Participatory Action Research (PAR) on Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and Their Impact on Local Peace and Security in Bangsamoro

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Participatory Action Research (PAR) on Private Armed Groups (PAGs) and Their Impact on Local Peace and Security in Bangsamoro

You may view and download Terms of Reference here.

I. Background and Context

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an international civil society organization working to protect civilians in violent conflict through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). In the Philippines, NP has operated since 2007, with a sustained presence in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and adjacent provinces. NP works alongside communities, civil society organizations, and local authorities to prevent violence, reduce threats, and strengthen inclusive peace and protection mechanisms, with particular attention to women, youth, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and other populations in vulnerable situations.

This consultancy is undertaken under the EU-funded SUSTAIN Project, which aims to strengthen community safety, civilian protection, and normalization processes in conflict-affected areas of Bangsamoro. Within this framework, Activity 1.4.1 seeks to generate a robust, evidence-based understanding of Private Armed Groups (PAGs), their operations, and their impacts on local peace and security, in order to inform reintegration, prevention, and normalization strategies aligned with the Bangsamoro peace process.

II. Purpose and Overall Objective

The overall objective of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive Participatory Action Research (PAR) on Private Armed Groups (PAGs) operating in Bangsamoro, examining their historical evolution, recruitment patterns, organizational structures, and impacts on local peace and security.

The research will place particular emphasis on:

• The impacts of paramilitary and PAG-related violence on populations in vulnerable situations, including women, youth, and Indigenous communities;
• The dynamics and effectiveness of existing demobilization and reintegration efforts, including the integration of former PAG members into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP);
• The implications of PAG dynamics for normalization, civilian protection, disarmament, and small arms and light weapons (SALW) control in Bangsamoro.

The study will generate actionable, locally grounded evidence to support inclusive peacebuilding, inform policy and programming, and strengthen sustainable normalization outcomes, in line with the interconnection of outcomes, outputs, and activities under the SUSTAIN Project (Annex 3).

III. Specific Objectives

The PAR shall:

1. Develop a comprehensive profile of PAGs in Bangsamoro, including their origins, evolution, recruitment mechanisms, command structures, territorial presence, and linkages with political, security, and socio-economic actors.
2. Analyze the impacts of PAG operations and paramilitary violence on community safety, social cohesion, and human security, with differentiated analysis for women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples.
3. Engage approximately 120 diverse stakeholders—including community members, former PAG members, women’s groups, youth leaders, Indigenous leaders, civil society organizations, local government units, and security actors—to ensure participatory, inclusive, and context-sensitive analysis.
4. Assess existing demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration pathways, including the integration of former PAG members into AFP and PNP structures, identifying gaps, risks, and good practices.
5. Generate evidence-based recommendations to inform reintegration, prevention, SALW control, and normalization strategies at community, local, and regional levels.
6. Contribute to the identification of key messages and inputs for future policy dialogue, programming, and IEC materials related to armed violence prevention and community safety.

IV. Scope of Work

The Consultant shall work under the overall guidance of the M & E or any designated staff of NO, and in close coordination with the NP Program Manager. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

4.1 Research Design and Inception

• Review relevant literature, policies, and program documents related to PAGs, normalization, and SALW in Bangsamoro.
• Design a PAR framework aligned with Activity 1.4.1 and the SUSTAIN Project results framework.
• Develop clear research questions, analytical frameworks, sampling strategies, and data collection tools, ensuring triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Integrate conflict sensitivity, do-no-harm principles, safeguarding, and gender-responsive approaches.

4.2 Participatory Data Collection

• Conduct stakeholder mapping and scoping across target areas.
• Facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with distinct groups (women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, community leaders, and former PAG members).
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with local officials, civil society actors, religious leaders, AFP, PNP, and relevant authorities.
• Support community dialogues and reflection sessions to surface lived experiences, validate emerging findings, and encourage collective analysis.

4.3 Analysis, Validation, and Action-Oriented Outputs

• Analyze findings with attention to power dynamics, gendered impacts, and community-level implications.
• Facilitate validation workshops with stakeholders to verify findings, address gaps, and refine conclusions.
• Support action planning discussions that translate research findings into practical recommendations for reintegration, prevention, SALW control, and normalization.

