Hiring Office:
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Philippines
Consultancy Period
The consultancy will involve 45-person days spread over a duration of 5 months
Purpose of consultancy:
Background and Rationale
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is committed to advancing evidence-based, multi-sectoral interventions in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Philippines. Under its 9th Country Programme, UNFPA works closely with government institutions to strengthen policies, systems, and programs that uphold a human rights-based and survivor-centered approach, ensuring dignity, safety, and holistic recovery for GBV survivors.
In particular, UNFPA supports the capacity strengthening of national and local institutions to provide integrated, survivor-centered services for women and children affected by violence. As part of its broader support to the Philippine government, UNFPA prioritizes the development and enhancement of health sector interventions that respond to GBV, especially through the provision of accessible and quality medical and psychosocial care.
In line with this commitment, UNFPA has maintained a long-standing partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the country. A key component of this collaboration is the support to Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs), which are hospital-based facilities that provide timely, survivor-centered medical and psychosocial services to women and children who have experienced violence.
Through initiatives such as Project BRAVE (Building COVID-safe Responses And Voices for Equity), funded by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNFPA Philippines has supported the DOH in expanding and strengthening the capacity of WCPUs. This includes the provision of essential equipment, support in establishing new units, and training multidisciplinary teams composed of health professionals, social workers, and police officers. These efforts are grounded in national standards and have contributed to improving the quality, coordination, and accessibility of services for GBV and VAWC survivors.
Despite previous investments and progress, there remains a need to systematically assess the current implementation of Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs). Critical gaps persist in understanding the effectiveness of their service delivery models, the degree of their integration within local health systems, and the barriers that survivors, particularly those from marginalized or underserved communities, face in accessing services. The evolving nature of gender-based violence, the increasing demand for survivor-centered care, and broader health system challenges further highlight the importance of generating robust, context-specific evidence to inform future programming and policy directions.
In recognition of these needs, the Department of Health, in partnership with UNFPA, is initiating the development of a strategic plan for the Women and Children Protection Program (WCPP) for 2026 to 2030. A comprehensive assessment of existing WCPUs will serve as a key evidence base to guide this process, ensuring that the future direction of the program is grounded in real-world service delivery experiences, responsive to the needs of survivors, and aligned with efforts to strengthen the role of the health system in GBV response.
To advance this initiative, UNFPA seeks to engage an international consultant with demonstrated expertise in health systems evaluation and strengthening, with applied experience in GBV-related service delivery models and survivor-centered approaches. The consultant will provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of a comprehensive assessment of Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs). This will include evaluating service quality, system integration, coordination mechanisms, resource utilization, and barriers to access and continuity of care within the health and protection sectors.
The consultant is expected to apply a systems-thinking lens, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine the functionality of WCPUs within the broader health system, while ensuring that survivor experiences and frontline perspectives are reflected in the analysis. In close coordination with the Department of Health and relevant stakeholders, the consultant will generate evidence-based findings and recommendations that will inform the development of the Women and Children Protection Program (WCPP) strategic plan for 2026 to 2030, contributing to a more resilient, responsive, and survivor-centered health system.
General Objectives
To provide technical expertise, consultancy and support in the evaluation of WCPU service delivery models and in the identification of access barriers experienced by VAWC and GBV victim-survivors. All this, with the end goal of not only strengthening WCPU implementation and victim-survivor reach, but also institutionalizing it through the development of a multi-year strategic plan.
Specific Objectives:
Scope of work:
Activity No.
Scope of Work
Outputs/Deliverables
Phase 1: Preparatory Phase
1.
Submit inception report
Inception report with the following minimum content:
Background of the project Objectives and expected outputs Proposed methodology Program of activities List of activities Schedule of activities/timeline Budget requirement Project support structure Itemized work plan Gantt chart of activities 2.Initial Meeting and Orientation
Scoping, Planning and Development of Data Collection Tools
Analyze existing assessments, evaluation reports, tools, templates, and communication practices related to WCPUs to guide the development of context-appropriate data collection tools and approaches. Develop data collection tools for desk review, KIIs, FGDs, surveys and General Feedback Forms.ย Develop a data collection protocol detailing the methodologies, ethical safeguards, informed consent procedures, and facilitation guidelines for each data collection activity. Finalize regional sampling design and logistics planPhase 2: Data Gathering 4.
