UNICEF is seeking a qualified partner to strengthen participation by civil-society organisations and citizens in public-sector performance audits in Nepal, working within the Office of the Auditor General’s Citizen Participatory Audit framework. Application deadline: 26 October 2026.
Opportunity overview
- UN Partner Portal reference: CEF/NPL/2026/022
- Issuing agency: UNICEF
- Geography: Nepal: seven provinces including Bagmati, Gandaki, Koshi, Madhesh, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim
- Application deadline: 26 October 2026
- Planned implementation period: 23 November 2026 to 31 December 2027
- Indicative funding: Not disclosed
- Application channel: UN Partner Portal
Programme objectives and delivery model
Citizen Participatory Audit, or CPA, is recognised under Nepal’s CPA Directives 2023. CSOs contribute local knowledge, citizen perspectives and appropriate evidence to the Auditor General’s approved performance-audit work. They do not conduct a separate, independently authoritative government audit, and the Office of the Auditor General retains control over the audit process and conclusions.
The programme aims to build the ability of CSOs and citizen auditors to participate effectively, support selected social-sector performance audits and help communicate released findings in clear citizen-friendly formats. Activities may involve training, identifying suitable audit topics, community consultation, field observation, interviews and contributing evidence to audit teams.
The distinction between evidence gathering and formal audit decision-making matters. A partner should have methods for verifying local information, documenting its provenance, handling sensitive concerns, and cooperating with the official team. Where the Auditor General has already released findings, public communication should accurately reflect those findings without exaggerating or changing their legal status.
The call covers multiple provinces, so applicants need a realistic provincial engagement model and relationships with local civil society, public services and relevant oversight institutions. It is relevant to organisations with social accountability, public finance, local governance or civic participation capabilities.
Who should consider applying?
The call seeks a partner experienced in participatory governance, citizen engagement, public finance or social accountability, with credible capacity to coordinate with government and CSOs. Institutional experience on comparable assignments is particularly significant in the selection process.
Selection criteria and competitive positioning
The weighting is 35 for technical institutional experience, 25 for programme relevance and coordination, 25 for results and reporting, 10 for sustainability, and 5 for cost effectiveness. Substantiated examples of work with government, UN bodies or reputable development partners will be important.
Five application priorities
- 1. Define the role of each partner and safeguard the independence and formal authority of the Office of the Auditor General.
- 2. Describe how citizen auditors will be recruited, trained, supervised and included safely.
- 3. Specify tools for focus groups, interviews, field evidence and validation without inventing audit findings.
- 4. Plan accessible communication only after official audit information is approved for public release.
- 5. Establish quality assurance, reporting and local institutional knowledge-transfer processes.
A practical evidence example
A measurable output might be a documented number of trained citizen auditors who meet assessed competencies, followed by verified contributions to officially approved performance-audit activities. This differs from claiming that the CSO itself certified an audit result.
Important mistake to avoid
Do not advertise this as a cash grant for whistle-blowers or a parallel independent audit service. It is a structured technical partnership within the national audit system.
Frequently asked questions
Who conducts the formal audit?
The Office of the Auditor General retains formal authority and accountability.
What may CSOs contribute?
Planning inputs, evidence collection, social-accountability tools, analytical support and communication of officially released findings.
Which provinces are listed?
Gandaki, Bagmati, Sudurpashchim, Karnali, Lumbini, Koshi and Madhesh.
What is the deadline?
26 October 2026.
What is the funding amount?
Not disclosed in the notice.
Official source and application route
Applicants should locate CEF/NPL/2026/022 on the official UN Partner Portal. Read the current full terms of reference and attachments, including the technical and financial proposal templates, exact closing time, safeguarding requirements and any amendments. These calls select prospective partners and do not guarantee an agreement.
Next steps for your organisation
A bid/no-bid review should begin with legal eligibility, local presence, demonstrable technical skills, sound financial controls and the time available to produce a credible proposal. Use the Africads Grant Funding Toolkit to organise evidence and implementation readiness. For an independent review of fit or a draft concept note, contact Africads Consultants. Subscribe to free Grant News to receive future opportunities.
