JOB DESCRIPTION

Hiring Office:

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Philippines

Consultancy Period

The consultancy will involve 60-person days spread over a duration of 7 months

Purpose of consultancy:

Background and Rationale

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is committed to strengthening evidence-based interventions across sectors, particularly in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Philippines. Through its 9th Country Programme, UNFPA supports the Philippine government in developing policies and programs that effectively prevent and respond to GBV, ensuring a human rights-based, survivor-centered approach that prioritizes the dignity, safety, and well-being of survivors. A critical component of this strategy is the development and enhancement of GBV data systems that uphold ethical standards, ensure confidentiality, and facilitate informed decision-making to improve service delivery.

The Government of the Philippines has reinforced its commitment to addressing GBV through the 2025-2030 National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women (NAP EVAW). A central pillar of this plan is the establishment of robust GBV data systems to generate timely, reliable, and actionable evidence that informs policy decisions, strengthens service delivery, and improves coordination among key stakeholders.

In alignment with national efforts, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), as the Chair and Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and Their Children (IACVAWC), respectively, participated in an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2024. The meeting underscored the critical role of both prevalence and administrative data in addressing GBV, highlighting the need for ethical, digitized, and standardized data systems across sectors.

Recognizing the need to strengthen GBV data management, IACVAWC established a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Data Harmonization. This TWG brings together key government agencies responsible for GBV case management, service provision, data reporting, and utilization. To further advance this initiative, UNFPA, in collaboration with DSWD and PCW, convened a National GBV Data Forum during the 2024 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW). This forum brought together international, national, and local experts to share best practices and emerging strategies for strengthening the Philippine GBV administrative data system. Discussions highlighted persistent challenges, including inconsistencies in definitions, reporting mechanisms, and case documentation, as well as the need to enhance ethical standards in data collection, management, and use, particularly in ensuring survivor confidentiality and informed consent.

Building on insights from the EGM and National GBV Data Forum, the IACVAWC TWG on Data Harmonization has identified two key priorities for 2025, in partnership with UNFPA:

Development of a Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan for GBV Data Harmonization

The diverse mandates of government agencies across different sectors in GBV; health, security, legal and justice, and social welfare, result in fragmented data systems with varying standards and protocols, despite serving the same population of GBV survivors.
Led by the IACVAWC TWG on Data Harmonization, this initiative will establish a structured guide to support operationalization of standards and protocols by government agencies involved in GBV data collection, management, reporting, and utilization.
The conceptual framework and strategic plan will serve as a comprehensive roadmap to harmonize common data sets, standardize definitions, streamline intake forms, and establish survivor centred data-sharing protocols. This will ensure a significantly more coordinated and effective approach to GBV data collection, analysis and use across all relevant sectors, operating at both the national and local levels. Furthermore, it will facilitate the identification of shared objectives and collaborative actions, promoting a survivor-centred approach to the responsible sharing of aggregated data. This framework will also enhance the analysis, dissemination and impactful use of GBV data collected from the various sources.
Development and Operationalization of a GBV Case Management Information Management System (IMS)

A key objective of the Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan is to harmonize standards and protocols across all government agencies that come into contact with GBV. To achieve this, each agency must establish a data system that aligns with the agreed-upon framework, ensuring consistency in data collection, management, and reporting.
During discussions at the National GBV Data Forum, it was recognized that among all sectors involved in GBV response, the Social Welfare sector lacks a fully operational, standardized data system extending to the LGU level.
While DSWD, the lead agency for social welfare, currently operates a case management data system, its use is limited to DSWD field offices and remains largely underutilized. LGUs implement varied systems based on their capacities and resources for their GBV case management, with some still relying on paper-based records or basic spreadsheets. These fragmented and inconsistent approaches may compromise data accuracy, security, and survivor confidentiality, and limit options for data analysis and use.
This initiative, which will be led by the DSWD IACVAWC team and Program Management Bureau (PMB), aims to establish an enhanced data system for the social welfare sector by fully digitising the GBV Case Management System at the national and LGU levels. This will provide social workers who serve as case managers with a unified tool to enhance case management, facilitate efficient and secure data collection, and ensure a survivor-centered approach that prioritizes confidentiality and ethical data handling.
The digitization of the GBV Case Management IMS will establish a cohesive, secure, and standardized system that strengthens inter-agency coordination, improves data-driven decision-making, and enhances GBV service delivery nationwide.

