UNICEF is inviting applications to support the costing of local child protection system models in the Philippines under the KALINGA programme and TUSIP initiative. The project focuses on developing costed plans, strengthening budgeting systems, and building local capacity to improve financing and delivery of child protection services.

UNICEF Call for Applications – Costing Child Protection Systems (Philippines)

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is seeking an implementing partner to support the costing and integration of Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS) at the local level in selected areas of the Philippines. The initiative is part of broader efforts to improve child protection, governance, and public finance systems.

Program Overview and Objectives

This initiative focuses on strengthening child protection system planning, budgeting, and financing through evidence-based approaches. It supports the development of costed, multi-year CPSS (KALINGA) programme plans aligned with national and local priorities.

Key objectives include:

Developing and endorsing costed CPSS/KALINGA plans
Integrating child protection priorities into local planning and budgeting systems
Building capacity in Child Budget Expenditure Tagging and Tracking (CBETT)
Improving evidence on costs of integrated child protection services
Strengthening governance, coordination, and service delivery systems

Key Focus Areas

The initiative operates within:

Child Protection Systems

Strengthening integrated protection services
Improving prevention and response to violence against children

Public Finance and Governance

Enhancing budgeting and financial tracking for child protection
Integrating CPSS priorities into local investment plans

Capacity Building

Training LGU staff on CBETT and costing methodologies
Strengthening technical and institutional capacity

Program Framework and Partnerships

The project is implemented under:

TUSIP (Towards Universal Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Indo-Pacific)

Key partners include:

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Selected Local Government Units (LGUs), including:
- Catbalogan City
- Brooke’s Point, Palawan

The initiative also supports the KALINGA programme, which addresses child protection and prevention of child, early, and forced marriage and unions.

Problem Statement

The initiative addresses critical gaps in child protection systems:

Limited data on costs of integrated child protection services
Weak capacity of LGUs to develop costed plans and budgets
Fragmented service delivery systems
Challenges in mobilizing sustainable financing

These issues limit the effectiveness of child protection interventions at the local level.

Key Activities and Implementation Scope

The selected partner will:

Develop multi-year costed CPSS plans for participating LGUs
Integrate cost estimates into Annual Investment Plans and budgeting tools
Conduct capacity-building training on CBETT and costing methodologies
Support governance and coordination mechanisms
Strengthen community-based prevention and referral pathways
Generate evidence on resource requirements and financing gaps

Expected Results

The initiative aims to achieve:

Endorsed and operational costed CPSS plans
Improved alignment of child protection priorities with local budgets
Increased capacity of at least 20 LGU technical staff
Stronger integration of child protection into planning processes
Better evidence for policy and financing decisions

Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators

Key indicators include:

Number of LGUs with costed CPSS plans
Integration of CPSS priorities into local budgeting tools
Number of trained LGU staff and knowledge improvements
Evidence of improved budgeting and planning practices
Use of data for decision-making and monitoring

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

Be qualified organizations (NGOs, CSOs, or institutions)
Have expertise in:
- Child protection systems
- Public finance and budgeting
- Capacity building and technical assistance
Demonstrate experience working with local governments
Show strong implementation and reporting capacity

Applicants should have the ability to manage multi-stakeholder partnerships.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare a strong application:

Review the Terms of Reference (ToR)
Develop a proposal aligned with CPSS and KALINGA objectives
Define a clear methodology for costing and capacity building
Include a strong monitoring and evaluation framework
Demonstrate experience in governance and public finance
Submit the application through UNICEF’s official system

Applications should be evidence-based, technically sound, and results-driven.

Why This Initiative Matters

This initiative strengthens child protection systems and financing at the local level.

Improves prevention and response to violence against children
Supports evidence-based budgeting and planning
Strengthens local governance and accountability
Enhances coordination across sectors
Promotes sustainable financing for child protection

By improving financial planning, the program ensures that resources are effectively allocated to protect children.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lack of technical expertise in costing and public finance
Weak alignment with CPSS and TUSIP priorities
Inadequate monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Limited stakeholder engagement strategies
Failure to demonstrate impact on local systems

Strong proposals are clear, data-driven, and aligned with system-strengthening goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is CPSS?
Child Protection Systems Strengthening, a framework to improve integrated child protection services.

What is CBETT?
Child Budget Expenditure Tagging and Tracking, a system for monitoring spending on children.

Where will the project be implemented?
In selected LGUs in the Philippines, including Catbalogan City and Brooke’s Point.

Who can apply?
Organizations with expertise in child protection, public finance, and capacity building.

What are the main outputs?
Costed CPSS plans, trained LGU staff, and improved budgeting systems.

Why is costing important?
It helps governments plan budgets, allocate resources, and ensure sustainability.

What is the duration of the project?
Not explicitly stated, but focused on multi-year planning outputs.

Conclusion

The UNICEF initiative on costing child protection systems represents a critical step toward improving planning, budgeting, and financing for child protection in the Philippines. By strengthening local capacity and generating evidence, the program supports sustainable, integrated systems that better protect children and address issues such as violence and early marriage.