Terms of Reference (ToR)
Consultant-Monitoring and Data Visualization
Engagement Type: Consultant (Full-time)
Location: Hybrid work (combination of remote work and in-person engagement at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as required)
Assignment Period: Until 31st December 2026 (Further extension is subject to the requirement, performance and fund availability)
1. Organisational Background
People's Rural Education Movement (PREM) [www.prem.org.in] is a secular, humanitarian, non-political, and non-governmental organisation working with Adivasi, Dalit, fisherfolk, and other marginalized communities across Odisha and other parts of India. PREM works closely with government departments and development partners to strengthen governance systems, promote inclusive development, and advance evidence-based policymaking.
As part of its partnership with UNFPA, PREM has been actively engaged in initiatives addressing women's empowerment, demographic challenges, and social development. Under the Mission Shakti project, UNFPA and PREM work in partnership to support the Government of Odisha in advancing women's empowerment through institutional strengthening, capacity building, and technology-enabled interventions. This partnership combines UNFPA's technical leadership and policy expertise with PREM's deep community presence and implementation experience, ensuring that initiatives such as DigiShakti training, digital systems for tracking, incentives, and accountability, and evidence-based policy support are effectively operationalized across the state.
2. Context and Rationale
Under its partnership with UNFPA, PREM supports a diverse portfolio of interventions on women's empowerment, demographic resilience, and social development, working closely with government departments and development partners. Across this portfolio, there is a continuous and growing demand for monitoring support, data visualization, and analytics to track programme progress, inform course correction, and communicate results to decision makers and partners.
A key priority in the current phase is the operationalization of a web based Incentive Management Tool for Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), which has been developed by an external agency to automate incentive calculation, track and record incentive payments, and maintain a robust digital audit trail linked to the existing Learning Management System (LMS). For the tool to deliver its intended value, it must be actively operationalized through integration with the LMS, testing of the incentive logic against real training data, validate dashboards and reports with programme staff, incorporate user feedback, and its embed workflows into the routine functioning of the concerned teams. This requires sustained, hands-on coordination between the vendor and the programme team.
In parallel, the team's ongoing monitoring and research work requires dedicated support for the design of data visualizations and dashboards, the development of concept notes and analytical products, and the preparation of presentations and briefs for programme planning and partner engagement. Equally important, policy formulation processes underway with government departments require close coordination and analytical support, including synthesis of programme evidence, data-driven analysis, drafting and refinement of policy documents, and follow-up with stakeholders to keep the formulation process on track and grounded in credible evidence. In addition, with the expansion of field-level engagement under the project, there is a need to establish an application-based system through which District Coordinators can record their daily activities and progress, enabling the state team to monitor field operations, identify bottlenecks, and provide timely support.
In this context, PREM seeks to engage a Consultant for Monitoring and Data Visualization for a short-term assignment for the period up to 31st December 2026. The primary role would entail data visualization, research support, policy related analytics and coordination, and support to the development of new digital monitoring systems.
3. Objective of the Consultancy
The primary objective of this consultancy is to ensure that the web based Incentive Management Tool for WSHGs under the Mission Shakti Department is fully operationalized and functional through effective coordination with the development vendor, and to strengthen the analytical capacity of the team by providing dedicated support in data visualization, research, concept note development, and policy related analytics and formulation, and to support the development of a platform and mechanism for tracking the activities and progress of District Coordinators, enabling effective monitoring by the state team.
4. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities
The broad scope of work and responsibilities, amongst others, include the following:
A. Vendor Coordination and Operationalization of the Incentive Management Web Tool for WSHGs of the Mission Shakti Department
• Serve as the primary coordination point between PREM, UNFPA, the Mission Shakti Department, and the development vendor for the web-based Incentive Management Tool, tracking progress against the agreed deliverables and timelines and escalating issues for timely resolution.
• Coordinate with the vendor to verify seamless integration of the tool with the existing LMS, ensuring accurate fetching of real-time data on completed trainings, certifications of DigiShakti Learners, and unique IDs of DigiShakti Trainers.
• Facilitate user testing with responsible staff, consolidate feedback on usability, content, and technical performance, and follow up with the vendor for incorporation of feedback, and resolution of issues and enhancement requests.
• Support the rollout of the Incentive Management System and coordinate the training of relevant stakeholders on the use of the tool.
• Ensure adherence to agreed security and data protection requirements, and follow up on handover of documentation, user manuals, and source code as per the agreed terms.
• Support post-launch monitoring of the tool during the initial incentive disbursement cycles, focussing on tool performance, data quality, and adoption for the relevant stakeholders.
B. Data Visualization, Research, and Analytics Support
• Coordinate with and support the team in the design and development of data visualizations, infographics, and monitoring products to track programme progress and communicate results effectively.
• Support ongoing research activities, including data compilation, cleaning, analysis, and interpretation of programme and secondary data.
• Assist in the development of concept notes, analytical briefs, and presentations for programme planning, partner engagement, and advocacy purposes.
• Provide analytical inputs for monitoring and reporting requirements of the team, ensuring that findings are presented in clear, accurate, and decision-ready formats.
• Support in the design and operationalization of an infrastructure monitoring application or portal to track the construction progress, fund utilisation, and readiness of Mission Shakti Bhawans across districts, established as safe, accessible, and gender-responsive spaces that strengthen institutional support for women's collectives.
C. Policy Related Analytics and Formulation Support
• Support the team in policy-related analytics for focusing on Women Empowerment, including synthesis of data, programme evidence, and comparative policy analyses to inform ongoing policy formulation processes.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and refining policy documents, evidence briefs, and background notes as required.
• Leverage data visualisation to strengthen the analytical foundation of policy documents.
• Support stakeholder consultations and review meetings linked to the policy formulation process
D. Support in the development of a Digital Platform for Tracking Progress of District Coordinators
• Support PREM / an external agency in conceptualising and development of a digital platform for monitoring the progress of work under the Mission Shakti project
• Support training of District Coordinators on the use of the application.
• Provide any other analytical, technical, and coordination support related to the above areas as reasonably assigned by PREM during the assignment period.
E. Any other relevant assignments subject to the project requirement
5. Consultancy Fees
In full consideration for the timely and satisfactory performance of the services, PREM shall pay a monthly consolidated Consultancy Fee of INR 100,000/- against the Consultant invoice, time sheet & Monthly Progress report approved by the designated authority, subject to deduction of TDS as applicable.
For any official travel (if required), PREM will additionally reimburse Travel, Accommodation and DSA against submission of claims and original invoices as per the travel policy.
6. Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in data science, Geoinformatics, Statistics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Computer Application, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
• Minimum 2 years of experience in data analytics, GIS data visualization, MIS or dashboard development, policy engagement or related work.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Google Looker Studio, Python, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with government programmes, women's empowerment initiatives, or social sector digital platforms is desirable.
• Working experience with any UN agency, development organisation, or government system is desirable.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills with the ability to translate data into clear visual products and policy-relevant recommendations.
• Proficiency in preparing concept notes, analytical briefs, presentations, and monitoring reports.
Languages:
Fluency in English is necessary. Working knowledge of Odia is desirable.
7. Application Process
Interested candidates are requested to send the latest resume and a one-page cover letter explaining suitability for this position to: premoffice.hr@gmail.com latest by 23:59 Hrs of 11th Sep 2026 with the subject line in the email “Application for Consultant-Monitoring and Data Visualization”.