V. Methodological Approach

The PAR shall adopt a mixed-methods, participatory approach, combining qualitative and quantitative tools. Core methodological principles include:

• Community-led inquiry and iterative reflection;
• Triangulation across data sources and stakeholder groups;
• Safe, inclusive, and ethical engagement with populations in vulnerable situations;
• Sex- and age-disaggregated data collection and analysis;
• Continuous engagement with NP to ensure policy and program relevance.

VI. Expected Deliverables and Timelines

The consultancy will run for a total of 120 days (4 months).

Key Deliverables:

A. Inception Report

1. • Refined research questions and PAR framework
   • Methodology and sampling strategy
   • Data collection tools
   • Work plan and timeline

B. Draft PAR Report

1. • Comprehensive analysis of PAG dynamics and impacts
   • Assessment of reintegration and normalization pathways
   • Preliminary findings and recommendations

C. Final PAR Report

1. • Revised report incorporating validation feedback
   • Clear, actionable recommendations linked to Activity 1.4.1 outcomes
   • Annexes including tools, stakeholder lists (anonymized), and methodological notes

D. Presentation and Debriefing

1. • Presentation of findings to NP and selected stakeholders

VII. Indicative Work Plan (4 Months / 16 Weeks)

• Weeks 1–3: Inception phase, desk review, refinement of research framework, and development of data collection tools
• Weeks 4–9: Fieldwork and participatory data collection (FGDs, KIIs, community dialogues)
• Weeks 10–12: Data analysis, synthesis of findings, and preparation of the draft PAR report
• Week 13: Validation workshops and stakeholder review of preliminary findings
• Weeks 14–16: Finalization of the PAR report, integration of validation inputs, and presentation/debriefing

VIII. Professional Fee and Mode of Payment

The maximum amount for this consultancy engagement is PhP 1,750,000 and will be inclusive of tax and the payment will be done according to the following arrangement:

Instalments

1st instalment

Amount: 30% of the total amount

Timeframe and Deliverables: Upon submission and approval of Inception Report capturing research design and data gathering tools.

2nd instalment

Amount: 40% of the total amount

Timeframe and Deliverables: Upon submission of Draft PAR Report, including monthly milestones

3rd instalment

Amount: 30% of the total amount

Timeframe and Deliverables: After completion of final study report

NOTE: The Consultant is expected to submit milestones every 18th of the month within the engagement period.

IX. Gender, Conflict Sensitivity, and Safeguarding

The Consultant shall:

• Integrate gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive approaches throughout the research;
• Ensure sex- and age-disaggregated data collection;
• Apply safeguarding and ethical research standards consistent with NP policies;
• Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and protection of participants.

X. Ownership and Use of Outputs

All outputs produced under this consultancy shall be the sole property of Nonviolent Peaceforce. NP reserves the right to use, reproduce, and adapt the materials for programmatic, policy, and advocacy purposes.

XI. Qualifications of the Consultant

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in peace and conflict studies, social sciences, or related fields;
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in peacebuilding or conflict-related research;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of SALW, armed violence, or normalization processes in Bangsamoro or similar contexts;
• Proven experience conducting participatory research in various settings and contexts;
• Strong analytical writing and communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated experience in peacebuilding, conflict analysis, and applied research in high-risk or vulnerable settings.
• Proven capacity to design and conduct program assessments, studies, or surveys relevant to peace, security, and normalization processes.
• Established experience engaging and collaborating with national-level security sector actors, including government ministries/agencies, police, and military institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with civil society organizations, NGOs, and research or academic institutions, particularly on issues related to normalization, armed violence, and community security.

XII. Application Process and Requirements

1. Who should apply: Qualified individual consultants or consulting firms.
2. What to submit (single PDF package):

• Letter of Interest addressed to Delsy Ronnie, Head of Mission, Nonviolent Peaceforce Philippines, briefly stating your suitability, availability, and proposed start date.
• Technical Proposal (concise and tailored to this ToR)
• Financial Proposal
• Consultant/Company Profile
• Relevant experience (1-2 comparable sample works)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the consultant (for individual applicants), or a valid registration certificate and organizational profile (for institutional or firm applicants).

HOW TO APPLY:

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit all documents mentioned above, through Bamboo HR detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• The closing date for applications Tuesday, 3rd March.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates may be shortlisted and selected prior to the closing date. Early submission is strongly encouraged.
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment and if successful, participate in an interview process.
  

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector. NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritize ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.