TERMS OF REFERENCEย ย
Hiring Office:
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Philippines
Purpose of consultancy:
Background and Rationale
Violence against women (VAW) is a violation of fundamental human rights, which undermines womenโs integrity and sense of self-worth, and deprives them of the opportunity to participate equally in social and productive endeavours. A significant proportion of women in the Philippines experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. UNFPA data (2023) suggests that lifetime experience of physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner ranged from 11% to 64%, while current experience (experience of VAW in the past 12 months preceding the survey) ranged from 4% to 48% (Source: NAP EVAW). Intimate partners are more likely to inflict violence than other perpetrators. VAW is a manifestation of deep-rooted structural discrimination and the historical unequal gender relations between women and men.
The 2030 Development Agendaโs Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-5 aims for gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, with sub-goal 5.2 specifically targeting the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. The Philippines has demonstrated its commitment to this goal through legislations such as the Magna Carta of Women (RA9710) and, critically, Republic Act 9262, the Anti-Violence Act.ย The government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing gender-based violence through the National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Women (NAP EVAW) 2025-2030, designed to operationalise RA 9262.
The NAP EVAW 2025-2030 is a multi-sectoral strategic plan focused on eliminating VAW by strengthening prevention, ensuring survivor access to quality services, and enhancing accountability mechanisms. The Inter-Agency Council on Violence against Women (IACVAW), established under RA9262, serves as the lead coordinating and monitoring body for VAW initiatives in the country.ย UNFPA actively supported the formulation of the NAP-EVAW, engaging a diverse range of government and non-government stakeholders across the regions.ย
To effectively measure the impact of the NAP-EVAW 2025โ2030, promote accountability, and support continuous programme improvement, there is a pressing need for a robust, gender-sensitive, and culturally responsive Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBM&E) Framework. This framework will play a vital role in tracking progress against defined outcomes, identifying implementation gaps, and informing timely, evidence-based adjustments to strategies and activities.
In this context, UNFPA, in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), is seeking a qualified Individual Consultant to develop a comprehensive RBM&E Framework. The framework will establish indicators, data collection tools and methodologies, and evaluation processes to assess the effectiveness and impact of the NAP-EVAW. It will also be designed to align with and complement the Costed Implementation Plan (CIP), ensuring coherence between planned activities, allocated resources, implementation timelines, and performance monitoring across both national and local levels.
Scope of work:
Objectives:
To monitor the progress of the NAP EVAW through a comprehensive and systematic approach, assessing performance against the set targets and timelines.This includes establishing a reporting mechanism to regularly share status updates and evaluation findings with key stakeholders, responsible agencies, and the public. To evaluate the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of programs and interventions outlined in the NAPEVAW using both quantitative and qualitative methods. To identify the areas of strategic and programmatic enhancement by analysing gaps and challenges, and ensure efficient allocation of the resources to optimise the impact on prevention of and response to violence against women and children. To strengthen institutional capacity and ownership of the M&E Framework by conducting training and orientations to key stakeholders both at the national and local levelsScope of Work:
Desk Review: Conduct a desk review of the relevant documents, including NAP EVAW 2025โ2030, previous strategic plans, policies, monitoring and data systems, and IACVAWC reports. Also review existing M&E frameworks and related action plans, including Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), and the Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP). Inception Report:ย Write an inception report detailing the approach, process, and methodologies for the development of the M&E framework. The inception report should also include the proposed outline of the framework. Consultation: Identify and engage with relevant stakeholders, including national and local government agencies, NGOs, and civil society organisations, to elicit information and inputs and build consensus on the strategies, tools, mechanisms outlined inย the proposed M&E framework Theory of Change and M&E Framework: Develop the Theory of Change and results framework (outputs, outcomes, impacts) and ensure its alignment with NAP EVAW with special focus on primary prevention. Identify SMART indicators with disaggregation, their means of verification, frequency, risks and assumptions; include baseline and endline targets, and data sources. M&E Tools: Draft user-friendly tools and templates both for the national government agencies as overseeing body and the local government unit as implementers (e.g., indicator reference sheets, reporting templates, data flow charts). Ensure alignment with national and local reporting systems (e.g., GAD database, PhilSys, SDG reporting). Validation workshop:ย Conduct national and regional validation workshops with the relevant government and non-government stakeholders to present and review the draft CIP. Finalisation and approval of the Plan:ย Finalise the plan by incorporating the inputs generated through the validation workshop and ensure the approval of the plan by both UNFPA and PCW/IACVAWC.Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer
Conduct an orientation and training session for IACVAWC, LCAT-VAWCs, and key stakeholders at the LGU level both at the national and sub-national levels on theย RBM&E system . Provide a sustainability and transition plan for the institutionalisation of the framework.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.
