National Rural Livelihoods Mission
Terms of Reference for
Empanelment of Resource Persons for M&E, MIS and Financial
Inclusion
Background
1.
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has been
implementing National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) since 2011. The key
thrust of NRLM is rural poverty reduction through the creation and strengthening
of institutional platforms of the rural poor. The NRLM provides a combination of
financial resources and technical assistance to the States and Union Territories
to facilitate implementation of a comprehensive livelihoods approach that
encompasses the following inter-linked tasks: (a) mobilization of all rural poor
households into effective Self Help Groups (SHGs), SHG federations and other
organizations; (b) enhancing access to financial, technical and marketing
services; (c) building capacities and skills for gainful and sustainable livelihoods;
and finally (d) improving the inclusive delivery of social and economic support
services to the poor. The cost of the centrally sponsored NRLM is financed by the
Center and the States in the ratio of 75:25, while in the case of north-eastern
states in Jammu & Kashmir, the ratio is 90:10. In order to augment the
resources for the Mission in 13 high poverty states which account for 85% of the
poverty population in the country, the Government of India (GOI) has obtained a
credit of $500 Million from the World Bank. This part of the NRLM is known as
National Rural Livelihoods Project (NRLP).
2.
In order to achieve the objectives of the Mission, a dedicated multi-level
implementation structure has been created. This structure includes the National
Mission Management Unit (NMMU) at the center and State Mission Management
Unit (SMMU) at the state, the District Mission Management Unit (DMMU) at the
district and Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) at the block levels. The
Mission’s mandate is to cover seven crore (70,000,000) poor rural households,
across more than 640 districts, 6,000 blocks, 250,000 Gram Panchayats and
600,000 villages in the country through self-managed Self Help Groups and their
federations, and support them for livelihoods collectives over a period of eight to
ten years.
MIS, Monitoring and Evaluation Studies
3.
The Mission has provides for a comprehensive MIS, monitoring, learning
and evaluation (MLE) system to support implementation and measure the
Mission induced changes in the livelihoods and well-being of the poor. Though
both the NMMU and the SMMUs are responsible for implementing MIS,
monitoring and evaluation, the State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) are
primarily responsible for operationalizing the MIS and M&E components through
external agencies. All SRLMs are required to: (i) get a comprehensive MIS
designed and developed by external agencies; (ii) commission external agencies
to undertake impact evaluation studies covering baseline and follow-up studies
as well as qualitative studies on thematic areas; (iii) commission process
monitoring studies through external agencies; and (iv) institute community
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monitoring and evaluation practices with the technical support of external
agencies.
Financial Inclusion
4. Financial Inclusion: All SRLMs are required to focus on the Financial Inclusion
activities including promotion of financial literacy, SHG-Bank linkage and
implementation of Interest Subvention component.
Expertise Required
5.
To conceptualize and determine different dimensions of these studies and
support SRLMs in effective management of the contracts, the SRLMs require
support of several technical experts. In view of the diverse types of expertise
required, it has been decided by the National Mission Management to empanel a
national pool of resource persons whose services could be used by the SRLMs as
and when required as per the terms and conditions inforce at SRLMs/NMMU,
MORD. More specifically, the SRLMs would require the following technical
support from individual resource persons to manage the portfolio of M&E and
MIS activities.
(1)
Sampling
Experts:
To advise the SRLMs on all aspects of sampling of
proposed
studies-sampling
methods,
size
and
distribution of sample, power calculations; and to
scrutinize the sampling plans of external agencies as
well as their draft and final reports based on sample
studies and inferences drawn from them.
(2)
Evaluation
Experts:
(i) to support SRLMs in the preparation of EOIs and
TORs of impact evaluation studies; (ii) to advise on
design and methodology of studies, scrutinize study
tools; (iii) support training of field teams and provide
oversight of field work; (iv) suggest appropriate
statistical analysis of data and table formats and
report templates; (v) comment on draft and final
reports of studies, participate in dissemination
workshops; and (vi) examine poverty estimates and
livelihood assessments made etc.
(3)
Qualitative/
Thematic Study
Experts:
(i) to support SRLMs in preparation of EOIs and TORs
of qualitative/thematic studies; (ii) advise on design
and methodology of studies and study tools; (iii)
support training of field teams, provide oversight of
field work; (iv) suggest appropriate qualitative
analysis of data and table formats; (v) comment on
draft and final reports of studies in different areas
(Social Inclusion, IB, Livelihoods, Social Development
etc.,)
(4)
Financial
Inclusion
Experts:
(i) to support SRLMs in the design of financial inclusion
studies; (ii) undertake studies on SHG bank linkage
and interest subvention; and (iii) undertake SHG bank
linkage related activities.
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(5)
Process
Monitoring/
Community
Monitoring and
Evaluation
Experts:
(6)
Documentation
Specialists:
(7)
MIS Experts:
(i) to support SRLMs in the design of methods and
tools for process monitoring and community
monitoring and evaluation; (ii) preparation and
evaluation of EOIs, TORs and technical proposals; (iii)
provide oversight for the studies; (iv) suggest
institution of community monitoring and evaluation
practices and social audit; and (v) prepare manuals in
community monitoring and evaluation and train
Mission staff and community cadre.
Identify and document case studies, best practices
and innovations and train key staff in documentation.
(i) to support SRLMs in the identification of
requirements, design of EOIs and TORs, evaluation of
EOIs and technical proposals; (ii) comment on URD
and SRD; (iii) software features, functionality,
scalability,
inter-operability,
suggest
potential
analytics, support rollout and contract management;
and (iv) support adoption of MIS implemented in other
states.
Qualifications of Resource Persons
6.
Resource persons possessing the educational qualifications, specialization
and a minimum intensive experience of 10 years in the relevant area will be
considered for empanelment, after necessary assessment. Based on the current
and future requirements of the SRLMs, services of the resource persons with the
following qualifications and experience are required on need basis.
S.
No.
1.
Resource
Persons
Required
Sampling

