Cowater International

Program Specialist

Posted
17 December 2024 04:02pm
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Regions
South-East and East Asia
Sectors
Operations
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Summary

KEY INFORMATION

  • Job Title: Program Specialist
  • Sector: Facility Management, Expert Deployment Mechanism and Framework Agreements
  • Position Type: Full-time 
  • Duration/Level of Effort: Long-term 
  • Position Location: Manila, Philippines

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 will support 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 will contribute 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 Philippine 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.
Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Program Specialist will ensure all SPRING programmatic functions are meeting quality, due diligence and programmatic standards. More specifically, the Program Specialist will coordinate between program technical and operations teams and assist in the development of the program annual work plans. He/She will also support and advise program staff on the SPRING Quality Assurance (QA) Framework and processes during program activity implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support TL and DTL in creating and maintaining clear frameworks for task and responsibility allocation between technical and operations teams, ensuring collaboration and efficiency.
  • Coordinating with Program leads to develop standardised templates and tools that provide clarity on roles, timelines and dependencies for program technical activities. 
  • Develop tracking tools and reporting templates for program teams to ensure timely completion. 
  • Coordinating with Program leads to design and implement program management tools and templates to standardise workplan delivery, task tracking and technical activity monitoring. 
  • Coordinating with Program technical leads on the planning and delivery of the Program’s key activities. 
  • Support the TL in overseeing the delivery of technical workplans, ensuring alignment with program logic and DFAT requirements.
  • Support DTL in the design and implementation of monitoring and compliance tools that track the implementation progress of technical and operational deliverables against quality standards. 
  • Lead orientation sessions for technical and operations team on work planning and reporting tools and templates developed as well as on quality assurance standards and tools for SPRING.
  • Regularly review technical activities to ensure they meet quality benchmarks and identify opportunities for improvement or course correction.
  • Monitor operational support systems to ensure they meet the needs of technical activities and contribute to seamless program delivery. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Education

  • A Masters degree in Development Studies, Social Development, Public Administration, or other relevant fields in social sciences or program management.

Minimum Experience

  • 5-7 years’ experience in a similar role.
  • Demonstrated experience in administration and coordination of donor-funded programs, particularly DFAT-funded, would be an advantage.
  • Experience in program management and quality assurance, with a focus on enhancing program efficiency and effectiveness. 
  • Experience in designing and implementing standardised templates and tools for activity planning for workplan and technical activities. 
  • Experience coordinating workplan development cycle, including activity budget plans. 
  • Coordination between program delivery team members, national and subnational offices, as well as partners and stakeholders, where required.

Key Abilities

  • Understanding of and commitment to social protection, gender equality, and inclusion, as foundations of SPRING Program goals and objectives.
  • Exceptional organizational and planning skills 
  • Demonstrated strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, and SharePoint) and MS Visio or similar software.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams in a fast-paced environment; demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to analyze, 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.
  • Promoting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is a key focus of SPRING. Applicants with knowledge or experience in GEDSI issues will be highly regarded by the selection panel.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2024. This is an ongoing recruitment, and candidates will be reviewed before and leading up to the deadline. 

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 Program Specialist” or apply online.

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.