<div><b>Terms of Reference (ToR)</b></div><div><b>Development of a Standardized, Localized Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) System and Tools for the SFCG Palestine Programme</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Context</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to ending violent conflict and building just, inclusive, and healthy societies. Through collaborative, adaptive, and locally-led approaches, Search empowers communities to co-create constructive and sustainable solutions to shared challenges. Headquartered in Washington, DC, and Brussels, Search currently works in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Search in Palestine</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Since 2017, Search has been operating in the Palestinian Territories, partnering with communities and institutions to address social fragmentation and conflict through inclusive dialogue, civic engagement, and collaborative problem-solving. Within the broader context of occupation, political division, and cycles of violence, our programming focuses on fostering social cohesion, rebuilding trust between communities and decision-makers, and expanding the meaningful participation of youth, women, and other historically marginalised groups in peacebuilding and governance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Search Palestine works in close collaboration with civil society organisations, community-based initiatives, media actors, and government and non-government stakeholders across the West Bank and Gaza. Our work is grounded in the values of non-adversarial engagement, gender sensitivity, and a commitment to amplifying the voices and agency of those most impacted by conflict and exclusion.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Assignment</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This consultancy is part of our global programme, From Grassroots to Global: Empowering Communities in Peacebuilding Policy (2024–2031), supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme aims to strengthen locally-led peacebuilding efforts in four fragile and conflict-affected contexts: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian Territories.</div><div>In Palestine, the programme elevates the role of grassroots peacebuilders in shaping multi-level peace and policy processes through community-driven advocacy, inclusive knowledge generation, and participatory engagement. It responds to the complex operating environment of occupation, fragmented governance, and shrinking civic space by supporting Palestinian civil society in adopting grounded, collaborative, and data-informed approaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>A core component of this initiative is the co-development of a comprehensive and context-specific Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system. This system will serve as a shared, practical framework for partners and Search staff to collect and interpret evidence, track change, strengthen programming, and foster continuous learning. It will also support documenting local priorities, amplifying grassroots narratives, and capturing non-linear peacebuilding outcomes such as trust-building, civic participation, and influence in formal and informal policy arenas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The MEAL system will be developed through a participatory process, co-led by Search staff, implementing partners, and key stakeholders. It will include the co-refinement of programme indicators—both those defined at the global level and those identified through local priorities and the Grounded Accountability Model (GAM).</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, the consultant will support capacity strengthening for partner organisations through collaborative training and reflective sessions. These will equip local actors to use the MEAL tools confidently and critically for learning, adaptation, and accountability to the communities they serve.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Objectives of the Consultancy</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The overall goal of this consultancy is to cultivate a sustainable, evidence-based learning culture among Search Palestine and its local partners through a robust, locally grounded MEAL system.</div><div><br /></div><h3>Specific objectives include:</h3><ul><li>Facilitate at least 3–4 participatory sessions with Search staff and partners to develop or refine programme indicators, including those that are community-defined, qualitative, and advocacy-related;</li><li>Design a comprehensive MEAL system aligned with the programme’s Theory of Change and Search’s global MEAL framework, integrating the 3 Pillars of Search’s Peace Impact Framework.</li><li>Develop a toolkit of 5–7 standardized MEAL tools, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and reporting templates that are accessible and usable by grassroots actors with varying technical capacities;</li><li>Deliver two interactive capacity-strengthening workshops (each 1–2 days) for partners, centering local ownership and enhancing skills in capturing impact, applying adaptive learning, and informing programme improvement.</li></ul><h3>Geographic Locations</h3><ul><li>The consultancy will be based in the Palestinian Territories. While remote work is possible, in-person presence is encouraged—especially in locations such as Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron—for workshops, consultations, and capacity-building engagements with local partners.