4.1 Overall Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to assess the organizational capacities of 42 local civil society organizations (CSOs) supported under the project and to develop tailored capacity development plans responding to the identified strengths, gaps, and priorities at both the individual organizational level and the portfolio level.

The consultancy is expected to contribute to strengthening the institutional resilience, operational effectiveness, sustainability, and compliance capacities of local organizations operating in Israel and Palestine in a complex and rapidly evolving environment.

4.2 Specific Objectives

The consultancy shall pursue the following specific objectives:

1. Develop and/or adapt organizational capacity assessment tools and methodologies suitable for the operational, political, and organizational context of local civil society organizations in Israel and Palestine;
2. Conduct Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCAs) for 42 local organizations through a participatory and context-sensitive methodology;
3. Identify organizational strengths, weaknesses, risks, and priority capacity gaps across key functional areas;
4. Develop tailored capacity development plans for each assessed organization, including prioritized recommendations and proposed support modalities;
5. Develop a consolidated portfolio-level capacity development plan identifying common trends, overlapping needs, and opportunities for collective capacity strengthening initiatives, including group trainings, peer learning, mentoring, communities of practice, and other joint support mechanisms;
6. Provide Expertise France with strategic recommendations regarding the prioritization, sequencing, and delivery modalities of future capacity development support under the project.

4.3 Scope of the Assessment

The assessment framework should cover, at minimum, the following organizational dimensions:

• Governance and strategic leadership;
• Financial management and internal controls;
• Procurement and compliance systems;
• Human resources management;
• Safeguarding and accountability mechanisms;
• Project management and operational systems;

The consultant/the Consultant firm may propose additional assessment areas deemed relevant to the operational context and profile of the organizations.

The consultancy shall target all CSOs funded under the project; these are local organizations registered and/or active in the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, and Israel.

4.4 Methodology

The consultant shall propose a detailed methodology for the assignment. The methodology is expected to combine qualitative and participatory approaches, including:

• Review and adaptation of existing organizational assessment tools where relevant;
• Desk review of relevant project and organizational documentation;
• Review of organizational policies, procedures, and systems;
• Interviews and consultations with leadership, staff members, and where relevant board members;
• Organizational self-assessment exercises;
• Validation sessions with participating organizations;
• Comparative and cross-cutting analysis across organizations.

The methodology should ensure:

• Confidentiality and ethical handling of information;
• Conflict-sensitive and context-sensitive approaches;
• Participatory engagement with organizations;
• Practical and action-oriented recommendations.

The consultant is expected to adapt the assessment methodology and tools in consultation with Expertise France prior to implementation.

4.5 Expected Deliverables

The consultant shall deliver the following:

Deliverable 1 – Inception Report

An inception report including:

• Detailed methodology;
• Workplan and timeline;
• Proposed/adapted assessment framework and tools;
• Data collection methods;
• Stakeholder engagement approach.

Deliverable 2 – Organizational Capacity Assessment Reports

A separate assessment report for each of the 42 organizations, including:

• Organizational profile;
• Summary of findings;
• Analysis of strengths and capacity gaps;
• Risk analysis;
• Priority recommendations

Deliverable 3 – Individual Capacity Development Plans

A tailored capacity development plan for each organization, including:

• Priority capacity strengthening objectives;
• Recommended activities and modalities;
• Indicative timeline;
• Suggested sequencing and prioritization;
• Proposed indicators of progress.

Deliverable 4 – Portfolio-Level Capacity Development Plan

A consolidated portfolio-level plan synthesizing:

• Common strengths and weaknesses across organizations;
• Cross-cutting trends and systemic constraints;
• Overlapping capacity development needs;
• Recommendations for group-based capacity strengthening activities and collective learning approaches;
• Recommendations regarding prioritization and sequencing of support activities.

Deliverable 5 – Final Consolidated Analytical Report and Presentation

A final report and presentation summarizing:

• Key assessment findings;
• Major organizational and portfolio-level trends;
• Strategic recommendations for Expertise France;
• Proposed implementation considerations for future capacity development support.

The consultancy is expected to start mid September and be completed within approximately 6 weeks.

The indicative timeline is expected to include:

• Inception phase;
• Data collection and organizational assessments;
• Draft reporting and validation;
• Finalization of reports and capacity development plans.

The consultant is expected to propose a realistic implementation schedule in the technical proposal.