Background

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) crisis comes at a tumultuous time for the nascent Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the Philippines, with ministries in the process of mass recruitment, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) yet to fully configure its administrative apparatus, and the region as a whole attempting to navigate a delicate normalization process. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, there has also been a general rise in tension and violent conflict in communities across BARMM[1]. Skirmishes between the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), armed confrontations between Moro MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) groups, local clashes between identity groups over land, and armed lawless elements risk derailing the fragile peace process and highlight the additional constraints on the region’s peace and security efforts. Prior to COVID-19, the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019, following the agreements set forth in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014, led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This heralded a potential era for peace in the region. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) assumed its role as the interim governing body soon after and is currently leading the BARMM through a three-year transition ahead of elections in 2022. However, the establishment of the BARMM has inevitably added another layer of borders, identities, and alterities, in which there are opportunities for both peace and conflict. The adoption of the CAB sought to address some of the underlying causes of the Moro conflict, however there are still broader conflicts that go beyond the peace agreement’s initial scope. Conflict between identity groups, disputes between clans and factions, contentious political contests between status quo and new political actors in the run-up to the 2022 elections, as well as an overarching prevalence of violent extremism, continue to burden the region’s nascent steps towards stability. The current burdens and constraints leave the region facing stark scenarios. On the one hand, the confluence of the administrative restructuring, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 elections could motivate warring groups to arrive at political settlements that end longstanding insurgencies in Mindanao. On the other hand, it could also provoke a more violent interlude of rising crime and community-level violence magnified by the loss of livelihoods, as well as a scramble for scarce economic and political resources on the eve of the 2022 national elections.

This project entitled “ Promoting conflict prevention, social cohesion and community resilience in BARMM in the time of COVID-19 through transformation of women ex-combatants, marginalized women and youth into agents of peace” aligns with and supports national and BARMM government priorities for sustaining peace in the region. Peace and development in Mindanao is an express priority of the National Administration, with commitments being made in the form of peace agreements, such as the CAB, as well as through socio-economic targets within the Philippine Development Plan 2017-22 predicated on sustaining peace in Mindanao. This approach draws a concurrent alignment with the strategy set forth by the UN’s Socioeconomic and Peacebuilding Framework.

The creation of an implementation team to support the Bangsamoro Women’s Commission (BWC) is among the agreements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between UN Women  and BWC for modalities of cooperation and convergence.

[1] Peace remains fragile in the BARMM in the context of COVID-19. During ECQ, several conflicts have transpired in Maguindanao. From the period of 16 March to 23 April, there were 37 clashes recorded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The violence resulted in the death of a 10-year old girl, and her seven-year old sister, and injuries to their pregnant mother, and 13 others, during Eid’l Fitr marking the end of Ramadan. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant, will provide Technical Support to develop Gender-sensitive policies and regulations for the following project outcomes:

1. Outcome 2 -Gender-responsive, locally-inclusive and culturally-sensitive approaches to conflict prevention are mainstreamed into BARMM legislation, policies and program
2. Outcome 3 - BARMM communities in conflict hotspots are more resilient to the internal and external drivers of violent conflict.

 The following are duties and responsibilities:

1. Design the Overall Workplan to deliver the Policy Development component of the PBF3 project covering  Outputs, Activities, Indicators and sub-activities leading to completion of each proposed activity
2. Coordinate with key regional line agencies and local governments, and women CSOs, whenever possible, in the development of policies and guidelines;
3. Coordinate with the Parliament and the Office of the Chief Minister in the review of laws and other issuances that may impact on Bangsamoro women; Reporting progress on the development of tools.
4. Draft policies/ guidelines on gender, women, peace and security, and on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, Conflict Mediation and Resolution and on Gender-sensitive COVID-19 Early recovery efforts through Women’s Economic Empowerment;
5. Finalization of  policies/ guidelines on gender, women, peace and security, and whenever possible, in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, in consultation with UN Women team.

1. Expected deliverables and timelines

Competencies

Knowledge and experience:

• Demonstrated knowledge on gender equality programming in the government and women empowerment, peace and security in the Philippines;
• Excellent writing skills, with significant written work on the security sector, peace and security and/or gender mainstreaming in the Philippines;  
• Fluency in English and Tagalog.

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the United Nations’ values and ethical standards;
• Promotes vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN and UN Women;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Ability and willingness to work as part of a team to meet tight deadlines and produce high quality work

Required Skills and Experience