Content Development Consultant (Writer/Researcher)

 8-month consultancy engagement

EDUCO x UNICEF CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook

About Educo Philippines

EDUCO is a global development and humanitarian organization working to advance children’s rights and well-being in more than 18 countries worldwide for 30 years. In Asia, Educo operates in Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, EDUCO started its program of operation in 2005 and partners with over 105 schools across 107 barangays in Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Cotabato, reaching around 35,000 children and young people.

Educo Philippines is seeking a highly motivated Content Development Consultant (Writer/Researcher) for Educo’s special project under the UNICEF partnership.

1. Background

EDUCO Philippines has secured a partnership with UNICEF on a fixed-term project entitled, “Strengthening School Safety and Education Continuity through the Development and Field-Testing of DepEd’s CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook” 

[Excerpt from the Concept Note from UNICEF, January 2026] 

The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to building a more resilient education sector that can withstand the challenges posed by frequent disasters, emergencies, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. According to the 2025 World Risk Index, the Philippines has been ranked as the world’s most disaster-prone country for four consecutive years, with thousands of schools regularly affected by typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, armed conflict, biohazards, and other hazards. In response, the country adopted the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) 2022 – 2030 to ensure that learning environments remain safe, protected, and uninterrupted during crises. The CSSF 2022 – 2030 likewise aligns with key international frameworks, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, and offers a holistic approach for safeguarding learners, educators, and education systems. 

In line with this commitment, UNICEF supported DepEd in developing the Pillar 1: Safer Learning Facilities Guidebook—a practical resource designed to help school communities plan, assess, improve, and maintain safer learning environments. Anchored on Pillar 1 of the CSSF, the guidebook provides clear and actionable guidance on improving the safety, inclusivity, and climate responsiveness of schools. By doing so, it ensures that every child can continue to access quality education in environments that remain protected and resilient, even in the face of disasters and other disruptions. 

To further strengthen school level disaster management, UNICEF has committed to supporting DepEd in developing the next volume: the CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook on School Safety and Educational Continuity Management. Pillar 2 focuses on embedding disaster risk reduction into school governance by helping schools identify and reduce risks; implement effective preventive and preparedness measures; ensure timely, coordinated, and appropriate responses; and support recovery and the continuity of learning after crises. The Pillar 2 Guidebook will serve as a standardized reference that consolidates DepEd policies and international standards aimed at addressing inconsistent capacities and practices at the school level, while still providing space for good practices to be recognized and strengthened. 

The Guidebook will include templates, checklists, and step-by-step procedures that can be easily adopted at the school level. These ready-to-use tools will cover areas such as risk assessment, inclusive emergency drills, evacuation planning, cluster coordination, and coordination with local government units. 

Key aspects of Pillar 2 include: 

  • Safety Planning: Implementing school-level disaster management plans; 
  • Risk Mitigation: Identifying, assessing, and reducing risks within the school environment; 
  • Continuity of Learning: Developing strategies to continue education during and after emergencies; and 
  • Coordination: Connecting school-level plans with local, regional, and national emergency management systems. 

The Guidebook is envisioned as a living document, adaptable to evolving risks and contexts, and informed by lessons from past emergencies. By aligning with global best practices, it will reinforce DepEd’s institutional capacity to safeguard learners and ensure the continuity of education. The development of the guidebook will follow a participatory approach, engaging relevant national government agencies, local government units, UN Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and resource mobilization. Once officially launched, DepEd will conduct orientation sessions to equip school heads, teachers, and education officials with the knowledge and tools needed to apply the Guidebook effectively. UNICEF seeks collaboration in providing technical expertise, mobilizing resources, and facilitating knowledge exchange to maximize the Guidebook’s impact and sustainability. 
 

2. Objective of the Assignment   

The Content Development Consultant (Writer and Researcher) will lead, manage, and oversee the writing process of the CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook at all stages of materials development – from the inception phase to the finalization/publication. 

3. Scope of Work

Under the supervision of Educo Philippines, with technical inputs from UNICEF and DepEd partners, the consultant will:  

  • Conduct desk review of existing memorandum, frameworks, policies, and related standards and guidelines of DepEd in relation to school safety and learning continuity 
  • Lead the overall writing process of the CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook including adjustment of iterative drafts, alignment with the guidebook outline, quality assurance processes (content, language, and proofreading), and proper documentation 
  • Document and consolidate agreements and iterative discussions, and revise the guidebook based on agreements/comments from Educo, UNICEF, DepEd, outputs during small and broad consultation workshops, and relevant validation or field-testing processes 
  • Work closely with the layout artist for the overall look and consistency of content in the guidebook, including mock-ups  
  • Present versions of the guidebook derived from the inputs/comments/feedback and submit final print-ready, digital-ready, and editable source files.  

4. Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to produce the following:  

  • Initial workplan 
  • First draft of the Guidebook 
  • Iterative/revised drafts of the Guidebook, incorporating comments, suggestions, and recommendations by concerned stakeholders, with well documented progress or summary of the changes from old versions to the latest versions 
  • Final print-ready Guidebook with editable source files and final outputs.

5. Duration and Arrangement

  • This is an output-based consultancy/service contract that will run for eight (8) months until February 27, 2027, aligned with the approved budget of this partnership with UNICEF. 

6. Experience and Qualifications

  • A degree in development studies, research, sociology, education, communications, development communication, disaster risk reduction, or any related field;   
  • Experience working with NGOs, government (particularly DepEd), or UN agencies is an advantage.   
  • Strong technical writing skills and ability to communicate complex ideas clearly 
  • Strong active listening skills, collaboration, and ability to synthesize discussion points across different stakeholders  
  • Proven experience in writing learning materials for development, education, humanitarian, or public sector projects;   
  • Must be available during on-site activities of the project in Manila and during coordination with DepEd Central Office and UNICEF  
  • Willingness to travel across multiple regions for the consultation workshops, field testing, and other meetings  
  • Knowledge on education in emergencies, child protection in emergencies, disaster management cycle, school safety, and DepEd processes and mechanisms, is an advantage 

7. Reporting Lines 

  • The Content Development Consultant (Writer) will report directly to the EDUCO Project Manager, as well as UNICEF and DepEd representatives, as needed.

8. Work Arrangement and Travel Requirements

This is a hybrid work arrangement, with a mix of remote and in-person activities (as needed). The consultant is expected to be present and willing to travel during major in-person activities including consultation workshops, technical group meetings with DepEd & UNICEF, and field validation activities across various regions in the Philippines. The project budget will cover operational costs for travel during the field-testing activities, including flights, accommodation, local travel, and meals.  


9. Payment Terms 

Compensation will be provided on a staggered basis, depending on the deliverables set for each tranche or schedule of payment stipulated in the service contract. EDUCO will withhold applicable taxes for this engagement and will be remitted to the government. 


10. Proprietorship, Confidentiality, and Safeguarding 

All outputs produced under this assignment shall remain the property of Educo Philippines. The consultant shall maintain confidentiality in overall project documents and draft materials and shall comply with Educo’s safeguarding, child protection, and ethical standards throughout the assignment. Any breach may result in termination of employment. 

11. Submission Requirements 

Please send your CV/resume, along with at least three (3) sample outputs which may include guidebooks, manuals, technical reports, research, or any developed learning resource like the nature of this engagement, to the People and Culture Department at [email protected]  

Applications will be accepted on or before 18 June 2026.