Consultancy for Knowledge Documentation, Best Practices and Impact Study Programming - Cotabato City, BARMM (Remote)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)Consultancy Services for Knowledge Documentation, Best Practices and Impact StudyYou may view and download Terms of Reference here.I. Background and ContextNonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an international civil society organization dedicated to the protection of civilians in situations of violent conflict through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) approaches. Since establishing its presence in the Philippines in 2007, NP has worked extensively in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao—particularly within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and adjacent provinces—supporting community safety, violence prevention, inclusive peace processes, and normalization initiatives.Within the framework of the European Union-funded SUSTAIN Project, NP implements Activity 1.4.2: Conduct knowledge documentation of SALW control, civilian protection, and peace processes. This activity synthesizes field-generated insights through assessments, focus group discussions, and interviews with at least 300 stakeholders, including community members, security actors, civil society organizations, local authorities, and normalization bodies. The activity produces key knowledge outputs—namely:* A documentary capturing lived experiences and lessons from peace and protection processes; * A knowledge-sharing book synthesizing findings, reflections, and policy-relevant insights; * A three-site Media Hub system serving as community-based knowledge management and learning platforms in: * Western Provinces * Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte * South Central MindanaoThese hubs, implemented in partnership with institutions such as Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), MSU-Maguindanao, and MSU-Tawi2, generate community-led multimedia content and facilitate participatory storytelling, reflection, and dissemination of lessons relevant to SALW control, civilian protection, rido and land disputes, and normalization processes.Beyond individual project outputs, NP Philippines is advancing a comprehensive Exit Strategy Framework aimed at:* Institutionalizing learning and knowledge systems * Strengthening localization and sustainability of peacebuilding gains * Enabling policy uptake and replication of community-based protection mechanisms * Ensuring responsible transition of capacities, platforms, and partnerships to local actorsIn this context, the proposed Impact Study and documentation of best practices will assess not only the results of Activity 1.4.2, but also the broader institutional, societal, and normalization-related contributions of NP Philippines’ initiatives related to the peace process. The study will generate evidence to inform strategic decision-making, donor accountability, and long-term peacebuilding sustainability.II. Purpose and Overall ObjectiveThe overall purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a rigorous, utilization-focused Impact Study and documentation of best practices generated through the NPeace in Mindanao Centre (Media Hubs) contribute to:* Sustainable civilian protection and community safety * SALW control and normalization pathways * Institutional learning and adaptive programming * Policy dialogue, advocacy, and knowledge transfer * NP Philippines’ Exit Strategy and legacy outcomesThe initiative seeks to move beyond activity-level monitoring toward a deeper understanding of change, including:* Behavioral, relational, and governance shifts * Community ownership of knowledge and peace processes * Sustainability of learning systems after project completionUltimately, the consultancy will provide evidence-based recommendations to guide NP Philippines’ transition toward locally anchored, institutionally sustained peacebuilding ecosystems.III. Specific ObjectivesThe Impact Study and Documentation of Best Practices shall pursue the following interconnected objectives:3.1 Effectiveness and Relevance of Knowledge OutputsAssess how the documentary, knowledge-sharing book, and media hub products:* Capture localized experiences of peace, protection, and normalization * Reflect diverse perspectives (women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, security actors, CSOs) * Inform community awareness, dialogue, and decision-making3.2 Outcomes and Early Impacts of EU-funded initiativesExamine the role of media hubs as community-based knowledge and learning infrastructure, including:* Accessibility and inclusivity of participation * Contribution to civic engagement and community voice * Influence on local discourse, advocacy, and policy conversations * Sustainability and institutional anchoring beyond project support3.3 Contribution to SUSTAIN Results FrameworkAnalyze how Activity 1.4.2 contributes to interlinked outcomes, outputs, and activities within the broader SUSTAIN Action architecture (Annex 3), particularly regarding:* Civilian protection