</li></ul><h3>Logistical Support</h3><ul><li>Search will provide all relevant documentation, including the programme MEAL framework, baseline reports, draft tools, organizational standards, methodologies, existing templates and tools, and any other necessary resources. We will also coordinate introductions with implementing partners and assist in organising in-person sessions, where feasible. Search Team will also provide orientation on PIF and its Pillar to the consultant to help build their understanding and skills related to it. </li></ul><h3>Timeline and Key Deliverables</h3><ul><li>The consultancy is expected to take place over four months. A detailed work plan with deliverable deadlines will be agreed upon between the consultant and Search at the outset.</li></ul><h3>Expected Deliverables:</h3><ul><li>Inception report with methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement strategy;</li><li>Participatory consultation sessions with Search staff and partners to shape MEAL design and indicators;</li><li>Draft MEAL framework and indicator matrix adapted to the Palestinian context and aligned with both the local Theory of Change and global framework;</li><li>Standardised MEAL tools, including qualitative and quantitative templates, are accessible for grassroots implementation.</li><li>Organize a Grounded Accountability Model (GAM) workshop among community people to facilitate the co-creation of localized indicators of peace.  Search will train the consultant on the concept and process of GAM once onboard.</li><li>Facilitation of at least one validation workshop with partners to ensure ownership of tools and indicators;</li><li>Delivery of two capacity-building sessions for partners to operationalise the MEAL system;</li><li>Work with Country Team and partners to collect and analyse field data, as well as generate a variety of reports and other data visualization products as needed. </li><li>Organize at least one project reflection meeting and develop an Outcome Reflection Log.</li><li>A finalised MEAL framework and user manual, integrating feedback;</li><li>A final consultancy report outlining the process, developed tools, key learnings, and recommendations for sustainability and reflection.</li></ul><h3>Proposed Timeline: MEAL Consultancy (September–November 2025)</h3><ul><li><b>September 2025</b></li><li>Consultant onboarding and orientation</li><li>Submission of inception report (including methodology and work plan)</li><li>Participatory consultation sessions with Search staff and partners</li><li>Drafting of the indicator matrix and the MEAL framework</li><div><br /></div><li><b>October 2025</b></li><li>Continued development and refinement of the MEAL framework and    tools</li><li>Facilitation of a Grounded Accountability Model (GAM) workshop</li><li>Validation workshop with partners</li><li>Finalization of standardized MEAL tools</li><div><br /></div><li><b>November 2025</b></li><li>Delivery of two capacity-strengthening workshops</li><li>Support for data collection and reflection activities with partners</li><li>Development of Outcome Reflection Log</li><li>Submission of the final MEAL framework, user manual, and consultancy report</li></ul><h3>Budget</h3><ul><li>Please ensure that the financial proposal for these services comprises all applicable fees, taxes, and expenses in the final amounts.</li></ul><h3>Requirements of the Consultant (The ideal consultant will demonstrate):</h3><ul><li>Proven experience designing MEAL systems in fragile/conflict-affected settings;</li><li>Experience in participatory indicator development and advocacy-related monitoring;</li><li>Knowledge of Palestinian peacebuilding, governance, or civil society dynamics;</li><li>Skills in facilitating mutual learning and reflective workshops with local partners;</li><li>Familiarity with Search’s adaptive learning approach and participatory methodologies is an asset.</li><li>A commitment to producing usable, context-sensitive MEAL tools that support both upward accountability and local relevance.</li></ul><div><b>Ethical and Professional Standards</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The consultant will uphold Search’s ethical principles, including informed consent, data protection, and sensitivity to gender, age, power, and context. The consultant must demonstrate a strong commitment to local ownership, do-no-harm practices, and inclusive, respectful engagement at all stages of the process. Considering the highly sensitive context on the ground, the consultant team should clearly outline the context-specific conflict sensitivity framework for data collection and dissemination.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Application Process</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Interested applicants should submit:</div><div><br /></div><div>1.  A technical proposal (max 10 pages) outlining methodology, timeline, and team composition, clearly reflecting the values and approach outlined in this ToR;</div><div><br /></div><div>2.  A financial proposal with budget breakdowns;</div><div><br /></div><div>3.  At least two examples of previous relevant work, particularly in peacebuilding and/or multistakeholder contexts in Palestine;</div><div><br /></div><div>4.  CVs of all proposed team members.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The deadline for submission is 30\08\2025</b></div><div><br /></div>