Position Title : Consultant (Research)
Duty Station : IOM Philippines Country Office (Cotabato City)
Classification : Consultant
Type of Appointment : Consultancy
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 30 September 2022
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context:
The consultant will report to the National Project Officer in the IOM Philippines Country Office. The consultant will be required to work independently with minimal supervision; however, specific guidance from the project team in the IOM Country Office must be followed.
Nature of Consultancy: Under the “Promoting Conflict Prevention, Social Cohesion, and Community Resilience in BARMM in the time of COVID-19”project, the consultancy aims provide technical support to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on the impact evaluation of the Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) through the conduct of research to explore its contribution to the overall peace and order situation in mutually-agreed areas between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Background
Considering the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the Implementing Panels through the joint normalization mechanisms are expected to deliver parallel commitments under the Normalization Program in the Bangsamoro. The security aspect of the Annex on Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) through the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) includes the deployment and activation of Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) in mutually agreed areas. The JPST is the operating arm of the Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC), each team is composed of contingents from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (7), Philippines National Police (8), and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Force (15).
As interim peacekeeping forces, they were formed together with the following duties and functions: work for the maintenance of peace and order and stability of the areas mutually identified by the GPH and the MILF, track and document private armies and other armed groups, and the reduction and control of weapons and materiel, support the observance of the existing ceasefire agreement to address and prevent hostilities, work on security arrangements for activities related to and personalities involved in the peace process upon request, and support dispute resolution initiatives on the ground.
As early as 2015, the GPH and MILF identified plausible JPST deployment areas based on the presence of MILF community, clan feud or “Rido”, PAGs, and security threats that may implicate the implementation of the Normalization Program. The JPST stations, through funding support from the Japanese Government and OPAPRU, are established in identified JPST deployment areas with due coordination with concerned LGUs, AFP and PNP in the area. As of August 2022, 17 teams with 515 strong JPST personnel were deployed in BARMM and adjacent regions.
A strong monitoring and evaluation system must be established to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the Normalization Program, particularly on the security aspect. Within this context, the need to conduct evaluation research is the prime objective of JPSC to appraise the impact and contribution to the peace and order situation in mutually agreed areas of 10 JPSTs’:
- JPST TALITAY
- JPST PIKIT 1
- JPST NORTH UPI
- JPST BALINDONG
- JPST DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN
- JPST MUNAI
- JPST MAMASAPANO
- JPST TUNGAWAN
- JPST COLUMBIO
- JPST TIPO-TIPO
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
The consultant will conduct research to explore the JPST’s contribution to the peace and order situation in mutually agreed areas. In particular, the research will delve into the following questions:
- What is the level of improvement of peace and order situation in mutually agreed areas with deployed JPST?
- How does the deployment of JPST impact public security and safety at the municipal level and barangay level as perceived by:
- Local Government Unit
- AFP and PNP
- BIAF-MILF, and
- Communities
- What is the level of trust and satisfaction among community members in JPSTs?
Tangible and Measurable Outputs of the Work Assignment
The consultant is expected to produce high-quality, publishable outputs within a specified timeline to IOM and JPSC that can be shared across and within the peacebuilding bodies and mechanisms.
Realistic Delivery Dates and Details as to how the work must be delivered
Deliverables are to be performed in accordance with the following indicative schedule:
First Deliverable: Submission and approval of Inception Report (First instalment of payment: 30%)
- 15 to 30 September 20222- Gather, consolidate, and analyse relevant primary and secondary data on Joint Peace and Security Committee (JPSC) and Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs). This involves a review of related literature
- 30 September 2022- Submission and approval of data collection tools (e.g., KII/FGD questionnaires, survey tools, etc.)
Second Deliverable: Submission of preliminary findings and draft evaluation/research report (Second instalment of payment: 40%)
- 1 to 15 October 2022- Gather data/information from community members, LGUs, security forces, and other stakeholders to determine the impact of JPST’s contribution to peace and order situation in mutually agreed areas, using approved data collection methods/tools
- 16 to 20 October 2022- Presentation of preliminary findings (with snapshots and infographics) to IOM and JPSC.
- 21 to 31 October 2022- Submission of draft research incorporating inputs from IOM and JPSC during the presentation of preliminary findings.
Final Deliverable: Submission and approval of evaluation research report (Final Instalment of payment: 30%)
- 1 to 14 November 2022- Submission of final research report incorporating final reviews, inputs, and recommendations from IOM and JPSC.
- 15 to 29 November 2022- Presentation of the evaluation research findings to JPSC and other stakeholders.
- 30 November 2022- Hand-over of data sets including finalized tools to IOM and JPSC.
Performance indicators for evaluation results
- Quality and timeliness of the expected deliverables (value of services rendered in relation to their cost)
- Effective adaptation of thematic resources and information into materials and key messaging that are relevant to the target audience
- Application of a results-based approach to the consultancy – i.e., deliverables are aligned with project objectives and contribute concretely to the overall impact of the project
- Efficient coordination with the IOM’s project team, JPSC, and all necessary stakeholders
- Strict adherence to ethical standards, including confidentiality and data protection
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Social Development, Peace and Development, and other related fields
Experience
- Demonstrated expertise and experience (at least 5 years) in the conduct of qualitative research and process documentation related to peacebuilding and in particular community stabilization, and normalization.
- Proven ability to produce high-quality work while meeting tight deadlines
- Good knowledge and familiarity with BARMM contexts and GPH-MILF peace process.
Skills
- Excellent technical writing and proofreading skills; proven capacities in community organizing, capacity-building, and stakeholder coordination.
Languages
- Fluency in English and Filipino is required; knowledge of another BARMM local language is of advantage.
Note
The consultant must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.
The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.
IOM is an intergovernmental organization, and as such is exempted of all taxes in the Philippines. Therefore, it is not obligated to retain any taxes that should be owed to the Government of the Philippines as part of the execution of this contract. It is the sole responsibility of the contractor to comply with any fiscal obligations that might be applicable.
Copyright
The ownership of intellectual products developed during this project will be shared with the government entities partaking in its creation, as well as IOM’s regional office. Government agencies and the cooperating agency must be warranted visibility and recognition, through the use of their logos in every document and any other material that might be a result of these intellectual production. Applications received later or that do not specify the name of the call will not be considered.
Required Competencies
Values
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
- Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 1
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
- Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM will only accept applications which should include a cover letter (not more than one page) and CV highlighting the required education and experience or a duly completed IOM Personal History Form. To access the form, please visit link.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to hrphilippines@iom.int by 30 September 2022 with a subject line CON 2022 006 Consultant (Research)
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.