strengthening * SALW control awareness and practices * Normalization and peace process support3.4 Institutional Learning and Exit StrategyEvaluate how knowledge documentation and learning systems:* Strengthen NP Philippines’ adaptive programming and strategic positioning * Support localization and transition to community or institutional ownership * Contribute to durable peacebuilding capacities beyond donor funding3.5 Strategic RecommendationsProduce forward-looking, operationally feasible recommendations to guide:* Exit strategy implementation * Replication or scaling of media hubs * Institutionalization of learning within NP and partners * Policy engagement and advocacy pathwaysIV. Scope of WorkThe Consultant shall operate under the strategic guidance of NP Philippines leadership and technical advisors, ensuring alignment with normalization priorities and ethical research standards.4.1 Inception and Analytical FrameworkThe Consultant will:* Conduct a comprehensive desk review of project documents, reports, and knowledge outputs * Map stakeholders and change pathways linked to Activity 1.4.2 * Develop an Impact Study framework integrating: * OECD-DAC evaluation dimensions * Contribution analysis * Conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive indicators * Submit an Inception Report detailing methodology, sampling, tools, and timeline4.2 Field Engagement and Data CollectionThe Consultant will:* Engage a representative sample of stakeholders drawn from the ≥300 participants of Activity 1.4.2 * Conduct KIIs, FGDs, reflective dialogues, and participatory validation sessions * Review multimedia outputs and dissemination reach * Ensure safe, inclusive, and ethical participation4.3 Analysis and InterpretationThe Consultant will:* Assess relevance, effectiveness, impact pathways, sustainability, and learning * Identify good practices, unintended effects, and structural constraints * Examine institutional-level influence on programming, advocacy, and normalization4.4 Validation and Learning IntegrationThe Consultant will:* Facilitate validation workshops with NP and stakeholders * Translate findings into practical learning and strategy inputs * Integrate feedback into final outputsV. Methodological ApproachThe Impact Study will apply a mixed-methods, utilization-focused evaluation design to generate credible, context-sensitive, and decision-relevant evidence on the outcomes and institutional contributions of Activity 1.4.2 and related SUSTAIN interventions.The methodology will be grounded in the following principles:* Contribution analysis rather than attribution, examining plausible change pathways and the role of knowledge outputs and Media Hubs within the broader peace and normalization context. * Participatory and reflective inquiry, engaging diverse stakeholders—including women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, security actors, and local authorities—in interpretation and validation of findings. * Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative evidence through document review, interviews, focus group discussions, participatory learning sessions, and available monitoring data to strengthen analytical rigor. * Gender responsiveness, conflict sensitivity, and safeguarding compliance, ensuring ethical participation, informed consent, confidentiality, and adherence to Do-No-Harm and NP safeguarding standards. * Learning-oriented synthesis for decision-making, translating findings into actionable recommendations that inform adaptive programming, institutional learning, scaling of Media Hubs, and implementation of NP Philippines’ Exit Strategy.VI. Expected Deliverables and TimelineDuration: Up to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days, equivalent to approximately four (4) months, from contract commencement to final acceptance of outputs. The timeline reflects a phased yet iterative process that integrates analytical rigor, stakeholder validation, and learning-oriented dissemination in line with Activity 1.4.2 and the broader SUSTAIN Results Framework.DeliverablesAs mentioned above, the Consultant is responsible for:A. A documentary capturing lived experiences and lessons from peace and protection processes;B. A knowledge-sharing book synthesizing findings, reflections, and policy-relevant insights; as well as the following below; andC. The technical deliverables detailed below:1. Inception ReportThe Inception Report shall operationalize the consultancy design and provide a clear analytical and methodological foundation for the Impact Study. It must include:* Refined evaluation objectives and key research questions aligned with Activity 1.4.2, SUSTAIN outcomes, and NP’s Exit Strategy Framework; * Detailed methodology, including mixed-methods approach, sampling strategy, stakeholder mapping, and data-collection tools; * Ethical safeguards, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive considerations, and risk-mitigation measures; * A comprehensive work plan, timeline, and validation strategy.Approval of the Inception Report will signal formal authorization