Program Leader for Waypoints: Navigating Civil Maritime Security Reform

THE ASIA FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES

Position Description

TITLE: Program Leader UNIT: Philippine Office

PROJECT: Waypoints Program

REPORTS TO: Country Representative, SUPERVISES: Program/Assistant The Asia Foundation Program Officer

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Leader is responsible for the day-to-day management, leadership, operation, and ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of the Waypoints: Navigating Civil Maritime Security Reform funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Program Leader is responsible for coordinating with local partners and sectoral stakeholders. They will help develop and implement innovative and entrepreneurial approach in the Foundation’s civil maritime security program, including helping identify emerging issues and new opportunities in the sector.

The Program Leader will oversee the overall management of the project, including reporting to DFAT and managing stakeholder and partner relationships. They will provide leadership management and general technical direction of the project, including for the policy and institutional reforms, and ensure an integrated vision among different stakeholders. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with donor and TAF regulations, agreement provisions, reporting and other deadlines, and budgetary monitoring.

Internal

Daily direction and supervision of the Waypoints team members, partners, and consultants. Extensive interaction with other Foundation staff involved in the implementation of the project.

External

Regular contact/coordination with program partners, consultants, and stakeholders for implementation, information exchange, collaboration, and project oversight.

Frequent interaction with government and non-government organizations involved with the project.

Continual interaction with Australian Embassy, as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

Completed Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the field of governance, development studies, social sciences, economics, or public administration/management. Master’s degree is an advantage.**

Experience:

· Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively increasing management and leadership responsibility in development, government, or academic institutions, with at least three (3) years work experience related to policy reform. **

· Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of Philippine political, economic, and social context, especially in the civil maritime security sector. Appreciation of trends and opportunities in the sector.

· Proven capacity to work with and nurture relationships with government agencies, civil society organizations, the business sector at the national and local levels, and other relevant stakeholders.

· Prior experience in managing donor-funded assistance projects.

Skills:

· Ability to self-manage, independently prioritize tasks, and confidently develop plans of action with minimal direction

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Filipino • Strong time-management skills and professional organizational abilities

· Proven interpersonal and intercultural skills

· Knowledge of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other international donor agency requirements and regulations an advantage.

Job Functions:

The Program Leader will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

· Provides day-to-day leadership, management and direction to ensure successful implementation of the project and achievement of its goals and objectives

· Ensures all technical areas of the project are integrated and delivered at high quality, making the most effective and efficient use of project resources

· Leads in day-to-day planning and budget development, quality and on-time reporting and other requirements, including periodic success stories and other updates

· Ensures timely submission of all project documentation, including workplans, reports, M&E frameworks, branding and marking plans, etc.

· Provides expertise to foster technical and programmatic decision making

· Ensures the project is well monitored; data collected and analyzed for reporting to DFAT and stakeholders.

· Ensures that activities and the project are implemented in accordance with the DFAT and TAF rules and regulations

· Develops and monitor appropriate budgets to support technical activities, with relevant data and assistance from Finance.

· Monitor project budget meet spending targets, and if under- or over-spent, identify approaches to resolve the issues and remain on target (including activity budget and LOE).

· As requested by the Country Representative, represent the project at meetings and other functions with other cooperating partners, senior government officials, DFAT and other donor agencies

· Other job responsibilities as may be assigned by the Country Representative.**

Other Support

· Assists and participates in project activities and other activities within TAF Philippine Office as directed by the Country Representative or Senior Management.