Project Officer for Tanggol Kababaihan

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is a global humanitarian and development organization that partners with communities in fragile settings to address the root causes of poverty, respond to emergencies, and support long-term recovery. Founded in 1990, RI operates in over 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, specializing in integrated programs in health, education, economic opportunity, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The organization emphasizes resilience-building and systems strengthening, focusing its work in fragile and conflict-affected contexts where state institutions are weak or under pressure. RI collaborates with local partners, civil society organizations, and national governments to ensure that interventions are contextually appropriate, inclusive, and locally owned. Its programming is guided by a commitment to accountability, gender equity, inclusion, and the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. With over three decades of experience, RI combines rapid emergency response with long-term development strategies to support people in navigating crises, restoring dignity, and building a more secure and self-reliant future. In the Philippines, RI operates with a strong focus on peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and development programming in areas affected by conflict, natural disasters, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Since establishing its presence in the country, RI has worked closely with local communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions to support conflict-affected populations, promote social cohesion, and deliver life-saving assistance. The country program integrates gender equality, youth empowerment, and community resilience across its portfolio, ensuring that interventions address both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges. RI Philippines implements programs in Mindanao and other high-risk regions, supporting initiatives on Women, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (WPS), protection, education in emergencies, and health, while also playing a role in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, responding to both conflict- and climate-induced emergencies.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer for Tanggol Kababaihan will play a crucial role in supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Relief International’s project aimed at operationalizing the Philippine National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. This three-year initiative focuses on promoting peace, stability, and well-being among conflict-vulnerable communities in the Philippines through effective civil society engagement. The Project Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and will be responsible for coordinating and networking with various stakeholders, conducting regular field visits, facilitating capacity-building activities, and providing oversight of project activities in their designated area. The position requires ensuring that the project meets its objectives, adheres to timelines, and aligns with donor and organizational requirements. The Project Officer will also be involved in integrating gender equality, youth empowerment, conflict sensitivity, and social inclusion across all components of the project, thereby contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: providing necessary support in ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all project activities in line with project objectives and timelines; assisting the Project Manager in developing and managing project work plans, procurement plans, and budgets; ensuring timely delivery and efficient use of resources; documenting project outcomes, best practices, and lessons learned for both internal learning and external dissemination; preparing project expenditures to ensure alignment with the phased budget and compliance with donor requirements; preparing budget proposals for activities and processing requests such as cash advances and purchase requests; supporting the preparation of monthly financial projections based on the latest Budget vs Actuals report; ensuring donor compliance across programmatic and technical aspects of project implementation; working with the MEAL team in developing and implementing MEAL frameworks and tools; supporting the collection, analysis, and use of data for project tracking and decision-making; cultivating and maintaining effective partnerships with national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and community leaders; representing RI Philippines in coordination forums and peacebuilding clusters; facilitating community-level engagement processes; identifying and building synergies with complementary programs and partners; supporting the Project Manager in identifying project risks and developing mitigation strategies; ensuring compliance with safeguarding, protection, and Do No Harm principles; and promoting the safety and well-being of both staff and beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a range of qualifications, including a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience managing complex governance and conflict-sensitive development projects. Candidates should demonstrate experience and expertise related to strengthening local governance, economic development, livelihoods, gender-sensitive programming, and peacebuilding. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders and women's groups, are essential. Adaptability and resilience in challenging work environments, including remote or underserved communities, are also important. Candidates should possess strong coordination, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision. Experience in resource mobilization, donor coordination, and compliance is required, along with an excellent command of English, both written and oral. Desirable qualifications include INGO experience, a detailed understanding of development challenges and funding mechanisms, and experience working in humanitarian, conflict-affected, fragile, and/or development contexts. Knowledge of local languages or cultural context in the covered region is also an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Project Officer position should possess a relevant educational background, typically including a degree in social sciences, international development, public administration, or a related field. Advanced degrees may be preferred, particularly for candidates with extensive experience in governance, peacebuilding, or conflict-sensitive programming. Educational qualifications should align with the responsibilities of the role and demonstrate a commitment to the principles of gender equality, social inclusion, and community engagement.

Experience:
The role requires candidates to have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in managing complex governance and conflict-sensitive development projects. This experience should include demonstrated expertise in strengthening local governance, economic development, livelihoods, gender-sensitive programming, and peacebuilding. Candidates should have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with government institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders in sensitive political environments. Experience in resource mobilization, donor coordination, and compliance is also essential, along with the ability to adapt and thrive in challenging work environments, including remote or underserved communities.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is an excellent command of English, both written and oral. Knowledge of local languages or dialects relevant to the project areas is considered a desirable asset, as it can enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders. Familiarity with the cultural context of the regions where the project is implemented will also be beneficial in fostering effective partnerships and ensuring project relevance.

Additional Notes:
The Project Officer position is likely to be a full-time role, with a focus on project management and stakeholder engagement in the context of the Tanggol Kababaihan initiative. The contract duration may be aligned with the three-year project timeline, and the position may involve travel to various project sites within the designated provinces. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and organizational standards, and the role may involve working in collaboration with international and national teams to achieve project objectives.