Terms of Reference for Consultant: Usability assessment of the SEC HARBOR system

Terms of Reference for Consultant: Usability assessment of the SEC HARBOR system

Open Ownership seeks a consultant to design and conduct a usability assessment of the Hierarchical and Applicable Relations and Beneficial Ownership Registry (HARBOR), in collaboration with Open Ownership and the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines (SEC). The consultant will:

• Review background materials and draft a user testing plan
• Conduct user testing and analysis
• Develop findings and practical recommendations

Launched earlier this year, HARBOR is the Philippines’ beneficial ownership (BO) registry system operated by SEC. HARBOR was designed to improve access to BO information and simplify business compliance.

The purpose of this consultancy is to design and conduct user testing with declarants to understand how corporations of different sizes, industries, and ownership structures experience HARBOR when meeting their BO reporting and compliance obligations.

We are open to bids from individuals or consulting firms. Applicants should take into consideration the proposed budget while preparing their applications. Please note that we can only consider applications from those based in the Philippines for this project.

The successful supplier must demonstrate experience of having delivered user research project(s) in the past, ideally in a government setting.

Full details: Read the full Terms of Reference.

Assignment details

The consultancy is anticipated to take place over a three-month period from October-December 2026. These dates are indicative and may be adjusted in consultation with the selected candidate at project kick-off.

The consultant will be paid USD 400-500 per day, depending on experience, for up to 20 working days (maximum budget of USD 10,000), subject to satisfactory completion and approval of agreed deliverables.

Content of proposals

To apply, contractors should submit:

• CV highlighting relevant experience in user research, digital systems, and research with government, regulated entities, or other complex organisations.
• A cover letter that should include at least one specific example of a relevant project or piece of work that demonstrates the applicant’s experience in user testing.

Based on the bids received, we will include at least one round of interviews with selected bidders as part of the selection process.

If you have any questions about the contents of the Terms of Reference, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for clarification. Questions must be sent by 23:59 (UTC), 7 October 2026.

The application deadline is 23:59 (UTC), 11 October 2026.