Term of Reference for Sr Consultant-WEE
Position Title: Senior Consultant – Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE)
Project / Initiative: WEE-TSU-UP
Duty Station: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (with extensive field travel across project districts)
Deliverables Review and Approval by :- Associate Director
Engagement Type: Consultancy (full-time, retainer basis)
Contract Duration: 10 months, renewable based on performance and programme requirements
Project Concern International India (PCI India) has been working since 1998 across several Indian states to strengthen rural livelihoods and advance women's economic empowerment. PCI-India is providing technical assistance to Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (UPSRLM) on integration of Health and Nutrition with community platforms, strengthening Take Home Ration Manufacturing Units, strengthening value chain interventions like Fisheries and Beekeeping for the economic empowerment of women. As part of its broader Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) portfolio, PCI India is strengthening these women-led enterprises through the integration of decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions, primarily the solarization of THR units, to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy costs, and build long-term enterprise resilience.
To support the overall technical support work, PCI India seeks to engage a Senior Consultant who will drive the technical, analytical, and implementation aspects of the Women Economic Empowerment specifically promotion of fisheries work in close coordination with UPSRLM, government stakeholders, development agencies, marketing firms and technical experts.
- Objective of the Assignment
The Senior Consultant-WEE will provide technical, analytical, implementation, documentation and liaison with Government for strengthening planning, executing, and monitoring Women Economic Empowerment interventions like Fisheries, women led livelihood initiatives etc. ensuring that these interventions are delivered on time, meet quality and safety standards, and are backed by sound, data-driven decision-making that ultimately strengthens women's economic empowerment outcomes and get scaled up by Government.
Scope of Work (Deliverable-Based)
The Consultant shall deliver the following outputs during the consultancy period of 10 months:
1.1 Enterprise & Institutional Strengthening
- Submit monthly enterprise support reports covering governance, business planning, operational strengthening, market linkage, and value chain support provided to SHGs, Cluster Federations, Producer Groups, and FPOs.
- Submit field assessment reports with observations, identified implementation gaps, recommendations, and action plans.
- Submit capacity-building reports, including training conducted, participant details, topics covered, and outcomes.
- Submit technical guidance reports for biofloc/fisheries interventions, documenting key observations and recommendations.
1.2 Monitoring, MIS & Reporting
- Develop and maintain an updated MIS dashboard covering enterprise performance, livelihood outcomes, production indicators, and programme progress.
- Submit monthly analytical reports with performance trends, key findings, challenges, and recommendations.
- Prepare technical inputs for DPRs, donor reports, presentations, and quarterly programme updates, as assigned.
1.3 Strategy & Business Development
- Submit concept notes, project proposals, partnership models, or strategic recommendations for expanding women's livelihood and enterprise initiatives.
- Submit periodic market and institutional opportunity analyses identifying potential partnerships, financing opportunities, and diversification models.
1.4 Knowledge Management
- Develop and submit knowledge products such as case studies, success stories, technical briefs, learning documents, and communication content.
- Document field learnings and best practices for programme improvement and scale-up.
1.5 Stakeholder Engagement
- Submit stakeholder engagement reports capturing meetings with UPSRLM, financial institutions, buyers, and other partners, including key decisions and follow-up actions.
- Submit reports on donor/government field visits, including visit plans, observations, and action points.
- Monthly Deliverables & Payment Milestones
DeliverableExpected OutputPayment MilestoneEnterprise & Federation Support ReportMonthly report covering enterprise support activities, field observations, capacity-building conducted, measurable progress in the deliverables and recommendations(upon approval)MIS Dashboard & Data AnalyticsUpdated MIS dashboard with enterprise performance, livelihood indicators, production data, and analytical summaryIncluded in monthly deliverableStrategic & Technical OutputsConcept notes, proposals, technical briefs, market assessments, or strategic recommendations as assigned during the monthIncluded in monthly deliverableKnowledge ProductsMinimum two knowledge product (case study, success story, technical brief, learning document, etc.) submitted during the monthIncluded in monthly deliverableStakeholder Engagement ReportMonthly report on stakeholder meetings, coordination activities, donor/government visits, and follow-up actionsIncluded in monthly deliverableConsolidated Monthly Progress ReportConsolidated report summarizing all deliverables, achievements, challenges, action taken, and work plan for the next monthMandatory for paymentQualifications and Experience
- Postgraduate degree in Rural Development, Development Studies, Social Work, Business Management, or a related field.
- A minimum of 8–10 years of professional experience, including substantial experience in rural livelihoods, SHG federation strengthening, or women's economic empowerment programmes.
- Demonstrated experience working with government livelihood missions (such as State Rural Livelihood Missions) or similar large-scale development programmes is desirable.
- Strong understanding of value chain interventions, enterprise development, financial inclusion, and market-linkage approaches for women-led producer groups.
- Exposure to fisheries or aquaculture-based livelihood interventions, such as biofloc fish farming, will be an added advantage.
- Strong analytical skills, with experience in MIS/dashboard development and data-driven performance monitoring.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with government officials, financial institutions, donors, and community-level women's institutions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Hindi.
Key Competencies
- Sound technical understanding of SHG federation systems, enterprise development, and rural livelihood diversification models.
- Strong commitment to gender-inclusive approaches and a clear understanding of the drivers of women's economic empowerment.
- Strong coordination, documentation, and reporting abilities.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining close coordination with project and strategy teams.
Pay: Up to ₹110,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
