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IC for the Terminal Evaluation of the ASPIRE Project in the BARMM
Procurement Process
IC - Individual contractor
Office
UNDP-PHL - PHILIPPINES
Deadline
02-Jul-25 @ 07:00 AM (New York time)
Published on
18-Jun-25 @ 12:00 AM (New York time)
Reference Number
UNDP-PHL-00724
Contact
UNDP Procurement Philippines Philippines - procurement.ph@undp.org
Introduction
Country: Philippines
Description of the Assignment:
I. Background and Context
The Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration and Recovery for Advancing Human Security (ASPIRE Project) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), seeks to bolster the decommissioning and normalization aspects of the Bangsamoro peace process. Its focus lies predominantly in tackling the complex issue of personal firearms owned by former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants. This issue has emerged as a significant sticking point, straining relations between the parties involved in the peace process.
Previously, the decommissioned MILF combatants voiced their concerns about not receiving most of the promised socio-economic packages following their decommissioning. Simultaneously, the firearms identified as "put beyond use" during decommissioning were reportedly organizationally owned weapons of the MILF and personal armed groups (PAGs). During this period, "personal weapons" were not mandated to be surrendered, and incidences of horizontal violence related to weapon use escalated in multiple locations within BARMM due to various reasons, including disputes over land and natural resources. The alarming trend of small arms being used in many of these confrontations led the National Government to insist that more personal firearms should be put beyond use.
Both the Philippines Government and the MILF, the signatories of the Peace Agreement, concurred that an integral part of the solution is a comprehensive small arms and light weapons (SALWs) programme. This program is intended to enhance the control of small arms and light weapons, including the implementation of registration, collection, and tracking mechanisms, incentivize former combatants and personal armed groups to surrender their firearms, and strengthen the leadership and management capacity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Joint Normalization Committee (JNC). The project intends to benefit ex-combatants, private armed groups (PAGs) members, their families and communities in the municipalities of Upi and Mother Kabuntalan in Maguindanao del Norte and Hadji Mohammed Ajul and Sumisip in Basilan province respectively. Special attention will be given to the needs and participation of youth and women amongst the former combatants because sufficient gender-responsive socio-economic assistance can reduce the impact of violence to vulnerable groups such as the women and youth.
Through the ASPIRE project, the UNDP facilitated an informal dialogue process among the members of both parties in the peace process. The intent was to address lingering issues that were obstructing the progress of decommissioning and demobilization, particularly the issue of private firearms held mainly by former combatants. The dialogue confirmed that the effective implementation of a Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Programme, in tandem with a timely provision of socio-economic support, could aid in advancing the decommissioning and broader normalization processes. The project goal can be realized by achieving these tree components (please see Annex 2 for the Project’s Theory of Change and Results Framework):
• Output 1: The JNC’s (both the GPH and the MILF) management capacity was strengthened, policies on loose firearms were developed by introducing mapping to identify the highest risk of violence, and SALW proliferation was prevented (USD 1,322,039.07)
• Output 2: Camp transformation for the reintegration of the MILF decommissioned combatants into communities as proactive members was facilitated through establishing an industrial infrastructure and strengthening the MILF leadership capacity (USD 1,030,856.84)
• Output 3: Resilient community building for private armed groups (PAGs) transitioning to alternative livelihoods was supported through establishing an industrial infrastructure and strengthening the JNC’s (the GPH side) management capacity. (USD 925,640.63)
The ASPIRE project aligns with the 2019-2023 UNDP Country Programme Document and Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 that aims to transform communities towards equity and resiliency and assist in enabling and supporting economic environment for the foundations for sustainable development. It also aligns with the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in its Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) Management wherein the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) was assigned to develop a program for the reduction and management of SALW (Section C, Number 10 of the Annex on Normalization). The project aims to enhance the JNC’s capacity to manage the SALW program.
In the first 29 months of the project implementation, around 1,300 SALW have been registered, 2,735 households in Basilan benefited from the socio-economic interventions, 19 groups were given livelihood interventions, of which 10 are women’s associations. Through the IEC campaigns done by the project, the PAGs and ex-combatants were informed about the risks of possession of SALW, resulting in the increase of weapons surrendered.
