KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: First Nations Engagement Adviser

Reports to: GEDSI Lead, with dotted line to DTL

Direct Reports: None

Location: Home based with travel to Manila

Duration: Up to 25 input days over 12 months

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING supports efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines. 

SPRING contributes to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.

The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities. 

SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs): 

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The First Nations Engagement Adviser will support SPRING to operationalise its First Nations Participation Plan in a practical, culturally safe and proportionate way during Year 3. The role will help establish the foundations for meaningful First Nations engagement across the program, with an emphasis on internal capability, careful planning, relationship-based engagement, and identifying realistic entry points for future collaboration. In line with the Year 3 Work Plan, the Adviser will support a small Community of Practice, advise on First Nations principles in activity design and delivery, support a procurement scan for First Nations suppliers where relevant, and provide targeted advice on potential knowledge exchange opportunities that align with SPRING’s reform pathways and Government of the Philippines and DFAT interest.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Adviser will provide technical advice, facilitation and practical support to ensure First Nations engagement is embedded thoughtfully across SPRING systems and selected activities, without overextending the workstream in Year 3. Responsibilities will include the following, but may evolve throughout the year based on SPRING priorities:

1. Operationalise the First Nations Participation Plan in Year 3

• Review SPRING First Nations Participation Plan, Annual Work Plan and other relevant documentation 

• Consult with SPRING team, DFAT and other relevant parties to agree priorities and timelines 

• Prepare and agree a work plan that will translate SPRING’s First Nations Participation Plan into realistic Year 3 actions, including internal orientation, simple guidance for activity teams, and advice on applying First Nations principles in planning, engagement and delivery.

2. Provide practical technical advice on culturally safe and proportionate First Nations engagement

• Advise the GEDSI Lead, Deputy Team Leader and relevant technical leads on culturally safe engagement approaches, including respectful language, consent, attribution, remuneration, reciprocity and do-no-harm considerations.
• Support the establishment and early facilitation of a small, fit-for-purpose Community of Practice or learning mechanism for SPRING staff, advisers and selected partners, focused on practical knowledge sharing rather than large-scale external engagement.
• Review selected activity concepts, tasking notes or ToRs to identify realistic opportunities to reduce barriers to First Nations participation, strengthen inclusion and avoid tokenistic engagement.
• Support a light procurement scan and advice on appropriate engagement with First Nations suppliers, organisations or advisers where relevant to SPRING-supported activities, while recognising local and regional sourcing as the first preference.
• Identify and advise on a small number of potential knowledge exchange opportunities that align with SPRING reform pathways, Government of the Philippines interest, DFAT priorities and available resources.
• Prepare short advice notes, talking points or briefing materials to support SPRING decision-making on First Nations engagement, including risks, safeguards, feasibility and sequencing.
• Support reflection and learning on First Nations engagement, including documenting lessons, practical challenges and recommendations for future annual work planning.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Relevant tertiary qualification in international development, public policy, Indigenous studies, social sciences, community development, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, or a related field; or equivalent professional and community-based experience.
• Postgraduate qualifications are desirable but not essential where the candidate can demonstrate strong relevant professional expertise and lived or community-engaged experience.

Minimum Experience

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in First Nations engagement, Indigenous-led development, international development, public policy, GEDSI, community engagement, or related advisory roles.
• Demonstrated experience working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations, knowledge holders or community-led organisations.
• Experience advising programs or organisations on culturally safe engagement, Indigenous participation, partnership approaches, consent, safeguarding and ethical knowledge sharing.
• Experience supporting practical implementation of strategies, action plans or participation plans in complex, adaptive or donor-funded programs, with DFAT-funded international development program experience highly desirable.
• Experience facilitating learning sessions, communities of practice, workshops or reflective processes with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working on DFAT-funded or other Australian Government-funded international development programs is highly desirable, particularly in advisory, GEDSI, localisation, safeguarding, Indigenous engagement, knowledge exchange, or program quality roles.
• Where candidates have not worked directly on DFAT-funded programs, comparable experience in First Nations-led organisations, Indigenous governance or policy, community-led sectors, cross-cultural partnership brokering, or international/community development will be considered.
• Familiarity with DFAT policy settings, Australian development priorities, or the practical requirements of donor-funded program delivery, including quality assurance, risk, safeguarding and reporting, would be an advantage.

Key Abilities and Skills

• Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, governance, rights, self-determination, cultural safety and ethical engagement principles.
• Ability to provide pragmatic advice that balances ambition with feasibility, program mandate, partner readiness, risk, resources and timing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise advice notes, briefing materials, guidance, facilitation plans and learning products.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building and listening skills, with the ability to work respectfully across cultures, disciplines and institutional settings.
• Sound judgement in managing sensitive issues, including cultural protocols, representation, intellectual and cultural property, consent, attribution, confidentiality and reputational risk.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles, with knowledge or experience in promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion especially within adaptive programs like SPRING. This includes a clear understanding of and practical experience in safeguarding, particularly in the context of child protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), with the ability to integrate safeguarding measures into program implementation. 

• Compliance to DFAT policies on fraud control, financing terrorism, child protection and other social safeguards

APPLICATION PROCESS 

This is a rolling recruitment for an identified role for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates. Applications will be reviewed and vetted sequentially as they are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible. 

This position is identified for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be able to bring relevant cultural, professional, community or advisory expertise to support SPRING’s First Nations engagement work. 

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position. 

Please send your cover letter addressing the position selection criteria and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to hr@springphilippines.org, mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line “SPRING First Nations Engagement Adviser” or apply online. 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women, persons with disability, and candidates with diverse lived and professional experience are encouraged to apply. 

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. Persons with disabilities may send a request for reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process to hr@springphilippines.org. 

Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. 

Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery. 

Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks. 

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted. 

About Us 

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.