Program Officer for Social Development - Philippines

Long-term contract
Localisation Philippines
Full remote
3 yrs of exp.
Posted on 08-07-2024

The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia.

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SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Officer provides program management and administrative support to ensure the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of activities and assessment of the Coalitions for Change (Phase 3) program. The Program Officer supports the Senior Program Officer and Strategic Advisor in ensuring effective implementation of activities intended to introduce reforms to improve developmental outcomes in the Philippines.

The Program Officer will help develop an innovative and entrepreneurial approach in expanding the Foundation’s Governance and Stability / Gender Equality / Social Development / Climate and Environment / Economic Reform program (depending on the preferred unit the candidate wishes to apply for), including helping identify emerging issues and new opportunities for possible programming. The Program Officer coordinates and engages with various partners in the implementation of a broad range of Governance and Stability/Gender Equality/Social Development/Climate and Environment programs under the Coalitions for Change program supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The Program Officer provides technical and administrative support to program activities and works with the Senior

Program Officer, Strategic Advisor, Program Leader, Finance staff, and other Foundation senior management; assists in the development and implementation of annual work plans, draft letters of agreement and contract in consultation with program partners and consultants, undertakes assistance to financial management, including assistance to budget forecasting, procurement and other tasks necessary for successful project implementation.

The Program Officer operates within a small team of program staff based in Manila and will be responsible for assisting in implementing, monitoring, and ensuring the quality of deliverables and achievement of the respective unit’s program goals and objectives.

Internal

Extensive interaction with the Strategic Advisor, the Senior Program Officer for Governance and Stability/Gender Equality/Social Development/Climate and Environment (depending on the preferred unit the candidate wishes to apply for), the reform program staff, the Coalitions for Change Program Management Team, Finance, Administration and Grants units, as well as staff based in other Asia Foundation offices and the headquarters in San Francisco, California.

External

Extensive interaction with grantees, consultants, civil society organizations, and government partners pursuing transformative reforms. Occasional interaction with Australian embassy staff and panel of advisors of Coalitions for Change. May also be called to meet with other programs or organizations that are interested to meet with Coalitions for Change.

Responsibilities

The Program Officer will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Under the guidance of the Strategic Advisor and the Senior Program Officer and working with the reform team, manage, plan, implement, and monitor assigned program areas;
  • Provide support to core program activities of the Coalitions for Change program related to the unit the candidate wishes to apply for
  • Prepare grant agreements, contracts and budgets and when required process amendments in a timely manner
  • Provide support in tracking programmatic and financial progress and troubleshoot implementation challenges
  • Provide inputs in developing guidelines, tools and reporting forms for effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning of project
  • Collaborate with internal and external evaluations
  • Undertake regular monitoring, and prepare feedback reports with conclusions and concrete recommendations
  • Provide support in identifying, hiring and managing consultants for partners’ capacity building trainings/mentoring sessions
  • Prepare progress reports, workplans, and other reports for donors and assist in proposalwriting processes as and when required
  • Liaise with relevant stakeholders to obtain information and data relating to programs being developed or those currently in implementation with an eye to suggest to the line management project amendments or/and for the development of project ideas and concepts
  • Ensure that activities and program are implemented in accordance with the Australian
  • Embassy and The Asia Foundation rules and regulations

Other Support

  • Assist in organizing Foundation-sponsored workshops, conferences, and meetings
  • Assist with program-related travel
  • Collaborate with other programs within the Foundation on specific assigned tasks
  • Other job responsibilities as may be assigned by the Senior Program Officer, Strategic Advisor, or Program Leader, Deputy Country Representative, and Country Representative
Profile

Qualifications

  • At least three years of professional experience with an undergraduate and/or master’s degree in a relevant or related field of study (depending on the preferred unit the candidate wishes to apply for).
  • A demonstrated strong commitment to and interest in addressing governance and stability/gender equality/social development/climate and environment (depending on the preferred unit the candidate wishes to apply for) issues in the Philippines
  • Knowledge of the Philippine economic issues and political economy, academic institutions,think tanks, NGO community and government agencies strongly preferred
  • Proven capacity to provide assistance, work with, and nurture relationships with government agencies, civil society organizations, the business sector at the national and local levels, and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Experience in project monitoring, financial and grants management and budget control, procurement, and assisting development projects implementation, and demonstrated ability to shift program strategies and approaches whenever necessary
  • Demonstrated experience in integrating cross-cutting issues and concerns including, but not limited to, climate change, GEDSI, risk management, child protection, etc.
  • Strong team player with progressive experience on technical and administrative program management support
  • Self-starter, with the ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and implement plans of action with minimal supervision
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Proficient in verbal and written communication skills in both English and Filipino
  • Strong time-management skills and professional organizational abilities
  • Proven interpersonal and intercultural skills and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse range of stakeholders
  • Knowledge of DFAT and other international donor agency requirements and regulations preferred