to proceed with field engagement and data collection.1. Draft Impact Study Report The Draft Report shall present consolidated findings emerging from field engagement, document review, and analytical synthesis. It must:* Assess relevance, effectiveness, emerging outcomes, and sustainability of knowledge outputs and Media Hub processes; * Identify good practices, lessons learned, unintended effects, and institutional implications; * Demonstrate preliminary linkage between Activity 1.4.2 results and wider SUSTAIN and normalization outcomes; * Provide initial strategic recommendations for learning, scaling, and exit-strategy implementation. The draft will be subjected to technical review and stakeholder validation prior to finalization.3. Final Impact Study ReportThe Final Report shall integrate feedback from NP and stakeholders and present a fully validated, publication-ready analysis. It must:* Deliver robust evidence of contribution to civilian protection, SALW control awareness, normalization support, and institutional learning; * Articulate sustainability pathways, localization prospects, and policy relevance of documented practices; * Provide clear, actionable, and operationally feasible recommendations for NP Philippines’ strategic transition and legacy positioning; * Include annexes containing methodology, tools, stakeholder lists (as appropriate), and supporting analytical materials.Acceptance of the Final Report constitutes completion of the core technical deliverable of the consultancy.4. Presentation and Learning BriefThe Consultant shall prepare:* A concise, decision-oriented Learning Brief summarizing key findings, insights, and recommendations for programmatic and policy audiences; and * A formal presentation of results to NP leadership, partners, and relevant stakeholders to support uptake, institutional learning, and dissemination.These outputs are intended to translate analytical findings into practical guidance for adaptive programming, knowledge institutionalization, and exit-strategy implementation.VII. Indicative Work PlanThe consultancy is expected to be completed within an indicative duration of up to sixteen (16) weeks, following a phased yet iterative process that allows continuous learning, stakeholder validation, and methodological rigor. Each phase corresponds to specific analytical milestones and deliverables contributing to the overall Impact Study and documentation of best practices under Activity 1.4.2 and the broader SUSTAIN Results Framework.Weeks 1–3: Inception and DesignDuring the inception phase, the Consultant shall undertake a comprehensive desk review of relevant project documents, knowledge products, monitoring data, and contextual literature. Stakeholder mapping and refinement of change pathways will be conducted to frame the analytical scope of the Impact Study. The Consultant will finalize the evaluation design—including methodology, sampling strategy, data-collection instruments, ethical safeguards, and detailed implementation schedule—and submit an Inception Report for NP review and approval.Weeks 4–8: Field EngagementThis phase will focus on primary data collection through inclusive and conflict-sensitive engagement with a representative range of stakeholders connected to Activity 1.4.2 and related SUSTAIN interventions. Methods may include key informant interviews, focus group discussions, participatory reflection sessions, and review of multimedia and knowledge outputs generated through the Media Hubs. Data gathering shall ensure gender responsiveness, safeguarding compliance, and meaningful participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, security actors, civil society organizations, and local authorities.Weeks 9–11: Analysis and DraftingCollected qualitative and quantitative evidence will be systematically analyzed using contribution analysis, triangulation of findings, and OECD-DAC evaluation dimensions. The Consultant will identify emerging outcomes, good practices, unintended effects, institutional learning, and sustainability pathways. These insights will be synthesized into the Draft Impact Study Report, presenting preliminary conclusions and strategic implications for NP Philippines’ programming, normalization support, and exit strategy direction.Week 12: ValidationThe Consultant shall facilitate structured validation sessions or learning workshops with NP leadership, partners, and selected stakeholders to review preliminary findings and interpretations. Feedback gathered during these engagements will be documented and integrated to strengthen analytical accuracy, contextual relevance, and stakeholder ownership of conclusions and recommendations.Weeks 13–16: Finalization and DisseminationThe final phase will involve refinement of the report based on validation inputs, preparation of the Final Impact Study Report, and development of concise learning and presentation materials suitable for programmatic, policy, and donor audiences. The Consultant will deliver a formal presentation of findings and recommendations to NP and relevant stakeholders, ens…