocacy and knowledge translation 

• Develop a concise policy/advocacy brief summarizing key findings and actionable recommendations. 
• Produce tailored advocacy materials to engage faith leaders (representing both genders) and community influencers.
• Ensure advocacy materials are culturally appropriate and promote gender equality, GBV prevention, and climate resilience. 

3.6 Validation and Dissemination

• Present research findings to faith leaders, community influencers (both men and women), concerned public institutions and local stakeholders through validation workshops.
• Document workshops, including stakeholders' feedback and validations of findings.
• Develop an abridged version of research findings and a presentation for wider dissemination. 
• Ensure ethical considerations, confidentiality, and “Do No Harm” principles throughout the research. 

4. Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver:

1. REQUIRE CAPACITIES QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

The potential consultant/firm should meet the following criteria:

• Advanced degree in gender studies, public health, climate change, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Sciences
• Minimum 7 years of experience in conducting research on gender, GBV, climate change, or MHPSS 
• Proven experience in qualitative and mixed-method research 
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and ethical research practices 
• Experience working with faith leaders or community influencers is highly desirable 
• Excellent report writing and analytical skills 
• Familiarity with the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (preferably Swat)

1. SCHEDULE & TIMELINE:  

Total duration of the assignment is 4 months, tentatively initiated in May 2026. The detail timeline of the assignment is given below which will be finalized with mutual consultation when the consultant is onboard:

1. COORDINATION, SUPERVISION & REPORTING: 

The selected consultant will coordinate and report to the designated focal person of LASOONA.

 The major processes in conducting the assignment will include:

1. Complete literature review (essentially include but not limiting to project documents provided by LASOONA, similar studies done by other organizations working in same areas) The study design, tools and reporting templates shall be agreed on before the field work.   
2. Coordinating with LASOONA focal persons in preparation and planning of study indicators, tools instruments, sampling strategy, and analysis template of adaptation plan and presentation template
3. Regular coordination with the focal person and ensure the feedback of technical advisory team is incorporated.
4. Ensuring that high quality study standards and harmonized, globally endorsed methodologies are applied to complete the assignment. 
5. Ensure high quality segregated data information both collection and reporting through a gender and vulnerability lens.
6. Submit datasets along with all deliverables. 

1. Steering Group

The Steering Group, comprising thematic experts from LASOONA, NCA program, and MEAL, will serve in an advisory and strategic oversight role to guide the overall direction, quality, and ethical integrity of the research on gender, GBV, climate vulnerability, and psychosocial wellbeing. The group will provide high-level inputs during key stages of the assignment including, review and approval of major deliverables (such as the, technical proposal, inception report, draft and final reports, and advocacy products), and validation of findings while ensuring alignment with program priorities, safeguarding standards, and donor expectations. Without being involved in day-to-day implementation, the Steering Group will support informed decision-making, highlight risks, and offer technical guidance to strengthen the relevance, credibility, and utilization of the research outcomes.

1. SELECTION METHOD:

The final selection of consultant will be done by LASOONA in accordance with procurement guidelines of LASOONA, and Donor.

1. Place of the Assignment

The place of assignment will be 5 selected Village Councils in Tehsil Bahrain district Swat 

1. Travel, Accommodation & Per diem (if any)

11.1. Travels

Not applicable 

11.2. Accommodation: 

Not applicable 

11.3 Applicable Per Diem:

Not applicable  

1. Compensation, payment schedule and modality; 

1. Compensation: The consultant will be paid lump sum consultancy fee in PKR 
2. Schedule and modality: Payment to the consultant will be made on completion of the assignment. The payment will be made on submission of request on Original Commercial Invoice (addressed to LASOONA as per terms and conditions in the signed service contract) expenses for commercial courier to be covered by the consultant.