MEAL Consultant
Terms of Reference (ToR)
Development of a Standardized, Localized Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) System and Tools for the SFCG Palestine Programme
Context
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.
Search in Palestine
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.
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.
The Assignment
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Objectives of the Consultancy
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.
Ethical and Professional Standards
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.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit:
1. A technical proposal (max 10 pages) outlining methodology, timeline, and team composition, clearly reflecting the values and approach outlined in this ToR;
2. A financial proposal with budget breakdowns;
3. At least two examples of previous relevant work, particularly in peacebuilding and/or multistakeholder contexts in Palestine;
4. CVs of all proposed team members.
The deadline for submission is 20\08\2025