Director of Program (For Filipino Nationals Only)

JOB OPENING

Fundación Educación y Cooperación – EDUCO Philippines is a local branch of a child-focused international development organization, with head office in Spain. EDUCO places child’s rights at the core of its activities and supports local civil society organizations and government units in strengthening their capacities to guarantee the realization of children’s rights.

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM

Job Summary

The Director of Program plays an essential role in Educo Philippines, leading the development and operationalization of the Country Programmatic Framework (CPF). The position ensures that projects are designed with the CPF and the goals shared by Educo and partners. The role provides strategic leadership in the development of program strategies, concepts and innovations, ensuring high quality of programs, addressing implementation efficiency, and incorporating learning, research and best practices to inform the quality of work. The position holder also closely coordinates with the humanitatian community and leads the Country Office’s humanitarian action strategy. The Director of Program provides the needed support promptly and at scale, applying all standards and principles during emergencies.

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the director is a member of the Senior Management Team and promotes accountability and high performance that reflects Educo’s dual mandate and values. The position helps establish, maintain, and improve working relationships with: host government authorities, humanitarian and development donors, and local and international NGOs.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Design and Planning:

• In collaboration with the technical unit at Head Office (HO), develop technical standards and guidelines in program development, design, and planning;
• Lead the development and review of the Country Programmatic Framework, internally funded projects and pilot initiatives;
• Support the Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy Unit (SPAU) in building mutually beneficial partnerships, collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders, networks and communities, in line with Educo’s child rights-based programs, advocacy and communication strategies;
• Support SPAU with proposal development tasks, including drafting of concept notes, technical review and validation of project proposals; ensuring quality technical inputs are coordinated and integrated in the final products;
• Lead the Sponsorship-Program integraton initiative

Program-Sponsorship Implementation and Technical Assistance:

• Provide leadership, risk-assessment and relevant technical support as needed;
• Develop programs and projects that are adapted to the rights and needs of the communities;
• Ensure the programs and projects are coherent with the CPF, along defined standards of quality, integrity and timeliness;
• Monitor financial execution of projects and decide with Teams necessary approaches to address burn-rate and variances;
• Assess project performance regularly against agreed program objectives and indicators, in coordination with MEAL;
• Communicate and follow up all pertinent program support requirements to all CO Units;
• Coordinate with the Quality Assurance and Compliance Officer (QACO) to ensure partners are compliant with the policies of donors and Educo;
• Meet all programmatic reportorial requirements to government, donors, partners, children and HO;
• Assess and develop partners and assists the SPAU unit in engaging them for grass-root level advocacy works;
• Finalize/validae grants/project reports for internal and external annual reporting requirements;
• Manage the Sponsorship Team and its activities ( to include the monitoring of children);
• Design, improve, and implemement strategies for effective Program-Sponsorship integration.

Innovation & Learning:

• Oversee pilot research projects; and the publication and dissemination of results to stakeholders;
• Engage in relevant national and global networks and connect them with SPAU;
• Ensure Program staff are able to access a centralized data and information system and ensure the setting up and maintenance of a resource library;
• Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Unit to support the implementation of MEAL activities and initiatives;
• Ensure best practices and learning are understood and adapted by the Program Unit;

Team Management and Development:

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the Program and Sponsorship Unit;
• Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency;
• Define expectations, support staff development, and evaluate direct reports regularly;
• Work with the People & Culture Unit on capacity building initiaves for staff and mentorship of potential rising stars;

Emergency Preparedness and Response:

• Contribute in ensuring a well-trained and prepared Emergency Response Team (ERT);
• Coordinate and cooperate with Emergency Reponse Team Leader, ERT, technical specialists and surge teams during emergencies

Requirements:

Essential

• Bachelors’ Degree in Social Sciences, International Development, and other related courses. Graduates of other course may be considered if s/he has the experience and competency requirements of the role. Master’s degree or PhD degree desirable.
• Recognized experience in an INGO environment, preferably with child-rights organizations and with experience in both emergency and development contexts,
• Minimum experience of 10 years in a similar position, leading and managing Country Programs and Teams
• Recognized leadership role in relevant technical areas at both field and country level
• Credibility to lobby, influence and represent Educo at all levels
• Resource management, training, capacity building, coaching, and mentoring skills
• Willing to work at Legazpi City, Albay

Desirable

• Experience of working in an international context, at least in Asia with strong portfolio in the Philippines*We are offering:**

• A regular position, subject for probationary status for the first six (6) months. To start immediately.

• A competitive compensation and benefit package

DOWNLOAD: Child Safeguarding Policy.