Country Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Established with a mission to provide humanitarian assistance and development support, RI operates in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The organization employs over 7,000 staff and local volunteers, working collaboratively with local actors to develop safe and inclusive programming that is evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart. RI is an alliance of four organizations, including Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, Relief International-UK, and Relief International-Europe, all operating under a unified leadership structure to achieve their shared mission.

Job Overview:
The Country Program Manager is tasked with providing strategic leadership, oversight, and coordination of Relief International’s program portfolio in the Philippines. This role encompasses the effective design, implementation, monitoring, quality assurance, and growth of multi-sector programs, which include health, nutrition, livelihoods, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, protection, peacebuilding, emergency response, and anticipatory action initiatives. The Country Program Manager collaborates closely with the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director, Project Managers, technical specialists, support departments, partners, and external stakeholders to ensure that programs are implemented effectively, meet donor and organizational standards, achieve intended outcomes, and contribute to Relief International’s strategic objectives. This position is also pivotal in program development, partnership management, capacity strengthening, representation, safeguarding, and organizational learning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Program Manager is responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including: providing overall leadership and management of Relief International’s program portfolio in the Philippines; ensuring timely achievement of project deliverables and objectives in accordance with donor agreements; supporting the Country Director in strategic vision and direction; providing technical guidance and support to Project Managers and program teams; leading project start-up and mobilization processes; conducting regular program review meetings; undertaking field monitoring visits; ensuring integration of gender, protection, safeguarding, conflict sensitivity, and Do No Harm principles; leading emergency preparedness and response planning; developing and strengthening program systems and tools; ensuring compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies; monitoring project implementation and spending; identifying new funding opportunities; leading proposal development; supporting MEAL systems; managing partnerships; representing the organization in various forums; providing human resource management and capacity building; and supporting communications and knowledge management efforts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Community Development, Development Communication, Public Health, Political Science, Humanitarian Assistance, or a related field. Essential qualifications include a minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience managing humanitarian and development programs, demonstrated experience in managing multi-sector programs throughout the full project cycle, experience in leading diverse program teams, strong skills in program design, proposal development, grants management, and donor compliance, and familiarity with conflict-sensitive programming and emergency response. Knowledge of the Philippines context, particularly Mindanao, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Social Sciences, Community Development, Development Communication, Public Health, Political Science, Humanitarian Assistance, or a related area. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of humanitarian and development work, as well as for effectively managing programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The role requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 8–10 years in progressively responsible positions managing humanitarian and development programs. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing multi-sector programs throughout the full project cycle, leading and supervising diverse program teams, and managing large and complex program portfolios and budgets. Experience working with local partners, government stakeholders, and civil society organizations is crucial, as is familiarity with establishing and strengthening MEAL systems and accountability mechanisms. Experience in emergency response and preparedness programming is preferred, along with knowledge of the Philippines context, particularly in Mindanao.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is excellent written and spoken English. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Philippines or the local context may be considered advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks and enhanced due diligence. The role is full-time and involves significant responsibilities, including budget management and relationship management with various stakeholders. The Country Program Manager will be expected to travel regularly to project locations to ensure effective program implementation and oversight.