To achieve these objectives, UNFPA seeks to engage an International Consultant (IC) with expertise in GBV data systems, information management, and ethical data governance. The consultant will provide technical leadership and strategic guidance in the development and operationalization of the GBV Case Management IMS and the Conceptual Framework for the Philippines’ GBV Data System, ensuring a comprehensive and sustainable approach to GBV data harmonization.

Purpose:

The consultant will provide technical expertise in the development and implementation of the GBV Case Management Information Management System (IMS) in collaboration with DSWD, as well as in the formulation of the Conceptual Framework for the Philippines’ GBV Data System in partnership with the TWG IACVAWC. The consultant will ensure that both initiatives align with international best practices, ethical standards, and a survivor-centered approach. Working closely with IACVAWC, UNFPA, and relevant government agencies, the consultant will provide strategic guidance and technical leadership to achieve the following objectives:

Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan

Establish a Cohesive GBV Data Framework

Develop a structured framework to standardize data collection, reporting, and management across all government agencies that came in contact with GBV.
Harmonize common data sets, streamline intake forms, and ensure consistency in data utilization.
Support Ethical and Survivor-Centered Data Management

Develop standardized protocols for ethical data collection, handling, and usage.
Ensure the framework adheres to global best practices, including UN existing guidelines on ethical GBV data collection and management.
Strengthen Multi-Sectoral Coordination

Provide technical guidance on how the government can maximize and strengthen the existing national and local mechanisms for inter-agency collaboration and coordination on GBV data management.
Enhance Institutional Capacity and Adoptio

Conduct multi-stakeholder consultations and capacity-building sessions to ensure alignment with ethical principles and human rights standards.
Train service providers to adhere to standardized protocols while utilizing the GBV Case management system

GBV Case Management IMS

Strengthen Case Management and Coordination

Support the development of a system design of the GBV Case Management IMS that provides the IACVAWC-approved general intake form for GBV data collection, case management, and record and monitor referrals needed to ensure the alignment with principles on survivor-centred and hum-rights based approach
Ensure the IMS integrates seamlessly into existing GBV response and prevention frameworks stated at the NAPEVAW to improve and monitor quality service delivery.
Standardize and Institutionalize Ethical Data Management

Support the development of an implementation guide outlining standardized protocols for ethical and survivor-centered data collection, storage, and usage.
Ensure data security, confidentiality, and adherence to human rights principles.
Develop Service Modules Tailored for GBV Service Providers

Support the creation of user-friendly modules to support case managers, social workers, and LGU service providers in effectively utilizing the IMS.
Ensure modules are adaptable to varying capacities of DSWD Field Offices and LGUs.
Facilitate Multi-Stakeholder Consultations and Capacity Building

Support the facilitation to conduct consultations to align the IMS with the needs and operational realities of different agencies and service providers.
Provide training to ensure stakeholders most especially system users understand ethical principles, human rights standards, and survivor-centered approaches in data management.
Support UNFPA’s GBV Data Advocacy and Strategic Planning

Provide technical assistance to UNFPA in strengthening its GBV data initiatives, particularly the development of a roadmap for the Country Office’s support to the government on the GBV Case Management IMS
Ensure the IMS contributes to a broader strategy for gender-responsive and quality services, and evidence-based policy and program development.

This initiative aims to institutionalize a comprehensive, survivor-centered GBV Case Management IMS that strengthens coordination, improves service delivery, and enhances data-driven decision-making.

