KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Program Officer – Flexible / Roving (Cross-Portfolio Support)

Reports to: Social Protection and Subnational Governance Lead, with matrix reporting responsibility to GEDSI Lead

Direct Reports: None

Functional alignment: One of three Program Officer roles supporting SPRING, with:

• Program Officer – GEDSI (EOPOs 3 & 4)
• Program Officer – Social Protection and Subnational Governance (covering EOPOs 1 & 2)
• Program Officer – Flexible/Roving (this role, supporting all leads and EOPOs, on needs basis)

Location: Manila, Philippines

Duration: One year, renewable annually based on performance and program needs

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 Program Officer – Flexible/Roving provides adaptive program and activity management support across SPRING’s workstreams, responding to fluctuating delivery demands in Social Protection, Subnational Governance and GEDSI.

The role focuses on providing surge and gap-filling support across SPRING work streams for day-to-day delivery of activities, including work planning and activity design support, MEL inputs and reporting, logistics and procurement coordination, consultant engagement and management, and budget tracking and reporting, under the direction of relevant technical leads

The role is also expected to provide substantive program support as required, including preparation of document drafts, synthesis of meeting notes and technical inputs, tracking of activity decisions, risks and follow-up actions, and maintenance of documentation needed for timely implementation, reporting and learning. 

The position plays a key role in maintaining delivery momentum during peak implementation periods, covering staff absences, supporting new areas of work, and strengthening coordination across workstreams and EOPOs.

While primarily delivery‑focused, the role offers exposure to multiple technical areas and government partners, providing a strong platform for broad‑based learning and skill development across SPRING’s policy, systems and service delivery agenda.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program and Activity Management 

• Coordinate the planning, scheduling and delivery of SPRING activities, in line with approved work plans and technical guidance from the Social Protection & Subnational Governance Lead, GEDSI Lead and Social Protection Manager.
• Support the development and updating of annual and quarterly work plans, activity budgets and implementation schedules for SP, subnational and GEDSI investments.
• Support the full activity cycle, including but not limited to the preparation of activity TORs, Activity Budget Forms, procurement requests, implementation tracking, completion documentation, payment support and filing of final deliverables.
• Track activity progress against milestones, manage risks and follow up actions to support timely and effective delivery.
• Coordinate procurement processes, including preparation of scopes of work, requests for quotations/proposals, and liaison with the operations team.
• Support budget monitoring and expenditure tracking for SP, subnational and GEDSI activities, flagging variances and risks to relevant leads.
• Lead logistical coordination for SP, subnational and GEDSI-related workshops, consultations, training activities and fieldwork, including venue arrangements, travel and participant coordination.

Consultant and Partner Management

• Support the engagement and management of short‑term consultants, including onboarding, coordination, monitoring deliverables and supporting quality assurance processes. 
• Coordinate inputs and communications between consultants, government counterparts and the SPRING team to ensure smooth implementation. 
• Assist with contract management processes in collaboration with the operations and finance teams.
• Attend relevant meetings, consultations and coordination discussions with government counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders.
• Support the technical team in maintaining regular communication with government and development partners.

Technical Support and Learning 

• Provide technical support to the SP/Subnational Governance Lead, GEDSI Lead and SP Manager by compiling background research, drafting inputs, and supporting analysis related to SP, subnational governance and GEDSI. 
• Contribute to the preparation of technical notes, briefs and presentations, workshop materials under guidance, for engagement with government partners such as DSWD, DILG, PCW, NCDA, NCIP, and others. 
• Support documentation and synthesis of discussions from technical meetings, consultations, workshops and field activities, including preparation of meeting notes, action points and decision logs.
• Support the tracking of key developments in relevant policy and program areas.
• Participate in program‑related learning activities, communities of practice and capacity‑building initiatives within SPRING, with opportunities to progressively strengthen technical capability aligned to the role.

Coordination, Reporting and MEL Support 

• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) requirements by coordinating data collection, documentation and reporting in line with the SPRING MEL framework.
• Assist in preparing inputs to program reports, updates and briefings.
• Ensure technical considerations are appropriately reflected in activity documentation, reporting templates and feedback mechanisms.

Collaboration Across the Program

• Work closely with the following:
  • The Program Officer – GEDSI, and
  • The Program Officer – Social Protection and Subnational

to support coordinated delivery across national and subnational activities.

• Liaise with the SPRING operations team to ensure smooth administrative, procurement and logistical support for SP, subnational and GEDSI activities.

Support coherence and information‑sharing between Social Protection, Subnational Governance and GEDSI workstreams as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• A Bachelor’s degree (preferred master’s degree) in Social Development, Public Administration, or other relevant fields in social sciences.

Minimum Experience:

• 3–5 years’ experience in program or project coordination/management within international development, social policy or governance‑related programs.

• Demonstrated experience supporting activity delivery, including planning, logistics, consultant coordination, procurement support and basic budget tracking.

• Experience working with, or supporting engagement with, government counterparts and/or donor‑funded programs (DFAT experience an advantage).

• Exposure to social protection, social inclusion, GEDSI or related social development programming is desirable.

Essential Skills:

• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under the direction of technical leads while taking ownership of day‑to‑day delivery tasks.

• Sound understanding of program management processes, including procurement, consultant engagement and activity‑level financial tracking.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting clear internal notes and supporting reporting requirements.

• Willingness and ability to build technical skills in social protection through on‑the‑job learning and mentoring.

• Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, and SharePoint).

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams in a fast-paced environment; demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines (adaptable to evolving needs of the SPRING Project and responding to government partners with ease).

• Ability to analyse, plan and develop appropriate responses to complex situations and highly developed problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication skills, including proficiency in written and oral English and Filipino.

• 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

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 14 August 2026. This is an ongoing, rolling recruitment, and candidates may be reviewed before and leading up to the deadline.

For your application to be considered, please upload or submit your documents using the following file naming format: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Please send your cover letter addressing the position selection criteria and CV with the name and contact details of three professional referees to hr@springphilippines.org, mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line: “SPRING Program Officer – Flexible / Roving (Cross-Portfolio Support)”.

Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly 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.

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