Conduct of desk review of documents and reports
Review existing policies, protocols and models within and outside DPCB, including international standards, workflow, documentation, communication channels, referral pathways, algorithms and required clearinghouses. Hold consultative meetings with UNFPA experts, DPCB or other DOH Offices for guidance as needed. 5.Conduct of interviews and surveysย
Prior to conducting any data collection, the consultant shall ensure that all protocol-defined preparatory steps are completed, including obtaining informed consent, safeguarding confidentiality, ensuring ethical compliance, and orienting field teams accordingly Conduct of KIIs, Focus Group Discussions and surveys with concerned DOH Offices and Centers for Health Development (CHDs) staff, WCPU and LGUs multi-disciplinary teams and staff and other key stakeholders.ย Submit a detailed report summarizing the outcomes of data collection and field activities, including key findings and operational notes. Submit raw and processed data files, accompanied by summary tables and preliminary findings to facilitate initial review and analysis.Phase 3: Data Analysis and Report Drafting 6.
Analyze findings from field data and desk review
Identify key bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvementย in the WCPUs service delivery, coordination, and local integration of services. Conduct a comparative analysis ofย WCPU service models across different sites, highlighting variations in implementation, capacity, and responsiveness to survivor needs. Develop a comprehensive evaluation report that presents the comparative analysis, documents barriers to access, and highlights good practices and innovations that can inform future programming and policy development.Phase 4: Validation and Finalization 7.
Conduct of validation workshop with stakeholders and submission of final reports
Present preliminary findings and gather feedback to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with stakeholder perspectives. Submit documentation of the validation workshop and integrate comments and finalize outputs, incorporating inputs from the workshop and regional experts from UNFPA into the final report. Submit the Final Evaluation Report, along with a concise policy brief, draft presentation materials.Phase 5: Recommendations and Action Planning 8.
Recommendations Development
Present final findings and key recommendations to DOH through a meeting. Prioritize recommendations based on impact and feasibility. Provide final slide deck of the evaluation report for dissemination 9.Conduct of Action Planning Workshop
Facilitate an initial coordination meeting with the DPCB to plan the workshop, identify key participants, and draft the concept note and proposed program of activities. Lead the facilitation of a strategic/action planning workshop aimed at co-developing strategies to enhance WCPU implementation, service delivery, and survivor access. Recommend clear roles and responsibilities, indicative timelines, and success indicators for each agreed action point to ensure accountability and follow-through. Prepare and submit a workshop report summarizing key discussion points, agreed actions, timelines, and next steps.Phase 6: Consultancy Closeout/ Handover 10.
Conduct an Endorsement Meeting
Hold a closeout meeting to review project achievements, challenges, and next steps. Formalize project closeout procedures, including handover of any remaining tasks or materials.NOTE: This draft work plan is subject to adjustment based on evolving needs and circumstances throughout the whole project duration. Regular communication and flexibility will be key to ensuring successful project implementation.
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.
The exact location and number of WCPUs to be evaluated will be determined in consultation with the consultant.ย
Key Working Arrangements Between UNFPA Consultant and DOH:
Regular check-in meetings - (weekly or as needed and face-to-face or online) will be scheduled to monitor progress, clarify expectations, and address bottlenecks. The consultant will be expected to participate in IAC meetings and stakeholder consultations when necessary.ย Coordination Mechanism - The DPCB-CAMHD team will serve as the primary coordinating body and counterpart for the consultant in the DOH Stakeholder Engagement โ The DOH DPCB-CAMHD will be in-charge in coordinating with the Centers for Health Development (CHDs), WCPUs, and other relevant offices and partners to arrange the data collection, consultations, workshops and other national and field activities including necessary logistical requirements. The DPCB-CAMHD team will link the consultant to collaborate with various DOH offices such as the Health Promotion Bureau, Health Facility Development Bureau, Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau and other external stakeholders, as needed, to ensure a holistic and inclusive analysis Approval of Outputs- All outputs shall undergo review and formal acceptance by the DOH. Any revisions identified and agreed during the review process must be completed before approval.ย Reporting obligations, notices, communications and approval process including minimum or essential reports should be addressed to:ย ยย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ANNA MARIE CELINA G. GARFIN, MD, MMย
Director IV, Disease Prevention and Control Bureauย
Bldg. 14, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003
Work Schedule Arrangements:
The consultancy entails a commitment ofย 45 person-days spanning a 5-month timeframe, commencing promptly upon contract approval. This includes on-site visits in the Philippines during in person consultations, capacity-building/ workshops. The exact number of days of missions and timeline of activities will be finalized with the DOH upon planning. The rest of the processes/activities can be carried out via virtual means, facilitating a flexible home-based work environment.
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 involveย 45 person- days spread over a calendar period of 5 months, commencing immediately upon awarding of contract.
The consultant will be paid on a per deliverable basis following the schedule below: