Consultant for Documentation of First-Time Voters’ Perspectives

Relief International; Makati; On-site; PHP 670,000 - 1,004,000; Part time

Job summary

Relief International’s Y-LEAD BARMM programme seeks a skilled journalist to craft an engaging feature article capturing first-time voters’ voices after the 24 September 2026 elections. The consultant will review FGDs, identify themes, and highlight youth reflections within a safe, neutral framework.

You will work with RI and Y-LEAD teams between 15 Oct and 13 Nov 2026, producing a draft of 1,500–2,000 words and a final publication-ready piece.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in journalism, feature writing, communications, qualitative research or documentation.
• Strong writing and editing skills in English.
• Experience conducting or analysing interviews and/or FGDs.
• Ability to transform qualitative findings into compelling narratives.
• Experience working with youth and/or development programmes is an advantage.
• Understanding of the BARMM context is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and politically sensitive documentation.

Responsibilities

• Review relevant Y-LEAD programme materials and documentation.
• Review and analyse the findings from the four FGDs.
• Identify key themes, insights and notable similarities or differences across the four schools.
• Capture the perspectives and experiences of youth peer facilitators involved in the voter education activities.
• Identify compelling participant voices and quotations for inclusion in the article.
• Conduct limited follow-up interviews or consultations where necessary to clarify or enrich the findings.
• Develop a coherent and engaging feature article suitable for publication and external communication.
• Revise the draft based on feedback from Y-LEAD/RI and submit a final publication-ready version.

Skills

Journalism

Feature writing

Qualitative research

Interviewing

Youth engagement

Safeguarding awareness

Job description

Background

The Youth Leadership and Engagement in Democracy (Y-LEAD) BARMM programme supports meaningful youth participation in democratic processes and promotes informed and responsible civic engagement.

As part of its voter education activities, Y-LEAD conducted peer-led voter education sessions in four schools, reaching approximately 250 students, many of whom were first-time voters.

Following the September 24, 2026 elections, Y-LEAD will conduct four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), one in each participating school, to capture young people's experiences, reflections and perspectives on their first participation in the electoral process.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop an engaging, evidence-based feature article that captures the voices, experiences, feelings and reflections of first-time voters following the election and their participation in Y-LEAD's voter education activities.

The article should go beyond describing the activities. It should explore what young people learned, experienced and felt, how they understood their first voting experience, and how they see their role in democratic and civic participation moving forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Review relevant Y-LEAD programme materials and documentation.
• Review and analyse the findings from the four FGDs.
• Identify key themes, insights and notable similarities or differences across the four schools.
• Capture the perspectives and experiences of youth peer facilitators involved in the voter education activities.
• Identify compelling participant voices and quotations for inclusion in the article.
• Conduct limited follow-up interviews or consultations where necessary to clarify or enrich the findings.
• Develop a coherent and engaging feature article suitable for publication and external communication.
• Revise the draft based on feedback from Y-LEAD/RI and submit a final publication-ready version.

Key Areas of Focus

• Young people's feelings and experiences of casting their first vote;
• What they learned through voter education;
• Their preparedness and confidence as first-time voters;
• How peer-led voter education influenced their understanding of voting and civic responsibility;
• Experiences and reflections of youth peer facilitators;
• Young people's expectations and aspirations following the election, and

Their views on the role of young people in democratic and civic life beyond elections.

The consultant should identify emerging themes and insights across the four schools, rather than simply summarising individual FGDs.

Political Neutrality

The consultant shall maintain strict political neutrality throughout the assignment.

The final output shall not identify, promote or criticise political parties, candidates or individual politicians by name. Participants shall not be asked to disclose their preferred candidates, political affiliations or voting choices.

The article shall focus on young people's experiences, learning, civic participation and aspirations.

Safeguarding and Protection

The consultant shall comply with applicable Relief International and Y-LEAD safeguarding, protection, ethical and code of conduct requirements and apply a do-no-harm approach.

• Ensure that engagement with participants is safe, respectful and inclusive;
• Obtain appropriate informed consent and, where applicable, parental/guardian consent and participant assent;
• Protect participants' privacy, confidentiality and personal information;
• Avoid questions or documentation that may expose participants to political, social or security risks;
• Obtain appropriate consent for the use of names, quotations, photographs, recordings or personal stories; and
• Report any safeguarding or protection concerns through the appropriate mechanisms.

Branding and Visibility

All outputs shall comply with applicable branding and visibility requirements of DFAT, Relief International (RI) and UNYPAD.

Use of organisational names, logos, photographs and other visibility materials shall be subject to applicable guidelines and prior approval by the designated Y-LEAD/RI focal person.

Deliverables

• Brief work plan and proposed approach;
• Summary of key findings and themes emerging from the four FGDs;
• Draft feature article of approximately 1,500–2,000 words; and
• Final publication-ready feature article, incorporating consolidated feedback from Y-LEAD/RI.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the Y-LEAD BARMM Project Manager and coordinate closely with the Y-LEAD team throughout the assignment.

All major deliverables shall be subject to review and approval by Y-LEAD/RI.

The consultancy will run from 15 October to 13 November 2026.

The assignment will be undertaken following the 24 September 2026 election, allowing participants time to reflect on their first voting experience. The detailed work schedule, including the review of the four FGDs, analysis, drafting and finalization of the feature article, will be agreed with the Y-LEAD BARMM Project Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in journalism, feature writing, communications, qualitative research or documentation;
• Strong writing and editing skills in English;
• Experience conducting or analysing interviews and/or FGDs;
• Ability to transform qualitative findings into compelling narratives;
• Experience working with youth and/or development programmes is an advantage;
• Understanding of the BARMM context is desirable; and
• Demonstrated understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and politically sensitive documentation.

RI 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.