Project Assistant for Stunting Reform

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our programs address critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century— governance and law, economic development, women’s empowerment, environment, and regional cooperation. In addition, our Books for Asia and professional exchange programs are among the ways we encourage Asia’s continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region of the world.

If you share the same vision and commitment, we invite you to express your interest in our Consultant’s open tender for The Asia Foundation Philippines office. Kindly submit your applications by August 28, 2022 to [email protected]

Background of the Program

Coalitions for Change (CfC) is a partnership program of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and The Asia Foundation in the Philippines. CfC supports the formulation and implementation of key policies consistent with the government’s agenda on economic growth, improved governance, and social development.

The program creates spaces for collaboration, strengthening coalitions and networks, civil society, the private sector, the government, academia, and others to bring about transformative change. Working with these motivated groups and individuals, and underpinned with technical and political analysis, CfC successfully delivers reforms that lead to sustainable and inclusive development, improving the lives of Filipinos.

Background of the Assignment

The stunting incidence for children under five in the Philippines has remained constant at 33-35% since 2005. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported in 2015 that 33.4% out of 11.2 million children aged 0-5 are listed as stunted. Stunting, as an effect of poor nutrition, manifests in impaired growth, poor educational performance, lost productivity, and eventually low adult wages.

Among the government programs which aim to alleviate Stunting, targeted cash transfer programs have shown a significant decrease in cases of stunting among its beneficiaries. Moreover, beneficiaries of such programs are more inclined to purchase nutritious food and subscribe to health services such as growth monitoring, supplementation, and deworming. The impact of the conditional cash transfer program in catering to the poorest households shows that there is an opportunity to mitigate the stunting problem in the Philippines through sufficient and properly targeted cash transfer programs. Similar cash transfer programs to combat stunting will be explored.

CfC is working with partners to introduce policies that will address stunting, and hunger, especially among vulnerable households.

CfC is seeking to hire the following consultancy position:

1. One (1) Project Assistant

Project Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical assistance to preparation of policy papers, briefers, presentations, and other reference materials.
2. Assist in scheduling, meeting documentation, data analysis and presentation, crafting presentations and action plans to be presented to government officials and key stakeholders.
3. Liaise with legislators and policy makers to promote social protection programming in the Philippines.
4. Contribute to team discussions and strategy planning.
5. Attend and coordinate team meetings with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
6. Maintain collaborative relationships with the CfC Social Development team, its network, and partners.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social Work, Community Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences.). A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline is an advantage.
2. Demonstrated experience in policy research and development, particularly in the legislative branch and/or national government agencies. The candidate must demonstrate familiarity with legislative policies, context, processes, and programming.
3. Effective written and verbal communication skills in both English and Filipino.
4. Ability to analyze, interpret, and summarize data.
5. Ability to balance competing priorities and meet deadlines.
6. Ability to work in an adaptive environment in a multicultural setting.
7. Demonstrated experience working in adaptive programs and development entrepreneurship would be an advantage.

The Asia Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to age, sex, disability, national origin, color, or any other protected class. Support will be provided to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.