Overview

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world. Operating internationally, WFD works with parliaments, political parties, and civil society groups as well as on elections to help make political systems fairer, more inclusive and more accountable.

We are a problem-solving, practitioner-led organisation that offers: 

• Specialist analysis, research, and advice to inform policy makers on a range of democratic governance issues;
• High quality and impactful programmes that directly support the full spectrum of institutions in political systems to develop inclusive political processes, more accountable political systems, protection of rights and freedoms, and more pluralistic societies; and 
• International elections observation on behalf of the UK. 

Aim of this Request for Proposals

WFD is issuing this Call for Experts (“Call”) to a range of potential experts and we would welcome a proposal from you or your organisation. This Call constitutes an formal Request for Quotes.

By way of this Call, WFD seeks to commission a national expert(s) (individual or small team) to undertake a context analysis and scoping of the political landscape in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). 

The analysis will provide insights into the current macro-level political dynamics as well as the institutional structures, actors, conversations and relationships that are shaping the future of democratic governance and political inclusion in the OPTs. It will seek to identify viable entry points and partnerships for potential future WFD programming in the OPTs.

Proposal submission

All proposals should be submitted in writing by close of business on Monday 27 January 2025, at 12 midnight (UK time), must comply with the requirements of this Call, and must include the information requested in the Proposal Requirements below. 

The proposal should be sent electronically and addressed to: Airlie Taylor, Regional Director, MENA, at Airlie.Taylor@wfd.org.

The same email address should be used for any questions related to this Call. 

WFD’s standard terms and conditions for tendering and key policies are found here, and WFD’s Code of Conduct is available here.

Terms of Reference

Objective

WFD has been working substantively in the MENA region since 2011 and currently implements programmes in Algeria, Morocco, Jordan and Lebanon as well as a regional initiative. Focus areas include: parliamentary strengthening; youth inclusion; accountability; women’s political leadership and gender equality; and climate/environmental democracy. 

WFD undertook research on the local elections in the West Bank in 2021 and 2022, but is not currently operational in OPTs. In the context of the ongoing/recent conflict between Hamas and Israel, the tentative ceasefire announced on 15 January 2025 (at the time of publication it is unclear whether or not the ceasefire will come into force as planned), and the political shifts that these may lead to, WFD seeks to commission a national expert(s) (individual or small team) to undertake a context analysis and scoping of the political landscape in OPTs. 

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to produce a comprehensive context analysis and scoping of the political landscape in OPTs. Specific objectives include:

• Assessing the current status of democratic governance and political inclusion in the West Bank.
• Identifying key national and sub-national institutional and non-institutional actors and their roles in relation to democratic governance and political inclusion.
• Providing insights into the current discussion around post-conflict recovery in Gaza.
• Mapping donor priorities and identifying funding opportunities. 
• Highlighting strategic opportunities for WFD to engage and establish partnerships.

Parts of assignment – for example, consultations with stakeholders – are envisaged to be undertaken jointly with a WFD staff member.

Scope of work

The assignment should focus on the following areas:

1. Macro-level political landscape:

• Identify areas of progress, areas of regression, threats to, and opportunities for strengthening, democratic governance and political inclusion in the OPTs.
• Provide insights into the current discussion around post-conflict recovery in Gaza and next steps, and analyse what this means for democratic governance in Gaza.

2. Actors and partnerships:

• Map and analyse the roles, influence and unmet support needs of key institutional actors (national and sub-national level) in relation to democratic governance and political inclusion.
• Map key non-institutional actors (with a focus on local/national NGOs and CSOs) working on issues relevant to WFD’s remit and expertise, including: political inclusion; institutional strengthening; women’s rights and gender equality; Women, Peace and Security (WPS); accountability and transparency; and environmental democracy.

3. Donors:

• Map key donors active in the OPTs and identify areas of synergy with WFD’s remit and expertise.
• Map donor-funded recent/active and upcoming/pipeline programmes in relation to democratic governance and political inclusion. 

4. Recommendations for engagement:

• Identify viable entry points for WFD programming.
• Propose strategies for effective partnerships with key institutional and non-institutional actors.