Scope of work:

The IC will work closely with the TWG IACVAWC to ensure the effective development of the Concept Note and Strategic Plan and is expected to complete the following scope of work:

Review and enhance the draft roadmaps for the Concept Note and Strategic Plan, detailing key activities, timelines, resource requirements and collaboration strategies among different sectors
Develop a Comprehensive Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan to guide the implementation, standardization, and enhancement of GBV data systems in the country. This framework will specifically outline rights-based and responsible practices for GBV data collection, management, reporting, and utilization, ensuring a coordinated, ethical, and survivor-centered approach across all implementing government agencies.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and capacity-building sessions to support the effective adoption of the Conceptual Framework by government agencies to ensure service providers to understand and adhere to ethical principles, human rights standards, and survivor-centered approaches.

The IC will work closely with the IACVAWC team and the Program Management Bureau (PMB) of DSWD, as well as with the IT firm contracted by DSWD, to ensure the effective development and implementation of the GBV Case Management IMS. The IC is expected to accomplish the following scope of work:

Provide technical/expert guidance for the development and operationalization of the GBV Case Management IMS, including but not limited to:

System design to enhance case management and inter-sectoral coordination.
Implementation Guide for the system that ensures standardized and ethical data management.
Development of service modules tailored to the needs of service providers.

Support the facilitation of multi-stakeholder consultations and capacity-building sessions to support the effective adoption of the IMS by the DSWD Field Offices and LGUs to ensure service providers to understand and adhere to ethical principles, human rights standards, and survivor-centered approaches.

In general, the IC is also expected to

Provide technical assistance to the UNFPA Country Office Philippines to enhance its ongoing support to the government on GBV data through developing a roadmap for the Country Office.

Please note that if the consultant determines that additional experts or personnel are needed to complete all deliverables in this project, all associated expenses, including travel costs, professional fees, and any other related expenses, will be covered by the consultant.

Work Schedule Arrangements:

The consultancy entails a commitment of 60 person-days spanning a 7-month timeframe, commencing promptly upon contract approval. This includes on-site visits in the UNFPA Philippines Country Office during consultations and capacity-building/ workshops. The exact number of days and schedule will be finalized with the IACVAWC upon planning. The rest of the processes/activities can be efficiently carried out via virtual means, facilitating a flexible home-based work environment.

The consultant will maintain close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the UNFPA CO Philippines Representative, Assistant Representative, Gender/GBV Programme Team, and the GBV Regional Advisor at the UNFPA Regional Office, alongside other essential partners.

UNFPA will cover travel expenses, including airfares, land transportation costs, daily subsistence allowances (DSAs), incidentals, etc., of the consultant in addition to the consultancy fee.

Duration and Delivery dates, Proposed Payment Schedule and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The consultant will involve 60 person- days spread over a calendar period of 7 months, commencing immediately upon awarding of contract.

The consultant will be paid on a per deliverable basis following the schedule below:

Payment

Deliverables

Percentage

1st Payment

DSWD

Enhanced Roadmaps for both the GBV Case Management IMS
Technical Inputs to the draft System Design and Implementation Guide for GBV Case Management IMS

TWG IACVAWC

Enhanced Roadmaps for both the Conceptual Framework and Strategic Roadmap
Draft Comprehensive Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan for TWG IACVAWC

40%

2nd Payment

DSWD

Technical Inputs to the draft Service Module for the GBV Case Management IMS.
Participation and activity reports from consultations, capacity building/workshop and pilot testing for service providers.

TWG IACVAWC

Finalized Comprehensive Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan for the GBV Data TWG.
Participation and activity reports from consultations and capacity building/workshop

40%

3rd Payment

Approved roadmap for UNFPA CO Philippines to enhance its support to the government on GBV data.

20%

TOTAL:

100%

The first payment of 40% will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the first deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically);
The second payment of 40% will be made upon acceptance of the second deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically);
The remaining 20% will be made upon approval by the representative and acceptance of the third deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically).

