Consultant for the Database development, baselining of BIWAB Profile and Capacity Needs Assessment

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Consultant for the Database development, baselining of BIWAB Profile and Capacity Needs Assessment

Hiring Office: Nonviolent Peaceforce and UNFPA

I. Purpose of the Service Contract

With the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019, following the agreements set forth in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF in 2014, led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This heralded a potential era for peace in the region after decades of armed conflict and chronic insecurity including vertical conflict between national armed forces and armed Moro-groups beginning in the 1970s (such as the MNLF and MILF which signed individual peace agreements with the Govt in 1996 and 2014 respectively); smaller breakaway factions such as the ASG and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which rejects the peace agreements resulting in ongoing clashes with the national armed forces; the more recent development of violent extremist groups exemplified by the Marawi siege in 2017; horizontal community conflicts such as local inter-clan conflicts and inter-ethnic clashes over land which predate the vertical conflict and the ensuing cyclical displacement.

The Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA), comprising MILF and national government appointees, has assumed its role as the interim governing body and is currently leading the BARMM through a three-year transition ahead of national and regional elections in 2022 when representatives of the newly formed Bangsamoro Parliament will be elected. The establishment of the BARMM within Mindanao has inevitably added another layer of borders, identities, and alterities, in which there are opportunities for both peace and conflict. The MILF is actively presenting itself as the custodian of a new administrative structure that is able to govern and represent communities that are disenfranchised, such as those with non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (IPs), as well as entice communities that host splinter Moro armed groups, such as the BIFF, to rejoin civil society. This prospect is entwined with the CAB itself, which has two tracks: the political track and the normalization track. The political track includes the administrative establishment of the BARMM, while the normalization track commits to the decommissioning of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the MILF, including its all-female supplemental force, the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB), and the transformation of MILF base commands into peaceful and resilient communities (Camp Transformation). This process is scheduled to be implemented in four phases until 2022, in the run-up to a final ‘Exit Agreement’ between the MILF and the national government which will end the transition as well as the political and normalization tracks of the CAB. Achieving the political and normalization milestones by 2022 was ambitious to begin with, but the delays to implementation brought on by COVID-19 as well as the repurposing of national government funds to address the pandemic have considerably raised the odds against a successful transition without a strong commitment from both parties as well as significant political and financial support from development partners.

UNFPA and its development partners have implemented interventions and projects to support the normalization process focusing on the empowering and reintegrating of the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB) from 2019 to the present. The BIWABs are a non-combatant all-women support group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). The BIWAB members’ duties have ranged from being medics right through to working as morale boosters for the BIAF combatants. With the support of the partners such as DFAT- Australia, Japan Embassy, Norwegian Embassy, and New Zealand embassy, a total of 867 BIWAB members including leaders are engaged to support and implement programs and projects addressing the issues of GBV, CEFM, and COVID-19 response. As of present, different projects have engaged around 6.8% BIWAB out of the estimated 13,000 members.

II. Objective of the Consultancy

As part of UNFPA’s effort in providing and developing programs and interventions to support the reintegration and empowerment of the BIWAB towards development, a baseline data collection of the identified BIWAB engaged with the UNFPA project will be conducted. The baseline will focus on mapping and assessing the BIWAB’s socioeconomic and educational status including their access to services, participation, and representation in the peacebuilding processes, etc. The data collection primarily aims to generate evidence and have a wider and comprehensive analysis of the BIWAB status and needs in able for UNFPA to identify accurate interventions and support that are essential to ensure their full reintegration and participation in the normalization process.

Overall, the consultancy aims to have the specific objectives:

1. Conduct first round baseline data collection of the 867 BIWAB profiles engaged from the existing and previously completed projects such as Japan, DFAT, Norway, and New Zealand. The data collection will include mapping, and assessment of BIWAB’s capacity, needs, and well-being.
2. Develop a comprehensive situational analysis of BIWAB situation based on the gathered information including data visualization and presentation of analysis.
3. Consolidate and develop database monitoring file of the information and data gathered.
4. Develop at least (2) case studies/ success stories on the support or intervention provided by UNFPA to the BIWAB beneficiaries.

The data collection will primarily focus on the following key components:

Basic Information

1. Demographic Profile (Age, Gender, Religion, Residence)
2. Socioeconomic Profile (Education, Income, Employment)
3. Access to Basic Services (Health, Social Services, Etc.) from different development agencies. (e.g BARMM Ministries and agencies, NGO’s, National Government, CSO etc.).

