KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Security Specialist for Subnational Establishment

Reports to: Subnational Lead

Direct Reports: None

Location: Manila, with travel to three subnational sites in Occidental Mindoro, Leyte and Davao Oriental

Duration: June 2026 to August 2026, up to 20 days total

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 Security Specialist for Subnational Establishment will provide time-bound technical support to SPRING to assess, design and strengthen security arrangements for the establishment of subnational offices in Occidental Mindoro, Leyte and Davao Oriental. The role will lead the security scoping and strategy development required for safe and secure subnational operations, including assessment of office locations, travel and movement considerations, evacuation arrangements, emergency communication options, and compliance with DFAT and Cowater security and duty-of-care requirements. The specialist will also recommend an appropriate approach for ongoing security monitoring and reporting, including whether this function is best delivered through a firm or an individual OSINT consultant, and will support the updating of the SPRING Security Plan in coordination with the subnational and operations team, including the Security Focal Point.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Security Specialist will lead the security scoping and planning required for SPRING’s subnational presence and provide practical recommendations to support safe establishment and operation of subnational offices.

1. Conduct security scoping and strategy development for the establishment of, and travel to, SPRING subnational offices, including assessment of physical office spaces, co-location arrangements within government offices, access and movement routes, evacuation options, emergency communications, and other relevant duty-of-care considerations.

2. Develop practical security recommendations and protocols for subnational operations that align with DFAT and Cowater security policies, standards and requirements, and provide guidance to SPRING’s subnational program managers and operations team on their application.

3. Recommend the most suitable approach for ongoing security monitoring and reporting for Manila and subnational offices, including the scope, frequency and format of reporting, and advise whether this function should be delivered through a specialist firm or an individual OSINT consultant.

4. Identify and incorporate relevant sources of security information, including available local briefings and situational updates, to inform risk analysis for SPRING’s subnational sites and travel.

5. Support the update of the SPRING Security Plan based on the findings of the security scoping and agreed operating approach, working closely with the SPRING subnational team, operations team and Security Focal Point.

DELIVERABLES / OUTPUTS

• An inception note and workplan setting out the proposed methodology, priority security issues, consultations, and timeline for completion of the assignment, to be submitted within the first week of commencement.

• A security scoping and strategy report for SPRING’s subnational offices and related travel, including assessment of office locations, movement considerations, evacuation arrangements, key risks, and recommended mitigation measures, to be submitted by the end of the first month of the assignment.

• A recommended approach for ongoing security monitoring and reporting, including advice on the preferred delivery model (specialist firm or individual consultant), proposed reporting frequency, indicative content, and potential information sources, to be submitted together with or shortly following the security scoping and strategy report.

• Draft inputs to the updated SPRING Security Plan, including any required protocols, procedures, or guidance notes for subnational operations, to be provided by mid-to-late assignment following agreement on the recommended security approach.

• A final briefing or presentation to the SPRING subnational and operations team summarising findings, recommendations, and priority actions, to be delivered at the conclusion of the assignment in July 2026.

TIMELINE

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A degree in security management, risk management, international development, public administration, conflict or peace studies, or another relevant discipline; or equivalent demonstrated professional experience in lieu of formal qualifications.

Minimum Experience

• Demonstrated experience providing security risk assessments, security planning, or duty-of-care support for field operations, preferably in the Philippines and ideally in conflict-affected, disaster-prone, or geographically remote areas.

• Experience developing or advising on security protocols, travel risk management measures, incident reporting arrangements, and emergency or evacuation procedures for program or office operations.

• Experience working with donor-funded programs, international organisations, or contractors with formal security and safeguarding compliance requirements is highly desirable.

Key Abilities and Skills

• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement, with the ability to assess evolving security conditions and translate them into practical, context-appropriate recommendations for program operations.

• Knowledge of security conditions, conflict dynamics, disaster risks, and government operating environments in the Philippines, with the ability to engage effectively with local counterparts and relevant security information sources.

• Ability to provide clear guidance, briefings and written advice to non-security specialists, including program managers and operations staff, and to work collaboratively in fast-moving and time-sensitive contexts.

• 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 process. Applications will be reviewed and assessed on an ongoing basis as they are received, and the position may be filled once a suitable candidate is identified. We encourage interested individuals to apply as early as possible.

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements of this Terms of Reference (ToR), including relevant qualifications, demonstrated experience in security risk assessment, security planning, duty-of-care support for field operations, and availability to support the assignment timeline. Selection will be undertaken on a merit basis, taking into account the candidate's suitability for the role and value for money.

As part of the assessment process, shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in a brief discussion to clarify their experience, suitability for the role, availability, and proposed daily rate. 

Before engagement, the preferred candidate will be required to complete all relevant due diligence checks, including reference checks and confirmation of their ability to comply with applicable DFAT and Cowater requirements relating to safeguarding, child protection, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), fraud control, security, and other relevant policies.

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

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

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.

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.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.