Research, M&E and Documentation Consultants

Organisation: Development Wala
Engagement Type: Project-based / Consultancy
Experience Required: Minimum 4–5 years
Work Mode: Remote, with field visits where required
Location: Across India
Remuneration: Project-based, mutually agreed depending on the scope of work and expertise

About Development Wala

Development Wala is a purpose-driven platform working to strengthen the social and development sector by connecting professionals, organisations and opportunities. We work with NGOs, nonprofits, social enterprises, CSR initiatives and other development organisations to provide professional support and strengthen their institutional capabilities.

We are now building our Research, MEL, M&E and Documentation vertical to support organisations in generating evidence, measuring impact, documenting learnings and improving programme effectiveness.

We are looking to collaborate with experienced independent consultants and subject matter experts who can contribute to diverse projects across the development sector.

About the Opportunity

We invite applications from professionals with expertise in research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), impact assessment, documentation and related fields.

Selected consultants will be empanelled with Development Wala and engaged on a project basis, depending on their expertise, availability and the requirements of our partner organisations.

This opportunity is suitable for independent consultants, researchers, MEL specialists, development professionals and subject matter experts who have experience delivering high-quality assignments for NGOs, CSR programmes, foundations, government initiatives or international development organisations.

Key Areas of Expertise

We are particularly interested in consultants with experience in one or more of the following areas.

1. Research and Evidence Generation

• Qualitative and quantitative research design and implementation

• Literature reviews, desk research and secondary data analysis

• Primary data collection, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and case studies

• Baseline, midline and endline studies

• Needs assessments, feasibility studies and situational analyses

• Policy research, thematic research and evidence synthesis

2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL / M&E)

• Designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks

• Developing logical frameworks, theories of change and results frameworks

• Designing indicators, data collection tools and measurement systems

• Baseline and endline evaluations, process evaluations and outcome assessments

• Impact assessments and outcome measurement

• Data analysis, interpretation and evidence-based recommendations

• Learning reviews and adaptive programme management

3. Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Programme reports, research reports and evaluation reports

• Case studies, success stories and impact narratives

• Best practices, lessons learnt and field documentation

• Knowledge products, policy briefs and working papers

• Annual reports, donor reports and project completion reports

• Training manuals, toolkits and implementation guides

• Editing, synthesis and presentation of complex findings for different audiences

4. Impact Assessment and Development Consulting

• Social impact assessments and CSR project evaluations

• Outcome harvesting and contribution analysis

• Theory of Change development and validation

• Participatory assessments and community-based research

• Social Return on Investment (SROI), where relevant

• Programme design, review and strategic recommendations

5. Data Analysis and Visualisation

• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis

• Data cleaning, interpretation and visualisation

• Working with Excel, SPSS, Stata, R, Power BI, NVivo or similar tools

• Developing dashboards and presenting findings through clear visual formats

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the assignment, consultants may be expected to:

• Understand project objectives, organisational requirements and expected deliverables.

• Develop research methodologies, evaluation frameworks, tools and work plans.

• Conduct desk reviews, field research, stakeholder consultations and data collection.

• Analyse findings and translate them into practical, evidence-based recommendations.

• Prepare high-quality reports, case studies, presentations and other knowledge products.

• Work collaboratively with Development Wala and partner organisations.

• Ensure research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and responsible data management.

• Deliver assignments within agreed timelines and quality standards.

• Incorporate feedback and revise deliverables where required under the agreed scope of work.

Eligibility and Experience

Applicants should have:

• A minimum of 4–5 years of relevant professional experience in research, MEL, M&E, impact assessment, documentation or development consulting.

• A postgraduate degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Public Health or a relevant discipline.

• Demonstrated experience in delivering research studies, evaluations, reports or similar assignments.

• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.

• The ability to work independently, manage deadlines and deliver outputs to a high professional standard.

• Experience working with NGOs, CSR programmes, foundations, government projects or development organisations.

A strong portfolio of completed assignments, published research, evaluation reports or documentation products will be an advantage.

Engagement Model

This is a project-based consultancy opportunity, not a full-time employment position.

• Consultants will be empanelled based on their expertise and relevant experience.

• Project opportunities will be shared according to client requirements and consultant suitability.

• Each assignment will have a defined scope of work, deliverables, timeline and agreed professional fee.

• Consultants may work remotely, with field visits or stakeholder meetings required for specific assignments.

• There is no guarantee of continuous work or a minimum number of assignments.

What We Are Looking For

We value professionals who combine technical expertise with an understanding of development realities. We are particularly interested in consultants who can produce rigorous research, clear and accessible documentation, credible evidence of programme outcomes and practical recommendations that organisations can use.

For queries, contact: developmentwalaofficial@gmail.com

Join Development Wala’s network of consultants and contribute to stronger research, credible evidence and meaningful impact across the social sector.