SELCO Foundation has invited applications from individuals, teams and agencies for a two-month assignment on Behavioural Insights and Narrative Inquiry for its Climate Responsive Livelihood Programme in Meghalaya.
The assignment will explore the motivations, aspirations, beliefs, identities, social norms and lived experiences that influence livelihood choices and participation among communities in Meghalaya.
The opportunity is particularly relevant for organisations, consultants and research teams with expertise in behavioural science, qualitative and ethnographic research, narrative inquiry, human-centred research and community engagement.
Important: The application deadline is 19 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
About the Opportunity
SELCO Foundation’s Climate Responsive Livelihood (CRL) Programme seeks to strengthen livelihood resilience while helping communities adapt to a changing climate.
The programme recognises that livelihood decisions are influenced not only by access to resources, finance or information, but also by aspirations, social expectations, identity, perceived opportunities and community narratives.
Through this assignment, SELCO Foundation seeks to develop a grounded understanding of how different groups across Meghalaya perceive work, entrepreneurship, livelihoods, risk, climate, success and opportunity.
The findings will be used to develop a narrative framework that can support future programme mobilisation, community engagement and communication.
Scope of the Assignment
The selected agency, team or consultant will undertake an exploratory behavioural and narrative inquiry across selected districts of Meghalaya.
The research is expected to explore:
- Livelihood aspirations and motivations
- Perceptions of work and entrepreneurship
- Attitudes towards risk and opportunity
- Community beliefs and social norms
- Perceptions of climate change and livelihood resilience
- Factors influencing livelihood choices
- Lived experiences of potential programme participants
- Community narratives around success and opportunity
- Barriers and motivations affecting participation
- Social and behavioural factors influencing collective action
The assignment is not primarily intended to evaluate awareness or test communication materials. Instead, it seeks to understand deeper behavioural and social drivers that influence livelihood decisions and participation.
Expected Output
The findings are expected to inform a narrative architecture and mobilisation approach that can resonate authentically with communities across Meghalaya.
The work should provide insights that can help strengthen future programme design, engagement, mobilisation and communication.
Expected Area of Expertise
The selected agency, team or consultant should have demonstrated expertise in relevant areas such as:
- Behavioural science
- Qualitative research
- Ethnographic research
- Narrative inquiry
- Human-centred research
- Participatory research methods
- Community engagement
- Development-sector research
- Research involving government or community-based programmes
Experience working on complex social issues, development programmes or community-based initiatives will be relevant to the assignment.
Who Can Apply?
Interested individuals, teams and agencies with the required expertise and relevant experience can apply.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate appropriate experience in behavioural research, qualitative or ethnographic research, narrative inquiry, human-centred approaches and community engagement.
Organisations and consultants with experience in development or community-based programmes may be particularly relevant for this assignment.
Location – Meghalaya, India.
Duration Two months.
Application Deadline – 19 September 2026 Time: 5:00 PM
How to Apply
Interested individuals, teams and agencies should submit their application through the application form provided by SELCO Foundation.
Application Form:
https://forms.gle/TFE6Nc4djRBtrdN16
Applicants should review the complete Terms of Reference and ensure that their experience and proposed approach match the requirements before applying.
Submission Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide information including:
- Organisational or individual profile and relevant experience.
- Proposed approach explaining the understanding of the assignment and the proposed methodology.
- Relevant portfolio demonstrating previous work in development-sector research, complex social issues, narrative design, behavioural research or related areas.
- Financial proposal providing the proposed cost for completing the assignment.
Applicants should refer to the official Terms of Reference for the complete submission requirements.
Official Website
SELCO Foundation
Official Opportunity Page
Contact – SELCO Foundation -Email: procurement@selcofoundation.org
Phone: +91 80 26493145 / +91 99000 25660
Why This Opportunity May Be Relevant
This assignment provides an opportunity for research organisations, consultants and development-sector agencies to contribute to a climate-responsive livelihood programme through behavioural and narrative research.
The work combines behavioural science, community research, livelihood development and narrative inquiry. The resulting insights are intended to help understand how communities perceive livelihoods, entrepreneurship, climate, risk and opportunity and how these factors influence participation.
Organisations with experience in qualitative research, ethnography, behavioural insights, community engagement and development programmes may therefore find the assignment relevant.
Important Note
This is a Terms of Reference and consultancy/research opportunity, not a conventional grant programme.
Applicants should carefully review the official ToR, assess their relevant experience and ensure that they can meet the proposed scope of work and submission requirements.
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