Experts
2.
Evaluation
Experts

3.
Qualitative/

Minimum
Qualifications and
Experience
Ph.D. in Statistics/

Econometrics/ Rural
Management from a
reputed university with
more than 15 years of
experience in providing
sampling support for
large development
projects
Ph.D./P.G. in

Economics/
Econometrics/ Rural
Mgmt/ Statistics/
Development Studies 
from a reputed
university with more 
than 15 years of
intense experience in
large projects
Ph.D./P.G. in

Specialization
Sampling and estimation.
Design of methods and tools
for large scale field survey
based rural development /
poverty/ livelihood studies;
Advanced statistical/
econometric analysis of data;
Poverty estimation, livelihood
assessment etc.,
Design and conduct of
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S.
No.
Resource
Persons
Required
Thematic Study
Experts


4.
Financial
Inclusion
Experts
5.
Process

Monitoring/
Community
Monitoring and
Evaluation
Experts
6.
Documentation 
Specialists
7.
MIS Experts

Minimum
Qualifications and
Experience
Economics/
Econometrics/ Rural
Mgmt/ Statistics/
Development Studies
from a reputed
university with 10 – 15
years of experience
Graduate/Post

Graduate from a
reputed university with
more than 15 years of
experience in banking
sector
Ph.D./P.G. in Social 
Sciences/ Rural
Management from a
reputed university with
5- 10 years of

experience
Ph.D./P.G. in any social

science/humanities
from a reputed
university with 5- 10
years of experience
M.Tech/ B.Tech/ MCA/ 
MS / B.E. in Computer
Science/ Applications
from a reputed
university with 5-10/
10-15 years of live
experience in design
and development of 
MIS
Specialization
qualitative studies and
thematic studies in the areas
of social inclusion, institution
building, financial inclusion,
livelihoods promotion, social
development.
Ex-bankers with experience
in rural banking.
Design of methods and tools
for process monitoring of
community driven
development projects;
Design and conduct of
participatory monitoring,
community self-monitoring
and social audit.
Documentation of case
studies, best practices and
innovations.
Design and development of
MIS for large community/
social development projects/
transaction based MIS;
rollout and maintenance of
MIS; Design of MIS analytics
and dashboards.
Other Criteria
7.
The resource persons interested in the assignment must:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
possess proven documentation/reporting skills in English;
have higher order computer skills;
be willing to undertake field travel in different states;
be willing to participate in orientation/technical workshops and
capacity building sessions; and
(v) be convergent with regional languages
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Categorization of Resource Persons
8. Eligible applicants with more than 15 years of relevant experience will be
empanelled under category –“A”, those with 10-15 of relevant experience under
category –“B” and those with 5-10 years under category –“C”.
How to Apply
9.
The interested persons may send their latest CVs, clearly indicating their
educational qualifications, experience and expertise as well as options for
different states and Union Territories.
Empanelment Processes
10.
A consultant selection committee appointed by the Mission Director, NRLM
and headed by him and comprising three other members will undertake an
assessment of the CVs and recommend resource persons for empanelment
under different areas. For the purpose of evaluation of CVs the committee will
develop sub-criteria as required. The committee may also hold an interview the
shortlisted candidates if necessary, before selecting the final list for
empanelment. Based on the qualification and experience, the resource persons
will be grouped into three categories i.e. A, B, C in line with the Retainer
Consultant Policy of NRLM, MORD. The final approved panel of resource persons
will be placed on the NRLM website.
Remuneration and Travel Cost
11.
The SRLMs will access the services of empanelled resource persons as and
when required. SRLM will pay remuneration as per their own approved rates. If
there is no fixed rate approved, SRLMs will call for financial proposal from at
least three empanelled consultants following NRLM procurement guidelines
applicable for selection of “Individual Consultants” and fix the remuneration
rates accordingly. Further, SRLM will negotiate terms and conditions,
deliverables, time lines etc., with the identified consultants and make payment
of honorarium and reimburse travel and other incidental costs on actual basis as
per the rates approved. The same principle will be applicable for experts
empanelled by NIRD and any of the NROs. The services of the experts
empanelled by NIRD can also be used by NMMU or any of the SRLMs.
Email for Communication
12.
Expression of Interest in the suggested format along with a copy of the
latest CV (along with two references and full contract details) and two samples
of latest work that best illustrates the capabilities and expertise of the applicant,
addressed to the Mission Director, NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development,
Government of India, 6th Floor, Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri, Kautilya Marg, New
Delhi-110021 should be sent only by e-mail to: nmmuprocurement@gmail.com
latest by 16th March 2015 till 5.30 PM.
***
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