Consultancy for the Development of a Three-Year Provincial Youth Development Plan (PYDP), Lanao del Sur

Background and Rationale

The consultancy supports the project’s effort to institutionalize youth participation in local and provincial development planning in Lanao del Sur. It builds on previous investments in youth participation and local development planning, particularly through the BE Models and Way to Peace initiatives.

Through these interventions, the project has supported youth engagement and development planning in 20 barangays across four target municipalities, with five barangays in each municipality. The project has also supported the organization of 20 youth organizations through Way to Peace, while four youth organizations were previously organized through the BE Models project. These existing structures and planning processes provide a foundation for deepening youth participation and linking community-level priorities to municipal and provincial planning.

The consultancy will therefore not develop the Provincial Youth Development Plan (PYDP) in isolation. It will facilitate a participatory and evidence-based process that brings together: (i) priorities and perspectives of youth organizations; (ii) relevant priorities reflected in the 20 Barangay Development Plans; (iii) existing plans and priorities of the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO); and (iv) inputs from other youth organizations organized by the Provincial Government and other NGOs and development partners, as identified in coordination with the Provincial Local Youth Development Office (PLYDO).

The process will consolidate and analyze these inputs to identify priorities that can be addressed through a three-year provincial youth development framework, while supporting validation, endorsement, and integration of the PYDP into local governance and planning structures.

Outcome and Outputs

Outcome 2: Institutionalized youth participation in local and provincial development planning.

Outcome 2 will be achieved through the engagement of youth organizations and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the integration of youth priorities into an inclusive, evidence-based three-year Provincial Youth Development Plan (PYDP) of Lanao del Sur.

Output 2.1: Youth consultations informed the drafting and/or review of the Provincial Youth Development Plan.

• Target: At least 400 officials from 20 barangays and members of 20 youth organizations participate in community- and municipal-level consultations and workshops.

Output 2.2: PYDP is validated, endorsed, and reflected in local governance structures.

• Target: At least 135 officials from 20 barangays and members of 20 youth organizations participate in policy and stakeholder forums for the endorsement and integration of youth priorities in the PYDP.
  

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical and facilitation support for the development of a participatory, evidence-based three-year Provincial Youth Development Plan for Lanao del Sur, grounded in existing barangay development plans, local youth development planning, and the priorities and aspirations of young people.

Specific Objectives

1. Review relevant existing planning documents, including the 20 Barangay Development Plans and available LYDO/local youth development plans and priorities.
2. Facilitate youth-focused consultations and FGDs across the four target municipalities to identify youth priorities, concerns, aspirations, and proposed development responses.
3. Bring together youth organizations supported through previous project interventions, including the Way to Peace and BE Models projects, with other youth organizations identified by the PLYDO.
4. Analyze and consolidate community, youth, municipal, and provincial inputs and identify priorities appropriate for provincial-level action.
5. Facilitate a youth planning retreat and develop a draft three-year PYDP, including strategic priorities, objectives, strategies/actions, indicators, and implementation considerations.
6. Facilitate validation and stakeholder engagement leading to endorsement and integration of the final PYDP into relevant local governance and planning structures.
7. Present the final PYDP to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Lanao del Sur and support its presentation to relevant BARMM Parliament representatives.
   

Scope of Work and Key Activities

1. Inception, Review and Preparation

• Conduct an inception meeting with the project team and PLYDO and agree on the consultancy approach, schedule, roles, and expected outputs.
• Review relevant documents and existing plans, including the 20 Barangay Development Plans, LYDO/local youth development plans and priorities, and relevant project documentation from BE Models and Way to Peace.
• Map relevant youth organizations and planning stakeholders, including the 20 Way to Peace youth organizations, the four youth organizations previously organized through BE Models, and other youth organizations identified by the PLYDO.
• Develop consultation and FGD tools, participatory methods, and a detailed work plan for the consultancy.

2. Youth Consultations and Municipal-Level Planning

• Conduct focus group discussions and/or other appropriate participatory consultations with youth organizations to identify priorities, concerns, aspirations, and proposed solutions.
• Facilitate four municipal-level consultations and thematic workshops involving youth organizations, relevant LGU officials, planning stakeholders, and other youth representatives identified by the PLYDO.
• Ensure that the municipal-level process captures both common and municipality-specific youth priorities and links these with existing barangay and local development priorities.
• Document and synthesize consultation findings using appropriate participatory and analytical methods.