The expert(s) will be expected to propose a suitable methodology for the assignment; however, it is envisaged that this will include desk-based research as well as primary research (in-person and online consultations with stakeholders). 

Deliverables

The expert(s) is expected to produce the following deliverables, all in English:

• A detailed inception report outlining the methodology and work plan.
• A draft report aligned with the above scope of work.
• A final report addressing WFD’s feedback on the first draft.

Timeline

This assignment is expected to span a maximum of 22 working days, broken down as follows:

The expert(s) is free to propose revisions here based on their understanding of the TOR.

The following milestones are envisaged:

• Consultancy start date: February 10, 2025.
• Submission of draft report: March 16, 2025.
• Submission of final report: March 28, 2025.

Reporting

The expert(s) will be expected to attend regular online check-ins with WFD, the frequency and content of which will be agreed at the start of the assignment. 

Working arrangements

The assignment will involve in-person discussions with stakeholders in the OPTs (West Bank only due to constraints in accessing Gaza), as well as online consultations. It is envisaged that the expert(s) will be from/reside in the West Bank to ensure both contextual knowledge and accessibility. The expert(s) is expected to utilise their own equipment (laptop) for the assignment.  

Payments

The selected expert(s) will be awarded a contract based on the submitted financial proposal. Unless agreed otherwise, payment will be made in full within 30 days of submission of an invoice and timesheet, plus any applicable receipts for agreed expenses, and contingent upon the satisfactory completion and acceptance by WFD of all agreed deliverables. 

Required experience and expertise

The ideal candidate(s) will have:

• Proven expertise in conducting context analysis of political environments, or similar research.
• In-depth knowledge of the political system, governance, and institutional structures in the OPTs.
• An existing network of contacts in the governance space and thematic areas relevant to WFD’s remit, including institutional stakeholders, I/NGOs, CSOs, and donors.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a record of producing high-quality reports.
• Professional level proficiency in written and spoken English and Arabic.

They will also ideally be from/reside in the OPTs to ensure contextual knowledge and accessibility.

Proposal process

Timescale

Below is the proposed timescale for this Call. Please note the dates are indicative and subject to change. 

Proposal requirements

In general, the proposal should include the following: 

1. Profile.
2. Proposed solution and how it meets the specification (scope and deliverables).  
3. Financial proposal. 
4. References.

Individual profile  

• If the expert(s) is currently registered with WFD’s Expert Roster, the expert should refer to this in the proposal and no further information is required. 
• If the expert is not currently registered with the Expert Roster, the expert should provide a C.V. or information in the proposal document including: 

1. A summary of their professional biography and relevant career history/record of assignments; and  
2. Case studies/credentials demonstrating relevant experience and skills profile.

Proposed solution

• Clear explanation as to the proposed approach to meeting the specification set out in this Call.  
• Detailed project plan, including timelines, assumptions and dependencies, resourcing, and risks.      

Financial proposal

• Full breakdown time and cost estimates for the proposed solution in GBP or USD, including any daily rate to be applied. 
• Separate accounting of VAT and/or any other applicable tax, duty, or charge.  
• Detailing of any discount applied in view of WFD’s not-for-profit status.   

References

• If the expert is currently registered with WFD’s Expert Roster, the expert should refer to this in the proposal and no further information is required. 
• If the expert is not currently registered with WFD’s Expert Roster, the expert should include details of at least three references relating to similar expert services provided in the last three years. 

Queries about this Call

Any questions related to this Call should be addressed to Airlie Taylor, Regional Director, MENA, at Airlie.Taylor@wfd.org.

Equal Information

Should any potential expert raise a question that is of general interest, WFD reserves the right to circulate both question and answer to other respondents, either via WFD’s website or by email. In this event, anonymity will be maintained.

Annual reports

If you operate a personal services company, please provide a link or copy of your company’s latest audited annual accounts with the proposal.

Other information

If the potential expert believes that there is additional information that has not been requested in the Call but is relevant to your proposal, please include that information as a separate attachment and explain its relevance to this Call.