Project Coordinator for Public-Private Partnerships in Education – Coalitions for Change (CfC) Program

  • Contractor
  • , Philippines
  • TBD USD / Year
  • The Asia Foundation profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


The Asia Foundation

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.

Project Coordinator for Public-Private Partnerships in Education

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 – Improving Education

Three of the most recent international education assessments[1] show that a vast majority of Filipino students are unable to meet the learning competencies expected of their grade level. Filipino students are lagging behind their peers, which poses severe consequences for the country’s future human capital development, leadership, and workforce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the education sector. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported that some 865 private schools have closed since lockdowns started in March 2020[2]. The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPOEA) says 55% of the remaining private schools “are considering closure.” As a result, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported that 398,930 students transferred to public schools in SY 2020-2021[3]. With the public education system already experiencing historically high student-to-teacher ratios and classroom congestion, the closure of schools poses severe risks and will further strain education delivery in the Philippines.

CfC is working with partners to introduce policies that aim to enhance private and public partnerships to improve education delivery and performance. CfC is seeking to hire (1) Project Coordinator for Public-Private Partnerships in Education in a part-time consultancy position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Maintain collaborative relationships with the CfC Social Development team, its network, and partners.

  2. With team, develop and pursue technically sound and politically feasible policies to improve education as identified by CfC and its partner-coalitions.

  3. Identify possible entry points to introduce reform agenda through relevant government officials, legislators, and stakeholders through the partner-coalitions.

  4. Provide technical inputs in team discussion and strategy planning, especially to push for the identified reform agenda.

  5. Network and collaborate with education coalitions, advocacy groups, and stakeholders.

  6. Lead technical work on policy papers, briefers, presentations, and other reference materials

Qualifications

  1. Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline (e.g Political Science, Public Administration, Development Studies, Education etc.) Master’s degree in the field of Education, Social Science or Public Management is desirable but not required.

  2. Has extensive networks and strong on-the-ground experience engaging with different stakeholders, especially in the education sector.

  3. Working knowledge of Philippines’ education policies, context, processes, and programming

  4. Demonstrated ability to engage with government departments especially with the Department of Education.

  5. Effective written and verbal communication skills in both English and Filipino and proven ability to suit communication style for different audience types.

  6. Ability to self-direct, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines.

  7. Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.

  8. Demonstrated experience working in adaptive programs and development entrepreneurship would be an advantage.

Unit: Social Development Team

Period: 18 April 2022 to 30 December 2022

Level of Effort (LOE): Maximum of 40 days

[1] The 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)1 found that 81% of the country’s 15-year-old students scored “below minimum proficiency” in Reading and Mathematics, while 78% performed “below minimum proficiency” levels in Science.

The 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)2 reported that 81% of Grade 4 Filipino students were “below minimum proficiency” in Mathematics and 87% were “below minimum proficiency” in Science.

The 2019 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM)3 reported that 83% of the country’s Grade 5 students scored below the study’s Reading and Mathematics standards. Moreover, the SEA-PLM assessment revealed that 58% fell under the two lowest proficiency bands in Writing.

[2] https://www.rappler.com/nation/private-schools-halt-operations-school-year-2020-2021/

[3] https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1870135/Manila/Local-News/DepEd-says-migration-from-private-to-public-schools-has-stopped

How to apply

For more details, access the Terms of Reference here: https://tinyurl.com/TAFPHConsultancyOpportunities

Interested applicants should send in their The Asia Foundation Application Form (https://tinyurl.com/TAFAppForm2022), EBD Form (https://tinyurl.com/EBDForm), and sample written documents (if any) to [email protected] on or before 4 PM on 13 April 2022.


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