Philippines: Chief of Party/Country Director

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief of Party/Country Director will provide strategic guidance and leadership; oversee activities involving Philippines media outlets and media support organizations, among other potential beneficiaries; supervise program personnel, financial management, and administration; and coordinate with USG and other donors, as well as with media stakeholders in country to ensure that Internews leverages existing resources, avoids duplication, and complements other media development initiatives. They will also be responsible for establishing strong partnerships with counterparts across the country and with the appropriate donor representatives. Programmatic and financial management of the program will be supported by Internews’ Asia team and administrative staff, ensuring that all program operations meet Internews’ quality standards and are carried out in accordance with relevant rules and regulations. The position will be based in Manila, Philippines.

LOGISTICS

This role will be based in Manila, Philippines.

This is a limited duration role, with an expected end date of 14 July 2024 with a possibility of extension,contingent upon the availability of funding.

Note: Hiring is contingent upon receipt of required donor approvals

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people . Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• The Country Director acts as Chief of Party of USG-funded Initiative for Media Freedom, as well as of new programs/funding aggregated to it (direct purview). Regarding programs implemented by other Internews program management units in the Philippines not based in country (GT, EJN, HUM, etc.), the Country Director ensures to keep a general awareness of these programs through regular coordination with PMUs in charge, and provides with his team guidance, advice, and recommendations when necessary, to improve internal coordination along a “one-Internews” approach (general oversight).
• Provide strategic, operational and representational leadership to ensure that activities of programs under his direct purview are meeting their goals and targets on time and within budget, recommending program adjustments when necessary to keep the program on track.
• Manage and oversee organization and implementation of activities of programs under his direct purview that take place throughout the Philippines.
• Supervise staff of Internews country office in Manila and coordinate with partners of programs under his direct purview based throughout the Philippines.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable local laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees for programs under their direct purview; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
• Leadership, management, representational and operational oversight.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with partner organizations throughout the country and ensure that program implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries.
• Write and revise program reports, communications materials, and other program documentation in collaboration with Internews staff and according to award stipulations for programs under their direct purview.
• Serve as the public face of USG-funded Initiative for Media Freedom and other programs/funding aggregated to it, and primary point of contact for in-country and international donor missions and stakeholders.
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and to measure program impact for programs undertheir direct purview.
• Maintain strategic awareness of independent media issues and disinformation issues in the country, and a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent media, especially online digital media, as well as freedom of information and right to know, with a particular attention to disinformation matters.
• Ensure the programs under his direct purview are in compliance with rules , requirements, and regulations of the cooperative agreement with USG and agreements with other donors, as well as with Internews’ internal policies and procedures.
• Serve as the primary budget authority over the programs under his direct purview, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the program are allowable, reasonable, and correctly allocated.
• Maintain regular communications with Internews headquarters and regional office staff to communicate progress on programming and address upcoming issues in advance.
• Provide support as necessary for developing new relationships and business initiatives.
• In all duties, an understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values .

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing large, multi-year USG funded projects, preferably as a COP, with a strong reputation for developing excellent collaborative working relationships with local counterparts, international organizations, and donors.
• At least 3 years of substantial prior work experience working in media and/or in the media and information development sector
• At least 3 years of substantial prior work experience in the Philippines or a country with a similar context.
• University degree or equivalent lived/professional experience.
• Deep understanding of the media sector in the Philippines, as well as working knowledge of the broader media environment in Southeast Asia
• A successful track record in supervising, designing, managing and implementing technical assistance for donor-funded media programs and proven ability to develop and monitor work plans, training plans, and procurement plans.
• Experience implementing complex, multifaceted programs with demonstrated skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Proven experience working effectively with media and media/journalist associations, civil society, private sector organizations, and host country government counterparts.
• Proven ability to develop, manage and nurture working relationships among diverse groups of national and multilateral stakeholders, donors, and NGOs.
• Demonstrated mentoring abilities and experience supporting senior managerial staff.
• USG experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience leveraging other sources of funding to advance programmatic objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• English fluency required
• Graduate degree in communications, journalism or related fields required