RFPs Invited for Consultant/Agency for Pilot Testing and Refinement of Developmental Screening and Criteria-Based Assessment Tools

Job Description

About the Organization

Since 1969, Mobile Creches (MC) has been a pioneer in promoting Early Childhood Development (ECD) among India's most marginalized communities. Through its integrated approach addressing health, nutrition, education, care, and community engagement, MC has reached over 870,000 children and supported more than 2,000 creche centres across 13 states and union territories. As part of its commitment to strengthening evidence-based programming, Mobile Creches has developed and is currently contextualizing two key tools to support frontline workers and program teams in monitoring children's developmental progress.

About the Role

Mobile Creches is seeking a consultant/agency to pilot test two developmental assessment tools — a Milestone Tracking and Developmental Screening Tool (for children under 3 years and 3–5 years) and a Criteria-Based Assessment Tool (for children aged 3–5 years) — before integrating them into routine program implementation. The assignment involves piloting the tools across diverse program settings to assess their feasibility, usability, clarity, and relevance to program monitoring and decision-making, and providing recommendations for refinement, appropriate use, training requirements, and integration into MC's monitoring and assessment systems. Purpose of the Assignment The purpose of the assignment is to pilot the assessment tools and provide recommendations for their refinement, appropriate use, training requirements, and integration into MC's monitoring and assessment systems. The pilot will specifically examine:

• Feasibility and usability – whether the tools are practical for frontline workers to administer within routine program settings, including the time, resources, and support required.
• Clarity and interpretation – whether items, instructions, response options, and scoring are understood consistently, and to identify areas of misinterpretation or administration difficulty.
• Appropriateness of tool components – whether all tools, domains, and items are necessary, including any duplication, gaps, or items that can be simplified, revised, or removed.
• Training requirements – the knowledge and skills required to administer, score, interpret, and use the tools, and the additional training, practice, job aids, or supportive supervision required.
• Monitoring and assessment frequency – which indicators should be included in routine MIS, monitored/reviewed biannually, or assessed annually.
• Future technical requirements – any areas requiring further validation or technical assessment before wider scale-up.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant/agency will undertake the following activities: A. Review and Assessment of the Tools

• Review the existing tools, instructions, scoring procedures, and related materials.
• Assess the tools from ECD and assessment methodology perspectives.
• Identify gaps, duplication, redundancy, or components requiring revision.

How to apply

• For more information, please check the link: RFPs Invited for Consultant/Agency for Pilot Testing and Refinement of Developmental Screening and Criteria-Based Assessment Tools

Organisation: Mobile Creches (MC)

Listed on the SAMS-STC social-sector RFP board.