Occupied Palestinian Territories Independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (OPTIMEL)

OPTIMEL aims to provide a wide range of monitoring, research, and analysis services to support the delivery of the whole of FCDO’s development and diplomatic portfolio in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This will cover the humanitarian response to Gaza, our support to UNWRA, recovery and reconstruction, improved governance and reform and protection of rights. Independent Monitoring will verify results and projects delivered by FCDO’s implementing partners, collect beneficiary feedback data and monitor compliance with FCDO’s agreements and expectations.

OPTIMEL will also provide ad hoc research and rapid assessments, assess whether FCDO is delivering impact, embed learning across the consulate and share with it with partners, and ensure our portfolio is coherent and optimised to deliver our country plan.

The OPTIMEL programme aims to support the FCDO to meet the following objectives:

• Core Objective – Independent Monitoring (IM) of FCDO’s overseas development assistance (ODA) portfolio in OPTs: FCDO’s ODA portfolio supports the humanitarian response, recovery and reconstruction, economic development, improved governance and reform, securit capability. IM will verify results and projects delivered by FCDO’s implementing partners, collect beneficiary feedback data and monitor compliance with FCDO’s agreements and expectations.
• Research and Evaluation: The research will be multi-disciplinary in nature, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies as appropriate. Some research will be ad hoc as required by teams, and some will be continuous. Evaluations will mainly be impact level to assess whether our interventions are working as intended.
• Learning and coherence: Support the whole portfolio to embed learning from the programme through dissemination of findings, specific learning sessions, and through reporting at country board. Ensure the portfolio is coherent and well aligned to deliver the country plan.
• Transparency: Enhance transparency and accountability of FCDO’s ODA portfolio in OPTs

The core objective for this programme is the delivery of IM as noted above. However, FCDO wishes to be innovative in its approach and the EME will consult on the following broad questions:

• How can this programme be designed to capitalise on the strength of OPTs civil society and/or community initiatives for independent monitoring?
• How can this programme be designed to ensure that the FCDO’s ODA delivery in OPTs is held accountable by the communities and beneficiaries it supports?
• What is the best approach to delivering on the research, evaluation and learning objectives of this programme – while maintaining its core-objective for IM?
• What procurement route and partnership structures are most likely to be able to deliver the programme? FCDO want to understand market capacity to develop effective supply chains or consortium partners in OPTs to meet the programme objectives.