Terms of Reference (ToR): Baseline Study Consultant

Project Title: GUARD – Gathering, Understanding, and Advocating for Rights and Dignity (EAPPI Phase II)

Location: Jerusalem Governorate

Duration: 2 Months

1. Background

The World Council of Churches (WCC), through the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), is launching Phase II of the GUARD project. The project aims to enhance the protection of vulnerable Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank by reducing forced displacement, ensuring freedom of worship, and strengthening international advocacy for accountability.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive baseline study. This study will establish the starting point for all project indicators outlined in the log frame, against which the project's progress and impact will be measured over its 36-month duration.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:
• Methodology Development: designing a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) to gather data on community vulnerability, incidence of human rights violations, and the current state of international advocacy engagement.
• Data Collection: conducting field research, surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions across targeted communities (e.g., Old City, Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah, E1 corridor, NW Villages).
• Data Analysis: analysing the collected data to establish clear baseline values for all Specific Objective (S.O.) and Output indicators.
• Reporting: producing a comprehensive baseline report detailing the findings, methodology, limitations, and baseline indicator matrix.

4. Key Deliverables

a. Inception Report: Detailing the proposed methodology, work plan, and data collection tools (due 2 weeks after contract signing).
b. Draft Baseline Report: For review and feedback by the project management team.
c. Final Baseline Report: Incorporating all feedback, including a finalized log frame: indicator matrix with baseline values.
d. Presentation of Findings: Presenting the key findings to the project team and relevant stakeholders.

5. Required Qualifications

a) Advanced university degree in social sciences, international development, human rights, or a related field.
b) Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in conducting baseline studies, evaluations, and human rights research in the Palestine/Israel context.
c) Strong understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
d) Proven experience with EU-funded project reporting and M&E standards.
e) Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).

6. Timeline and Payment Schedule

a) Timeline: The consultancy is expected to be completed within 2 months of the contract signing.
b) Payment: Payments will be made in instalments based on the successful submission and approval of the deliverables (e.g., 30% upon approval of the Inception Report, 70% upon approval of the Final Report).