Social Protection Officer

Position description

1. KEY INFORMATION
   Job Title: Social Protection Officer
   Sector: Women Empowerment and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
   Position Type: Full-time
   Duration/Level of Effort: Long-term
   Position Location: Manila, Philippines
2. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
   The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING will support efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.  
   
   SPRING will contribute to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.
   
   The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
   
   SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):
   Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
   1. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
   2. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.

The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.SUMMARY OF POSITION
Reporting to the Social Protection National Lead and collaborating with the SPRING Program team, the Social Protection Officer will provide essential technical and operational support to the National Lead in developing technical advice and recommendations for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This role will focus on supporting the National Lead in delivering policy and technical assistance to relevant DSWD teams to enhance and strengthen social protection systems, promote inclusion and gender equality, and improve the responsiveness of delivery systems. Collaboration with key implementing partners such as DSWD, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other relevant stakeholders is integral to this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compile relevant data and research reports, conduct data collection and analysis, and draft technical reports with evidence-based recommendations to assist the National Lead in developing recommendations on social protection policies, programs, and governance arrangements.
• Assist the National Social Protection Lead in developing and conducting capacity-building sessions, workshops, and briefings on social protection, inclusion, and gender equality for DSWD, DILG, and other stakeholders, in coordination with the SPRING Program team.
• Support the National Lead in organizing and coordinating social protection-related activities for the SPRING Program, including meetings, follow-up actions, and engagement with its Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups.
• Support the National Social Protection Lead in ensuring compliance with the SPRING MEL framework, reporting structures, feedback mechanisms, data-driven planning, and communication protocols.
• Provide insights on challenges encountered, propose resolutions, and share lessons learned to improve policy and program enforcement/implementation, in collaboration with the SPRING Program team.
• Support the National Social Protection Lead in promoting the integration of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles across all SPRING Program activities, and foster inclusive policies and GEDSI awareness within DSWD, DILG, and other SPRING Program stakeholders.
• Promote inclusive policies and GEDSI understanding within DSWD, DILG and other SPRING Project stakeholders.
• Maintain smooth work relationships with DSWD, DILG, and other SPRING Project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local and international experts/consultants to support Program implementation and assist the Social Protection Lead in managing deliverables.
• Assist in drafting Program reports, track implementation progress, and periodically review and evaluate the execution of SPRING Program plans.
• Assist in preparing annual work plans and program schedules in coordination with the SPRING Program team.
• Maintain strong working relationships with DSWD, DILG, and other SPRING Program stakeholders and lead administrative and logistical coordination for SPRING-related activities, workshops, and fieldwork.
• Collaborate closely with the Subnational Activity Lead to ensure a joined up approach to national and subnational activities that will strengthen the chain of service delivery from the centre to the frontline, supporting information and feedback mechanisms between these levels of service delivery.

Coordinate with the SPRING operations team to ensure the logistical and administrative needs for the delivery of program activities, such as workshops and field work are met.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education

• A Bachelor’s degree (preferred master’s degree) in Social Work, Social Development, Public Administration, Development Economics, or other relevant fields in social sciences.Minimum Experience
• 3-5 years’ of professional experience in social protection, social welfare and development programs focusing on policy development, program implementation management, capacity building, program monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in working with the Philippine government such as DSWD, DILG, and LGUs on social protection, social welfare and development programs and policies and of donor-funded programs, particularly DFAT-funded, would be an advantage.
• Proven experience in implementing programs on gender equality, disability and social inclusion particularly promoting inclusion of women, PWDs and IPs in programs, would be an advantage.Key Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to apply understanding of social protection, gender equality, disability and social inclusion as well as SP reform policies, programs, and systems.
• Manifested analytical and critical thinking skills to assess complex social protection issues and inform strategic decision-making.
• Proficiency in governance strategies across social protection sector, gender and development, disability and indigenous peoples groups in the Philippine context.
• Demonstrates effective collaboration work and influence partners most especially with Philippine government officials and technical staff in various capacity under social protection engagements.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, and SharePoint).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams in a fast-paced environment; demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines (adaptable to evolving needs of the SPRING Project and responding to government partners with ease).
• Ability to analyze, plan and develop appropriate responses to complex situations and highly developed problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills, including proficiency in written and oral English and Filipino.
• Promoting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) is a key focus of SPRING. Applicants with knowledge or experience in GEDSI issues will be highly regarded by the selection panel.

Application instructions

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