Consultancy Period
The consultancy will involve 30-person days spread over 6 months
Duration and Delivery dates, Proposed Payment Schedule, and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
The Consultant will be paid based on the following deliverablesย andย the timeline:
Paymentย
Deliverables
Percentageย
First Paymentย
Upon submission of the approved Inception report, including work plan, methodology and stakeholder engagement strategy, including the outline of the proposed M&E framework, based on the desk review Upon conduct of consultations with key stakeholders both at the national and sub-national level and submission of activity report20%ย
15 August 2025ย ย
Second Paymentย
Upon submission of the draft Result-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Theory of Change, results framework, indicators, and tools and the Logframe Matrixย Upon conduct of validation workshop both at the national and sub-national levels and submission of activity report20%
30 September 2025ย
Thirdย Paymentย
Revised and improved RBM&E Framework reflecting validation results and stakeholders' feedback. Capacity building plan and Training Materialsย30%
30 October 2025ย
Fourth and Final paymentย
Final and approved M&E Framework for the NAPEVAW incorporating feedback and findings from the training and final inputs from UNFPA and key partnersย Final Consultancy Report, summarizing all tasks undertaken, key outputs delivered, challenges encountered, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations for UNFPAโs next steps, including opportunities for scale-up and suggested directions moving forward.30%ย
01 December 2025ย
The first payment, 20%, will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the first deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically); The second payment, 20%, will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the first deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically); The third payment, 30%, will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the first deliverable as per the table of deliverables (electronically);ย The remaining 30% will be made upon approval by the Assistant Representative and acceptance of the final deliverables 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:
The consultant will be mostly home-based but will have to report to the UNFPA office when called (upon prior coordination with the Consultant).ย The deliverables will be submitted to UNFPA Philippines CO through the Gender/GBV Team and will be closely coordinated with the PCW Secretariat
Kindly note that final site selection for the activities will be undertaken in coordination with PCW and UNFPA. The project is expected to focus in Metro Manila for national-level activities and select province/s for the sub-national level activities.
Location of Activities::
Activities
Place
Consultations
National level- Metro Manila
Sub- national level- Province to be determined, either Region V, VIII or BARMM
Validation Workshop
National level- Metro Manila
Sub- national level-ย To be determined,ย either Region V, VIII or BARMM
Capacity Building
National level- Metro Manila
Sub- national level-ย To be determined,ย either Region V, VIII or BARMM
Monitoring, Supervisory, and quality check arrangements:ย
The project will be under the overall management of UNFPA Assistant Country Representative with day-to-day technical backstopping from the Gender/GBV Programme Team.ย The Consultant is expected to work closely with the UNFPA Country Office for coordination purposes.ย
Expected Travel
UNFPA will cover only the travel-related costs for the consultant (1 pax), including airfare, land transportation, daily subsistence allowance, and incidentals related to fieldwork such as consultations, validation activities, and training sessions, in addition to the professional fee. Should the consultant opt to bring additional staff to support the delivery of activities, all associated travel expenses for the additional personnel shall be borne by the consultant.
Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:
The following experience and qualifications are required for the IC:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. At leastย 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, or results-based management, particularly in the areas of gender equality, womenโs empowerment, or prevention and response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). Proven experience in designing and implementing RBM&E frameworks and systems for national action plans, preferably in the context of GBV or related social policy sectors. Solid understanding ofย results-based management and logical framework approaches in social development or governance sectors including programme and project cycle management,ย Demonstratedย in-depth knowledge of Philippine government systems and development planning processes, including public budgeting, inter-agency coordination, and reporting mechanisms at both national and local levels. Strong understanding of theย legal and policy environment on gender equality and GBV in the Philippines, including key laws such as the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), Anti-VAWC Act (RA 9262), Anti-Rape Law, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and the Safe Spaces Act. Familiarity with the broaderย gender policy landscape in the Philippines, including national strategies, institutional mandates, and coordination structures Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. Strong facilitation skills and experience in leadingย participatory consultations and workshops with government and civil society stakeholders. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategic planning and costing. Working knowledge ofย international frameworks on gender equality and women's rights (e.g., CEDAW, SDG 5, Beijing Platform for Action).Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office, equipment), if applicable:
The PCW Secretariat through coordination with the UNFPA Gender/GBV Unit, M&E unit, and other relevant Country Office teams/units will provide necessary documents and data from the internal CO databases for the Consultant to review.ย
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 hereย to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
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.ย