Gaza Public Pulse Initiative

Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Contracting of a Consultant/Researcher to Design and Lead the Implementation of the “Community Views, Perceptions and Recommendations Monitoring System and the Analysis of Social Dynamics in the Local Context”

Deadline for submitting proposals is 9 August 2026.

1. Background

The Gaza Strip continues to experience unprecedented social, economic, educational, health-related, and environmental pressures resulting from the ongoing aggression, displacement, the destruction of infrastructure, the disruption of basic services, and the erosion of community support systems. Collectively, these challenges have significantly affected social cohesion, community trust, civic participation, and the ability of different segments of society to effectively express their priorities and needs for resilience and recovery.

Within this context, the Community Development and Media Center (CDMC) is implementing the “Gaza Public Pulse” Initiative, an integrated community engagement and social cohesion program designed to strengthen community resilience, amplify local voices, and Support evidence-informed adaptive programming based on community perception. As a core component of the Initiative, the project establishes a system for monitoring community views, perceptions, and recommendations, alongside the analysis of social dynamics and context sensitivity in relation to the realities on the ground across the thematic areas under study.

Accordingly, CDMC seeks to contract a qualified consultant/researcher to lead the design, operationalization, and management of the Community Views, perceptions and recommendations monitoring system and the analysis of social dynamics in the local context during the initiative’s first implementation phase, This foundational phase, scheduled for August–September 2026, will establish the system and analytical framework that will be continuously applied and further refined throughout the remainder of the project until its completion in December 2026.

2. Overall Objective of the Assignment

To design, establish and manage the “Community views, Perceptions and Recommendations Support System and the Analysis of Social Dynamics in the Local Context” across the targeted communities in the northern and southern of the Gaza Strip, thereby providing a reliable evidence base to support adaptive and conflict-sensitive programming throughout the project life cycle.

3. Scope of Work and Required Tasks

First: Community Opinions, Perceptions and Recommendations Monitoring System – the consultant’s scope of work under this phase includes the following tasks:

Second: Analysis of Social Dynamics in the Local Context – the consultant’s scope of work under this phase includes the following tasks:

4. Proposed Methodology

The consultant is expected to adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to ensure the generation of robust, reliable, and context-sensitive evidence, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Community surveys to monitor community views, perceptions, and recommendations,
• Focus group discussions (FGDs) with diverse community groups including women, youth, displaced persons, persons with disabilities.
• Key informant interviews (KIIs) with community and institutional stakeholders.
• Stakeholder mapping and analysis of community relationships and interaction dynamics.
• Application of context sensitivity analysis frameworks and the Do No Harm principle.
• Disaggregation of all collected data by sex, age and vulnerability group.

5. Key Deliverables and Delivery Schedule

6. Duration of the Assignment

The contract duration is four (4) months from the date of contract signature, in accordance with the timeframe set out above.

7. Supervision and Reporting Arrangements

The consultant/researcher will work in close cooperation with the Project Coordinator and Technical Officer at the Community Development and Media Center (CDMC). The consultant will submit periodic progress reports as requested, in addition to all reports required under the deliverables outlined in this Term of Reference.

The consultant will also participate in monthly review meetings to present preliminary findings, discuss implementation challenges, and agree on any required adjustments to the work plan.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

• A university degree (a master’s or PhD is preferred) in social sciences, development, conflict and peace studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation tools, community surveys, and focus group discussions.
• Proven experience in analyzing social dynamics, local context analysis, and applying Do No Harm principles.
• Sound knowledge of the social, political, humanitarian and economic context of the Gaza Strip.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, and the ability to prepare analytical reports in both Arabic and English.
• Previous experience working with civil society organizations and/or projects funded by international donors is an added advantage.
• Ability to work within a complex operating environment and under changing security and logistical constraints.

9. Application Procedure

Interested applicants are invited to submit a proposal that includes:

• A technical proposal outlining the methodology and approach.
• A financial proposal detailing the proposed budget.
• Relevant experience and references (a social analysis report or a community opinion monitoring report).
• CV(s) of the consultant(s) or team members.

Proposals should be submitted by 9 August 2026 to the CDMC’s email address: cdmc@cdmcgaza.ps, indicating “Community Opinion Monitoring and Social Dynamics Analysis Consultant – Gaza Public Pulse Initiative” in the subject line of the email.