As part of UNDP’s commitment to accountability, learning, and improvement, a comprehensive
terminal evaluation is needed to assess the project’s overall performance and impact.
II. Evaluation purpose, scope and objectives
Purpose
As ASPIRE is approaching its project completion, a terminal evaluation will be conducted to assess and provide a comprehensive account of what was achieved, how it was achieved, and what lessons can be drawn from the project for future programming or policy design. It aims to identify and capture the results based on the Theory of Change and evaluation the project’s contribution to its desired impact. The evaluation will also assess the strengths and weakness of the project design, implementation, monitoring, and management and sustainability measures.
The findings of the terminal evaluation will be used potentially by UNDP in its future programming on management of small arms and light weapons, by the JNC for guiding policy decisions and improving coordination efforts on SALW management, and by the MILG and local governments for enhancing local governance and security measures, specifically on community-based SALW initiatives and implementation of livelihood interventions.
To assist with the terminal evaluation, the UNDP will require the skills of a consultant who will oversee the ASPIRE project's final assessment, evaluating its applicability, efficacy, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. For UNDP and its partners to benefit from the project's achievements and difficulties, the consultant will offer recommendations for strategies for upcoming programming.
Scope
The ASPIRE Project Terminal Evaluation will be based on the criteria of the OECD-DAC of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability by reviewing progress made toward planned outcomes, including evaluation of the program design and its results frameworks. The terminal evaluation will cover the project implementation from November 2022 to October 2024 in the municipalities of Sumisip and Haji Mohammad Adjul in the province of Basilan and Mother Kabuntalan and Upi in the province of Maguindanao del Norte. The evaluation will generate concise and practical recommendations (10 recommendations) actionable within 18 months after the evaluation and lessons learned to guide the future
direction of the program. Additionally, it will highlight both strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential opportunities and risks, and propose necessary adjustments to the overall program design to enhance its impact and sustainability. The evaluation will also consider limitations/risks such as data availability on SALW management, access to project sites and stakeholder engagement constraints on the scheduled field missions and prepare corresponding risk mitigating measures.
Objectives
The Terminal Evaluation seeks to assess the ASPIRE project's overall performance and results at its conclusion, based on the following evaluation criteria: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, and offer practical recommendations for future programming and policy formulation. Specific objectives of the evaluation include:
• Assessing the relevance of the project’s design and interventions in addressing the needs and priorities of the identified pilot areas in BARMM, particularly in the Provinces of Basilan and Maguindanao del Norte and its communities.
• Evaluating how the project has achieved its planned outputs and outcomes
• Examining the cost-effectiveness and timeliness of the project’s activities and resource
utilization.
• Assessing the changes, both intended and unintended, brought about by the project at various levels, including individual, community, and institutional impacts, including anticipated results
• Determining the likelihood of sustaining the project’s benefits beyond the project duration, considering institutional, financial, and social factors, and providing recommendations thereof, and
• Assessing the application of rights-based approach, gender responsiveness and leaving no one behind (LNOB) in the project interventions.
Qualifications of the successful Individual Contractor
Education
- Advanced degree in Development Studies, Conflict Resolution, Peace and Security Studies, Political Science, Sociology, or related disciplines. A higher degree as well as specialized training in Monitoring & Evaluation, project management, gender studies, etc. are advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting development evaluations with proven expertise in mixed-method research methodologies, preferably in conflict-affected contexts, peace and development, normalization, and/or small arms light weapons management programme. Experience working in the BARMM is highly desirable
- A portfolio of at least two published and/or unpublished research work in relevant policy/program area (normalization, small arms and light weapons management, peace and development) and/or research output from consultancy. At least one of these should be an evaluation.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with results-based evaluation with demonstrated capacity to generate knowledge products (policy briefs, case studies, research articles) based on evaluation findings. Evaluation with OECD-DAC and/or UN evaluation standards are desirable.
Language
- Fluency in English and Filipino
- Knowledge in the local language (Maguindanaon/Yakan) is preferred
The consultant must be independent and have no affiliation with any organization involved in the design, execution, or advisory support of any aspect of the ASPIRE project.
Period of assignment/services: 70 days spread over September 2025 to February 2026
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