Introduction

The Nepal Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2013–2017 highlighted the need to strengthen the performance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project portfolios. In response and following a request from the Government of Nepal during the 2014 Country Programming Mission, the Technical Assistance (TA 8847-NEP): Enhancing Portfolio Performance was approved by the ADB in December 2014. One of the key objectives of this TA was to establish a Capacity Development Resource Center (CDRC) dedicated to building the capacity of staff involved in ADB-assisted projects through training on ADB procedures, project implementation, and thematic areas. Pursuant to this objective, the CDRC was established within the premises of the Nepal Administrative Staff College (NASC) in November 2015.

Building upon the ongoing initiatives of the CDRC, the Technical Assistance (TA-10475 NEP: Country Operations Management Enhancement – Capacity Building Program) was approved by the ADB in December 2024 to further enhance the institutional and human resource capacities of executing and implementing agencies (EAs/IAs), enabling them to manage, process, and implement ADB-financed projects more efficiently and effectively. The TA focuses on three key outputs: improving programming processes and project readiness, enhancing the capacity of EAs/IAs in project implementation and supervision, and strengthening overall portfolio performance. To address institutional and human resource challenges, ADB has been supporting capacity development through the CDRC. Under the new TA, a lump-sum consulting services contract (S210285) has been signed on 19 September 2025. 

NASC has been engaged through direct contracting to design and deliver 40 training programs and specialized clinics covering ADB procedures, procurement and contract management, project management tools, social and environmental safeguards (including the Environmental and Social Framework – ESF), financial management, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), thematic and sectoral areas, and good practices for sustainable infrastructure development, ensuring that at least 30% of all participants are women. The inception report has been prepared and submitted to ADB as one of the key milestones outlined in the signed contract.

Scope of Works

1. The scope of the services to be provided by NASC includes the following activities.
2. Design an overall structure of the training in close coordination with the team leader, ADB and relevant agencies.
3. Conduct training needs assessment in close coordination with the team leader, ADB and executing and implementing agencies.
4. Prepare annual training calendar in consultations with team leader, TA consultants and ADB.
5. Coordinate with key government agencies, such as Public Procurement Monitoring Office, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Financial Comptroller General Office and Ministry of Finance, when appropriate, to ensure that there is no overlap and orient on the training program activities.
6. Conduct 40 training programs (including specific clinics support) to training 1,100 government staff.
7. Facilitate in developing at least 3 joint training modules with ASCI, India and 3 modules for thematic areas.
8. Conduct training needs assessment to identify specific capacity gaps of selected agencies and develop annual training calendar.
9. Assess needs on thematic and sector training needs and facilitate the delivery of such programs
10. Provide overall supervision and ensure quality of the training programs.
11. Summarize key areas of discussion at the end of each training session.
12. Manage overall logistics of the training, including sending out invitations to participants and management of the training venues.
13. Manage all payments related to the training, ensuring sufficient documentation for these payments as required by ADB.
14. Effective use of existing online nomination registration system in close coordination with MOF and ADB.
15. Facilitate in development of e-learning modules on financial management, social, environment and occupational, health and safety and GESI; and conduct training programs.
16. Coordinate with local development training academy and provincial training academy to conduct and enhance capacity building at provincial and local levels.
17. Develop baseline indicators in the first year to undertake impact assessment of CDRC training programs, monitor progress and submit reports.
18. Maintain roster of training of trainers.
19. Prepare and submit reports to ADB and MOF as specified in Section IV.

Duration

The assignment is expected to commence from September 2025 to 30 June 2027.

Objectives of the Assignments

The objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Strengthen institutional and individual capacity of executing agencies and implementing agencies (EAs/IAs) for effective project implementation.
2. Improve understanding and application of ADB’s policies and procedures, including procurement, contract management, safeguards, financial management, project management, GESI, and occupational health and safety.
3. Conduct 40 training programs (including specific clinics support) to training 1,100 government staff, ensuring that 30% of participants are women.
4. Develop e-learning modules (financial management, social and environmental safeguards, OHS and GESI)
5. Develop baseline for impact assessment of training programs.

CDRC Implementation Team

No.	Name	Position	Key Role as mentioned (III. Staff requirements, Contract no. S210285)
1	Shiva Adhikari	CDRC Director	Overall leadership, coordination with ADB
2	Shailendra Bhatt	Team Coordinator/Training Specialist	Planning, reporting, and quality assurance
3	Upendra Gautam	Financial Management Specialist	Design and deliver FM training and modules
4	Ashok Kumar Jha	Procurement Specialist	Procurement and contract management training
5	Rupak Rajbhandari	Contract Management Specialist	Construction management and monitoring tools
6	Bhim Subedi	Social Safeguards Specialist	Social safeguards and stakeholder training
7	Pasangdolma Sherpa	Indigenous Peoples Specialist	Inclusion and safeguards modules
8	Padam Bahadur Chand	Environmental Safeguards Specialist	Environmental compliance and ESF training
9	Kabiraj Pun	Health and Safety Specialist	OHS training and module design
10	Achala Dahal	GESI Specialist	GESI integration, ensure 30% women participants
11	Raghu Bista	Project Management Specialist	Project readiness and performance improvement
12	Shashi Acharya	Information System Development Specialist	E-learning, online nomination and tracking system