BACKGROUND INFORMATION/RATIONALE

Relevant background

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is implementing results-based monitoring and evaluation (RBME) to measure key outcomes for women-led businesses in the Caribbean as part of the GRIT Project (Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Generating Resilient and Inclusive Trade). A comprehensive baseline survey has been completed, generating rich quantitative and qualitative data across multiple indicators and disaggregated groups. To ensure robust, timely, and actionable monitoring, the project requires a dynamic dashboard solution to visualize, track, and report on its performance indicators and metrics.

Contracting Authority

The contracting authority for this assignment is the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Beneficiary Countries

The primary beneficiaries under this project are the business support organisations and the private sector in the following CARIFORUM countries: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Target Groups

CARIFORUM private sector, business support organisations.

Overall Objective

To design, develop, and implement an interactive dashboard for project monitoring and reporting, and to build the internal capacity of project staff to maintain, update, and expand the dashboard independently.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

• Identify and select an appropriate platform in collaboration with the project team. This includes a thorough assessment of the current in-house tools and systems, evaluating compatibility, integration feasibility, and functional requirements. The selected platform should align with existing data workflows and enhance synergies with tools already in use within the organization.
• Design and develop a customized dashboard to visualize key performance indicators, baseline metrics, and results disaggregated by country, demographic group, and other relevant dimensions.
• Automate data management processes where possible, including data extraction, transformation, loading (ETL), and periodic updates to minimize manual data handling.
• Develop clear user documentation and guidelines to enable staff to update, adapt, and expand the dashboard independently.
• Strengthen the knowledge and skills of project staff through targeted, practical training covering dashboard maintenance, data modelling, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure a smooth transition and handover, including final testing, validation, and provision of technical support during the initial post-implementation period.

Purpose of consultancy and expected results

The purpose of this consultancy is to support Caribbean Export in designing and implementing an integrated, interactive, and user-friendly dashboard to effectively visualize, monitor, and report on project performance indicators and results. The consultancy will also strengthen the technical skills of Caribbean Export staff to ensure they can independently manage, update, and adapt the dashboard for ongoing monitoring, evidence-based decision-making, and stakeholder reporting.

The consultancy will result in the delivery of a fully functional dashboard that clearly displays the project’s key indicators and baseline metrics, with the ability to filter and drill down by country, sector, indigenous group, and other relevant dimensions. Project staff will be provided with clear user documentation and hands-on training to confidently maintain, refresh, and customize the dashboard as needed. All source files, data models, and administrative credentials will be transferred to Caribbean Export to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce dependence on external technical support. Ultimately, the project team will have a dynamic, accessible monitoring tool that builds internal capacity, supports results-based management, and strengthens reporting and communication with partners and stakeholders.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the direction and supervision of the Lead – Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting of Caribbean Exportand such other personnel who may be assigned, the Consultant Consultant/Expert will deliver the following services:

Specific Activities:

1. Dashboard Design & Development

• Review and analyse all baseline survey data, indicators, and reporting requirements.
• Recommend the most suitable data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau, among others.
• Design the architecture for a dashboard that:
• Visualizes baseline, midline, and endline indicator data.
• Enables disaggregation by country, age, business type, Indigenous group, disability status, or other relevant dimensions.
• Provides drill-down and interactive features for exploring trends and gaps.
• Includes key performance metrics, charts, maps, and custom visuals.
• Supports exporting and sharing of visuals for reporting to stakeholders and donors.
• Develop the data visualization dashboard using best practices in data modelling, security, and visual design.
• Connect the dashboard to relevant data sources (Excel, SharePoint, cloud storage, or databases as applicable) to allow for continuous updates.

1. Documentation & User Guide

• Develop a simple, practical user guide explaining:
• How to update data sources.
• How to refresh and publish the dashboard.
• How to create or adjust visuals and reports.

1. Staff Training & Capacity Building

• Deliver hands-on training sessions (virtual or in-person) for relevant staff (M&E, communications, programme officers).
• Training must cover:
• Basic dashboard concepts.
• How to upload, clean, and transform data.
• How to maintain and update the dashboard.
• How to create new reports and visualizations.
• How to interpret and present dashboard outputs for decision-making and reporting.
• Provide follow-up Q&A support for a defined period (e.g., 2 months) to ensure staff can confidently use and manage the dashboard.

1. Technical Support & Handover

• Conduct a final review and walkthrough of the full dashboard solution with the project team.
• Ensure full handover of files, datasets, source files, and admin access.
• Provide recommendations for future improvements or integration with other tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or donor reporting platforms).

1. Deliverables

• Fully functional dashboard with connected data sources.
• Custom visuals and reports for agreed indicators and metrics.
• User guide and technical documentation.
• Training plan and delivery (incl. materials).
• Post-training support for up to 2 months.
• Final handover package.

1. Timeline

• Total duration: 8 weeks
• Week 1–2: Requirements gathering & data review
• Week 3–4: Dashboard design & development
• Week 5: User guide & testing
• Week 6: Training sessions
• Week 7–9: Final adjustments, handover, and support

Reporting

The Consultant will work closely with the Lead – Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting and provide weekly progress updates.

Commencement date and period of implementation of tasks
The expected term for this consultancy is 5 months.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Software Engineering, Data Science or a related field.
• Certification in Data Visualisation or Business Intelligence Tools highly desired (PowerBI Data Analyst or Tableau Certified Data Analyst)

Expertise Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar capacity.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing dashboards such as Power BI or Tableau for M&E, international development, or donor-funded programmes.
• Strong data modelling and visualization skills.
• Experience in training staff in data visualization software and data storytelling.
• Familiarity with results-based management frameworks is an asset.
• Fluent in English.

Office Accommodation

Caribbean Export will provide a space in which the Consultant may work at the Headquarters office in Barbados.

SUBMISSION

Interested parties are kindly asked download the full terms of reference and to submit proposals, which must include at least 3 examples of data visualization dashboards created within the last 3 years, together with a quotation for services in USD.

Submission should be sent to Edna Simpson, Programme Officer, Partnerships, Advocacy and Reporting: esimpson@carib-export.com copied to: jlaryea@carib-export.com. The deadline for submission has been extended until Friday 22nd August at 11:59pm (AST).

Please note that the clarification document was updated on August 20, 2025.