Result from UNFPA Projects

1. Improvements in Participation, Representation and Community Engagement

• • Community Development Activities
    – Peacebuilding initiatives
    – Normalization Process
    – GBV Advocacy activities
    – Emergency/ Humanitarian response

1. Perspectives/Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors on GBV and SRHR topics (e.g gender roles and responsibilities etc)
2. Improvement in Participation in Economic Activities.

Intermediate Indicators

1. Interventions/support BIWAB received from UNFPA as part of the project/programs

III. Scope of work

For the period of September 15, 2022 to December 15, 2022, the consultant is expected to carry the following activities in the identified target areas:

1. Consolidate and develop a database of BIWAB profiles and dashboard for the visualization and presentation of analysis.
2. Conduct baseline data collection, mapping and assessment of BIWAB’s capacity, needs and well-being.
3. Consolidate, analyze and provide a situational analysis of the status of the BIWAB based on the data gathered.
4. Develop and design of data collection tools and methodology
5. Analysis and interpretation of the results developed.
6. Presentation of the baseline results to the UNFPA Mindanao, UNFPA Country Office including BARMM Partners and other stakeholders.
7. Submission of a Packaged Report
8. Indicator and orientation
9. Consolidation and run stats and analysis

IV. Deliverable and Outputs

Output: Inception report including research design, instruments and methodology

Description: Outlines of the consultant’s/ firm’s draft research design, timelines, and activity plan

Output: Conduct data collection and Pre-Assessment Report and Validation

Description:

> Based on the agreed plan and design the consultant/firm will facilitate the data collection;

> Submit the draft report

> Conduct validation workshops

Output: Final Report that includes: (1) Duplicate Raw and Processed Data; (2) Final Report cleared by UNFPA

Description: Full documentation report of analysis and data. This shall be cleared by the UNFPA and partner stakeholders

V. Duration, working schedule, fee basis

Tranche: 1st (40%)

Deliverables:

> Inception Report (with the draft instrument)

> Upon the consultant’s satisfactory submission to and acceptance by the UNFPA and NP of the draft conceptual framework, protocols, and instruments necessary to operationalize the assessment

Tranche: 2nd (30%)

Deliverables:

> Data Collection: Upon the presentation of initial data analysis and submission of the draft report

Tranche: 3rd (30%)

Deliverables:

Final Report that includes:

> Duplicate Raw and Processed Data

> Final Report cleared and NP by UNFPA

VI. Place where services are to be delivered

The study will be conducted primarily and covered the following:

1. Province of Maguindanao
2. Province of Lanao Del Sur
3. Cotabato City

VII. Supervisory arrangements

The project will be under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Philippines M&E Unit and NonViolent Peaceforce, and the day-to-day supervision of UNFPA and NP M&E Units.

VIII. Data Privacy

Pursuant to the provisions of the Republic Act No. 10173 of the Philippines, Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations. Data confidentiality and security of the information shall be implemented, profiles and information that will be gathered must be secured and can only be accessed by the hiring agencies and are prohibited to be distributed or shared without the approval. All the data sources both raw and processed shall be submitted to hiring offices by the consultants before the closure of engagement.

IX. Expected Travel

Data collection to selected municipalities of Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur including Cotabato City

X. Qualifications

Job requirements:

• Academic research institutions are highly preferred.
• Team lead with Advanced Degree (preferably Ph.D.) in Population, Management, Demography, Development, Economics, Statistics, Public Administration, Law, Peacebuilding, or any other related Social Science fields;
• With a minimum of 7 years of experience in the design and conduct of operations research and/or impact evaluations for public sector programs and policy mapping;
• In-depth knowledge of population dynamics, health systems and health service delivery modalities, national health policies, reproductive health, gender-based violence, protection and development related issues and challenges in the country and in the context of peacebuilding;
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and policy advice are essential;
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills, (legal writing is an advantage);
• Fluency in English is required;
• Familiarity with UN policies and principles will be an advantage;
• Ability to organize work effectively and meet planned deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different backgrounds in a multicultural environment;
• Must possess negotiation skills; and
• Experience working with the government implementing partners.

Core Competencies:

• Integrity, commitment, cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity;
• Developing people/Coaching and Mentoring;
• Building and managing relationships; and
• Personal leadership and effectiveness.

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen;
• Implementing management systems;
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches;
• Client orientation;
• Organizational awareness;
• Strategic alignment of human resource practices;
• Promoting organizational change and development;
• Impact and influence; and
• Job knowledge/technical expertise.

How to apply

XI. Submission of Proposals

Please visit our website to submit your cover letter, CV, and proposals.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 30 August 2022. Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE

NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.