3. Analysis and Drafting of the PYDP

• Analyze the findings from youth consultations alongside the reviewed Barangay Development Plans and LYDO/local youth development priorities.
• Identify and consolidate priority youth development issues and opportunities across the four municipalities.
• Assess which priorities are best addressed at barangay, municipal, or provincial level and identify areas requiring provincial leadership or coordination.
• Facilitate a youth planning retreat to consolidate municipal inputs and agree on strategic provincial youth development priorities.
• Prepare a draft three-year PYDP, including a clear development framework, strategic objectives, priority areas, strategies/actions, indicators/targets, implementation arrangements, and other relevant planning elements.

4. Validation, Endorsement and Institutionalization

• Facilitate validation of the draft PYDP with youth representatives, LGU officials, planning stakeholders, PLYDO, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Revise the draft PYDP based on validation results and stakeholder inputs.
• Organize/support policy and stakeholder forums for endorsement and integration of youth priorities into the PYDP.
• Present the final PYDP to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Lanao del Sur.
• Support the presentation of the final PYDP to relevant BARMM Parliament representatives.

Protection, Safeguarding and Ethical Participation

The consultant shall ensure that all consultations, FGDs, interviews, workshops, and other engagements with young people are conducted in accordance with applicable protection, safeguarding, ethical, confidentiality, and data protection standards.

• Ensure participation is voluntary, informed, safe, inclusive, and respectful.
• Use appropriate consent and confidentiality procedures and avoid unnecessary collection or disclosure of personally identifiable or sensitive information.
• Apply safeguarding-sensitive facilitation approaches, particularly where discussions may involve conflict, violence, discrimination, vulnerability, or other sensitive experiences.
• Immediately refer any safeguarding or protection concern disclosed during the consultancy through the appropriate mechanisms established by the contracting organization and/or relevant authorities, as applicable.

Expected Deliverables

1. Inception Report and Work Plan, Within 1 week of engagement

Consultancy approach, methodology, consultation plan, stakeholder mapping, tools, schedule, and agreed outputs.

2. Consultation/FGD Tools and Documentation, November 2026

Final consultation tools, attendance/documentation, and emerging findings from the municipal consultations and FGDs.

3. Consolidated Youth Priorities and Analysis, Late November–December 2026

Synthesis of youth inputs, review of the 20 Barangay Development Plans and LYDO/local youth development priorities, and analysis of provincial-level priorities.

4. Draft Three-Year PYDP, December 2026

Draft plan developed through the youth planning retreat and informed by consultation and document review findings.

5. Validation and Revised PYDP, January 2027

Documentation of validation process and revised plan incorporating stakeholder feedback.

6. Final Three-Year PYDP, By 25 January 2027

Finalized provincial youth development plan suitable for endorsement and integration into relevant governance/planning structures.

7. Presentation Materials and Final Presentation, January 2027

Presentation materials and technical support for presentation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and relevant BARMM Parliament representatives.

Proposed Consultancy Period and Level of Effort

The consultancy will commence on 25 October 2026 and will run for approximately three (3) months, ending on or about 25 January 2027. The consultant shall propose a detailed work schedule that takes into account the availability of LGU and youth stakeholders and the December holiday period.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree or relevant professional qualification in development planning, social sciences, public administration, youth development, governance, peace and development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, drafting, reviewing, or facilitating local/provincial development plans, youth development plans, or similar policy/planning documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the youth situation and development context of Lanao del Sur, preferably with substantive experience working in Lanao del Sur and/or BARMM.
• Experience working with LGUs, youth organizations, local planning offices, and other community or government stakeholders.
• Strong experience in facilitating FGDs, consultations, participatory planning processes, and multi-stakeholder workshops.
• Strong research, analytical, synthesis, report-writing, and technical writing skills.
• Understanding of youth participation, inclusive governance, peacebuilding, protection, and safeguarding principles.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse youth and government stakeholders.

Management and Coordination

The consultant will work closely with the project team and the Provincial Local Youth Development Office (PLYDO). The consultant will coordinate the consultation schedule, stakeholder engagement, document review, planning sessions, validation, and presentation of outputs with designated focal persons.

The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with the project team, provide updates on progress and emerging issues, and incorporate agreed feedback into the deliverables.

Proposal Submission

Interested consultants are expected to submit a technical and financial proposal containing:

• Brief understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
• Proposed methodology and work plan.
• Curriculum Vitae highlighting relevant experience.
• At least two relevant examples of similar planning or policy documents developed/facilitated.
• Professional fee and other proposed costs, where applicable.

Selection Considerations

Selection will consider the consultant’s relevant technical qualifications and experience, demonstrated understanding of Lanao del Sur/BARMM and youth development, quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology, experience in participatory planning and technical writing, and overall value for the assignment.

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability

As a humanitarian organization, Relief International is committed to the safeguarding of all those we come into contact with through our work. We are committed to the core humanitarian principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Relief International expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviors outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Recruitment to all roles in Relief International includes a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checks.