Deadline: 11-Feb-2026

UNICEF Philippines invites expressions of interest to support the development of a national guidebook focused on school safety and education continuity management. The initiative aims to equip school heads, teachers, learners, and local education officials with practical tools, digital resources, and training to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies in the Philippine education system.

Project Overview

This initiative focuses on strengthening school safety, education continuity, and disaster preparedness within the Philippine education system, particularly in the Calabarzon Region IV-A. The project integrates:

• Education in emergencies (EiE) frameworks

• School safety protocols and drills

• Education continuity management

• Disaster risk reduction and management strategies

The project’s main output will be a user-friendly, visually engaging DepEd CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook, supported by orientation tools, digital IEC materials, and structured micro-courses for capacity building.

Target Areas and Beneficiaries

• Primary beneficiaries: School heads, teachers, learners, and local education officials

• Secondary beneficiaries: Local government units, parents, and communities

• Regional focus: Calabarzon Region IV-A, including both schools and division/regional DepEd offices

Key Activities and Deliverables

The project will implement the following activities:

1. Guidebook Development: Design a practical and accessible Pillar 2 Guidebook in print and digital formats.

2. Orientation Materials: Produce tools to support school-level implementation.

3. Digital IEC Materials: Develop information, education, and communication resources aligned with DepEd protocols.

4. Micro-Courses: Create structured digital learning modules for teachers and learners.

5. Capacity Strengthening: Train school heads, teachers, learners, and local education officials on school safety and education continuity practices.

6. Institutionalization: Support consistent implementation of disaster risk management practices across regional and division levels.

7. Field Testing and Refinement: Conduct pilot testing of IEC materials and guidebook content to ensure usability and effectiveness.

Indicative Budget

• Total budget: $90,000

• Covers: Project management, technical support, guidebook development, stakeholder consultations, field testing, layout and printing, digital dissemination, and official launch activities.

Project Timeline

• Duration: 10 months, starting March 2026

• Key milestone: Target launch of the main guidebook in mid-October 2026, in observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Follow-up: Field testing and refinement of digital IEC materials post-launch

Who is Eligible?

The call is open to organizations and experts with:

• Experience in education in emergencies, disaster risk reduction, or school safety management

• Capacity to develop print and digital learning resources

• Ability to conduct capacity-building activities for teachers, school officials, and learners

• Knowledge of DepEd protocols and experience collaborating with regional and division education offices

Why It Matters

This initiative addresses critical gaps in the Philippine education system by:

• Providing a practical framework for school safety and continuity during emergencies

• Strengthening the capacity of schools and local education offices to respond effectively to disasters

• Improving coordination and resilience for learners, parents, and communities

• Supporting the institutionalization of disaster risk management practices across all levels of education

How to Apply / Submission Process

1. Prepare EOI: Include organizational capacity, prior experience, and technical approach to guidebook development.

2. Describe proposed outputs: Outline planned guidebook content, digital IEC materials, and capacity-building strategies.

3. Provide budget and timeline: Ensure alignment with the $90,000 indicative budget and 10-month schedule.

4. Submit application: Follow UNICEF Philippines’ official submission guidelines and deadlines.

5. Evaluation: EOIs will be assessed based on technical expertise, capacity for delivery, and alignment with project objectives.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incomplete or vague EOIs

• Lack of experience in school safety, EiE, or disaster risk management

• Insufficient details on digital resources or capacity-building approach

• Non-compliance with budget or timeline requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main deliverable of this initiative?
   The DepEd CSSF Pillar 2 Guidebook in print and digital formats, supported by orientation tools and digital IEC materials.

2. Who are the primary beneficiaries?
   School heads, teachers, learners, and local education officials in Calabarzon Region IV-A.

3. What is the project duration?
   Ten months, starting in March 2026.

4. What is the budget for the project?
   $90,000, covering technical support, guidebook development, training, field testing, and dissemination.

5. Will digital resources be included?
   Yes, digital IEC materials and micro-courses will complement the guidebook for enhanced learning and implementation.

6. How will the project be institutionalized?
   Through consistent implementation across regional and division DepEd offices, and capacity-building for school personnel.

7. When is the guidebook scheduled for launch?
   Mid-October 2026, coinciding with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Conclusion

UNICEF Philippines’ call for expressions of interest supports the development of a national guidebook to improve school safety, education continuity, and disaster preparedness. By equipping educators and education officials with practical tools, digital resources, and training, this initiative strengthens resilience, coordination, and institutional capacity in the Philippine education system.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.