ToR - Project Management Unit – Solarization of Women-led Livelihoods in Maharashtra (MAVIM–SELCO Foundation Short Duration Project)

About SELCO Foundation:

SELCO Foundation is an open-source, not-for-profit organization that engages in field-based R&D and ecosystem building for the deployment of clean energy solutions that alleviate poverty by improving access to sustainable energy to underserved communities in tribal, rural, and urban poor areas. The organization works in collaboration with practitioners in the social sector, energy entrepreneurs, NGOs from various developmental sectors, and educational institutions to link the benefits of sustainable energy to poverty eradication. The organization works across verticals such as energy access, health, and livelihoods. You can find more information about the SELCO Foundation on our website: http://www.selcofoundation.org/

Summary of the Project:

While access to decentralized renewable energy (DRE) can help nano/micro-entrepreneurs upscale, improve productivity, and increase income, its adoption remains sub-optimal due to limited awareness, lack of access to a supportive ecosystem, and high initial capital requirements.

SELCO Foundation is working with the Maharashtra Mahila Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) to co-design a short duration project aimed at solarizing the livelihoods of 1000 women nano/micro-entrepreneurs. These women, drawn from the network of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) supported by MAVIM, work in the streams of food processing, value-added food products, and non-food manufacturing through home-based or dedicated facility-based setups. Eligible entrepreneurs will be supported under this initiative through the installation of off-grid solar systems, across 5–6 districts of Maharashtra to be selected in consultation with MAVIM, over a 6-month duration.

A consultant (individual or organization) working as a Project Management Unit (PMU) is being onboarded by SELCO Foundation to lead field-level implementation of the project — from enterprise profiling and energy assessment, through mobilization, due diligence and shortlisting, to installation coordination and site validation.

Goals and Objectives:

The engagement's key objectives are:

• Facilitate the solarization of 1000 women-led nano/micro-enterprises drawn from MAVIM's SHG network, across 5–6 districts of Maharashtra.
• Assess energy requirements for enterprises based on their occupational profile.
• Mobilize and engage entrepreneurs from the longlist shared by MAVIM, and build a verified shortlist of eligible, willing participants through due diligence and documentation.
• Coordinate closely with MAVIM's district and sub-district cadre to ensure proper engagement and participation of women entrepreneurs throughout the project.
• Facilitate timely, quality installation of solar systems in coordination with the technology vendor and validate proper installation at each site.

Requirements

Agency/Individual should have experience in or capacity for:

• Project management and field-level implementation, specifically in livelihood and enterprise support.
• Field-based enterprise profiling, ideally within micro-enterprise/livelihood contexts (food processing, non-food manufacturing, or similar).
• Community mobilization and outreach, including working with women's Self-Help Group (SHG) networks.
• Conducting due diligence and basic documentation of prospective beneficiaries.
• Coordinating with government/semi-government bodies (such as MAVIM) at district and sub-district levels.
• Coordinating with technology vendors for timely and quality installation and validating site-level installation.
• Monitoring and documentation, including maintaining trackers and status reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for field- and stakeholder-level coordination.
• The PMU (agency/individual) will need to be based in or have a strong field presence across Maharashtra throughout the duration of the engagement.

Submission Requirements

Interested agencies/consultants are requested to submit:

• A detailed proposal outlining approach, methodology, and timelines for each phase of the scope of work.
• Team composition, roles, and CVs with relevant experience.
• Organizational profile.
• A financial quote with a breakdown of costs, split by phase/deliverable wherever possible.
• Examples of similar past projects, particularly involving SHG networks, livelihood programs, or energy access.

To Apply

Interested consultants/agencies, with relevant experience (please include samples and/or references of previous similar work as proof of experience) and based out of India, are requested to reach out with a detailed proposal giving a brief on the methodology and process to be adopted for this engagement, including budgets (with break-ups and explanation), timelines, and milestones, and submit the same via https://forms.gle/ntigMBJ8PDzNPSJ58 on or before 3rd October 2026 by 5 pm.

Any further queries may be sent to procurement@selcofoundation.org with the subject line: "PMU – Solarization of Women-led Livelihoods with MAVIM

Note: The application will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

To download the full ToR, click here: PMU – Solarization of Women-led Livelihoods with MAVIM