A detailed project timeline, including specific deliverables and their associated deadlines, will be mutually agreed upon by the consultant and UNFPA. This timeline will be outlined in an inception report to be submitted by the consultant at the commencement of the engagement.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Please note that locations may change depending on the recommendations of DSWD.

Target locations for the activities:

Activities

Place

Consultations and meetings with UNFPA and partners

Virtual and face-to-face within Metro Manila

Capacity Building/Workshops and Pilot Testing for both GBV Case Management IMS and Conceptual Framework and Strategic Plan

Face-to-face within UNFPA Target Sites:

Region 8

Samar
Eastern Samar
Southern Leyte

Region 7

Cebu

Region 5

Catanduanes
Albay
Camarines Sur

Please note that the travel costs for the consultant (1 pax), including airfares, land transportation expenses, daily subsistence allowances, and incidentals for fieldwork such as consultations, validations, and data gathering, will be covered by UNFPA in addition to the professional fee.

The consultant will primarily work remotely from home and deliver outputs to UNFPA Philippines CO. Travel for in-country missions will be conditional upon agreements and will align with country regulations and the mutually decided timeline.

Monitoring, Supervisory, and quality check arrangements:

The UNFPA CO Country Representative, Assistant Representative and Gender/GBV Programme Team will work hand in hand to monitor progress of all deliverables and the entire consultancy.

Supervisory Arrangements:

The UNFPA Country Representative will oversee the project’s overall management, with day-to-day technical support provided by the Assistant Representative and the National Programme Officer on Gender/GBV. The consultant is expected to collaborate closely with the UNFPA Country Office for coordination purposes.

The Management and Programme Team will engage with the consultant regularly at different stages to:

Provide a comprehensive briefing on the assignment, its process, and expected deliverables;
Furnish key documents pertinent to the deliverables;
Introduce and facilitate the consultant’s collaboration with key stakeholders and counterparts as necessary; and
Offer feedback and reach agreement on the subsequent steps of the assignment.

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:

The following experience and qualifications are required for the IC:

Education:

Advanced degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or any other relevant field of study.

Knowledge and Experience:

Experience in Gender-Based Violence (GBV):

At least ten (10) years of experience in working on gender-based violence with at least five years (5) of professional experience in GBV data management, case management, or information systems in the context of GBV prevention and response.
Proven experience working with government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs on developing or improving GBV data systems, case management frameworks, or related programs.
Expertise in Data Systems and Information Management:

In-depth knowledge and practical experience in the development, operationalization, and enhancement of GBV Case Management and Information Management Systems (IMS).
Familiarity with ethical data governance, including principles of confidentiality, survivor-centered data management, informed consent, and human rights-based approaches in data collection and use.
Experience in developing conceptual frameworks and strategic plans related to data management systems, particularly in GBV/VAWC.
Experience in Stakeholder Coordination and Capacity Building:

Experience in organizing and facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and capacity-building sessions for government agencies or service providers, ensuring understanding and adherence to ethical principles, human rights standards, and survivor-centered approaches.
Experience in working with technical working groups (TWGs), government entities, or multiple stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of strategic plans, roadmaps, and advocacy strategies.

Competencies:

Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze, synthesize, and present complex data and information related to GBV programs and data systems.
Leadership and Technical Guidance: Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction and technical leadership on GBV data systems, ensuring the adoption of best practices and ensuring alignment with international standards.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and with diverse stakeholders, including government, UN agencies, and civil society organizations.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare and present reports and guidelines to various audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify and address challenges in data harmonization, coordination, and system design, while proposing practical and effective solutions.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required.

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA in partnership with IACVAWC will manage the logistical aspects required for activities including arranging the venue and accommodations (if necessary), and meals.

UNFPA and IACVAWC will provide essential reports, databases, research, and other relevant documents to support the desk review of the IC.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

To view the complete job description and apply to this position, click “Apply Now” below.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements