Program Officer for Social Development

THE ASIA FOUNDATION – PHILIPPINES
Position Description

TITLE: Program Officer

REPORTS TO: Senior Program Officer and Strategic Advisor

SUPERVISES: N/A

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 workplans, 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 the implementation and monitoring and ensuring 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.

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

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