Regional Convergence Coordinators (Consultant)

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Organisational Background

BRAC is one of the world’s largest development organizations, dedicated to empowering people living in poverty. Working across 12 countries in South Asia and Africa, BRAC touches the lives of more than 120 million people worldwide. BRAC takes a holistic approach to alleviating poverty with programs that include microfinance, education, healthcare, food security programs, and more.

The Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (“UPGI”) is a global unit of BRAC that was founded in 2016 to build off of the success of BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation program in Bangladesh. BRAC UPGI aims to position the Graduation approach as a key driver to eradicating extreme poverty worldwide. It does this by:

• Advocating for uptake of the Graduation approach by policymakers, national governments, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental organizations; and
• Effective adaptation and implementation of the Graduation approach in countries around the world, supported through technical assistance and capacity strengthening for external stakeholders.

In 2018, BRAC Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (BRAC UPGI) partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to implement its own Graduation approach pilot project, which served more than 1,200 participants in Negros Occidental. The project successfully built on existing government programs, including the social assistance provided through Pantawid Pamilya and the income-generating activities of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). The results of the pilot project showed that the combination of individual livelihoods and group coaching is the optimal configuration of Graduation programming for government implementation. In 2021, BRAC UPGI partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to launch the Padayon SLP project, which served around 3,000 participants across the provinces of Iloilo, Bukidnon, and Sultan Kudarat. The project aimed to improve different aspects of wellbeing of participating households including income, savings, financial management skills, food security, nutrition, health and hygiene behavior, and access to local resources. The project successfully built on two existing government programs, the Sustainable Livelihood Program and Pantawid Pamilya, with Graduation additions to provide participant households with a comprehensive and sequenced set of interventions and strengthen social protection and economic inclusion of those living in poverty.

Objective of the Consultancy Services

BRAC UPGI is seeking to hire four (4) Regional Convergence Coordinators to support the scaling of the Graduation approach through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) at both the regional and provincial levels.

Primary Responsibilities and Indicative List of Deliverables

Under the guidance of the BRAC UPGI Programme Director and Senior Programme Manager, the Regional Convergence Coordinators are expected to undertake the following tasks/activities:

1. Provision of Technical Assistance to GA-DILP Implementers

a. Conduct monthly coaching sessions with GA-DILP field implementers to document challenges encountered during field implementation and provide timely guidance and resolution as needed.

b. Deliver capacity-building sessions for GA-DILP field implementers to strengthen their understanding of the fundamental concepts and implementation strategies of the Graduation Approach.

c. Facilitate quarterly refresher training for Livelihood Development Specialists, with a focus on enhancing their skills in coaching, mentoring, and monitoring field activities.

2. Support to GA-DILP Convergence Initiatives

a. Lead the organization and establishment of GA-DILP Convergence Initiatives (eg, ad hoc committees, technical workgroups) at all levels from the regional to the barangay level to enhance coordination and strengthen linkages between program participants and key support services provided by local government units, national government agencies, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners within the community.

b. Facilitate the development of convergence initiative work plans and establish a system to regularly monitor and track the progress of planned activities. Ensure updates are consolidated and presented during quarterly committee meetings.

c. Document all convergence committee activities and quarterly meetings, with a focus on tracking progress against the work plan, highlighting key achievements, and identifying issues and challenges encountered during implementation.

3. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning

a. Develop and submit a detailed monthly work plan to the Senior Field Manager, with a focus on providing technical assistance and support to the convergence initiatives under GA-DILP. The work plan should also outline planned field visits and travel to specific implementation areas.

b. Prepare and submit a comprehensive monthly progress report on all activities and stakeholder engagements related to the implementation of the GA-DILP to the Senior Field Manager, following the prescribed format (e.g. diary tool, insights tracker).

c. Actively participate in fortnightly check-in meetings with the Senior Field Manager and other BRAC-UPGI Philippines staff. These sessions will focus on tracking the progress of ongoing initiatives, addressing emerging implementation issues, and reviewing the status of the GA-DILP and BRAC-UPGI’s field-level collaboration with DILP.

d. Engage in learning sessions organized by the UPGI global team. The RCC may also be requested to present insights or updates during internal BRAC-UPGI learning events and with key external partners.

e. Participate in any research activities related to the implementation of the GA-DILP or as may be prescribed by BRAC UPGI.

Deliverable/ Frequency/ Timeline

Work Plan- Monthly- 20th day of the prior month

Progress Report on All Activities- Monthly- 4th day of the month

Minutes of meetings and documentation of convergence initiatives- As need arises- 1 week after each meeting and activity

Timesheet detailing all activities done by the consultant for the month- Monthly- every 29th day of the month

Required Skills and Qualifications

1. The candidate should have 5 to 8 years of experience in building and managing local partnerships, with a strong emphasis on implementing capability development programs. This includes substantial engagement with Local Government Units (LGUs), Local Government Agencies (LGAs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
2. The candidate must demonstrate a proven track record in delivering community-based development initiatives, particularly in the areas of livelihood enhancement and micro-enterprise development. Experience in stakeholder engagement especially with microfinance institutions, social enterprises, and government bodies is essential.
3. A background in community organizing and direct collaboration with LGUs and government agencies is highly valued. The candidate should also possess the ability to effectively engage and influence both elected and appointed officials at the local, regional, and provincial levels to advance program objectives and strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration.
4. Experience working with ultra-poor or vulnerable populations through integrated interventions such as livelihood support, coaching or mentoring, financial inclusion, and access to social protection services is essential.
5. In-depth knowledge of the local context, including an understanding of the unique vulnerabilities, barriers, and challenges faced by marginalized populations, as well as a strong awareness of the availability and accessibility of basic services in the region.
6. Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. Excellent interpersonal skills, combined with leadership, organizational, and time management capabilities, enabling efficient handling of multiple tasks and priorities in dynamic environments.
7. Fluency in English (both written and spoken), with additional proficiency in Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Bisaya, Waray, Ilocano, and Bicolano, enabling effective communication across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.

Duration of the consultancy

The Regional Convergence Coordinator will serve as full time consultant for BRAC Philippines UPGI Team over a period of nine (9) months.

Remuneration

Consultancy fees shall be paid on a monthly lump-sum basis, contingent upon the issuance of a Certificate of Completion by the Senior Field Manager. This must be supported by an approved timesheet, completed deliverables, and a valid invoice from the consultant. No additional benefits or per diem allowances will be paid by BRAC. The Consultant shall be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at their own cost. The coverage shall include all medical expenses, including those resulting from illness or injury incurred during the duration of the assignment. BRAC shall provide coverage for any in-person sessions or travel required for the assignment that takes place outside the designated duty station. This will include suitable accommodation, in accordance with BRAC’s established policies and guidelines.

Reporting

This position will report directly to the Senior Field Manager, who will oversee the overall progress, review deliverables, and provide feedback as needed. All communications, updates and submissions must be directed to the supervisor.

Location

The consultant will primarily report at the designated field office and at the assigned secondary location as needed.

Primary Location

DOLE Pangasinan Field Office

DOLE Albay Field Office

DOLE Samar Field Office

DOLE Bukidnon Field Office

Secondary Location

DOLE Regional Office in San Fernando City

DOLE Regional Office in Legazpi City

DOLE Regional Office in Tacloban City

DOLE Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City

The consultant is expected to spend a minimum of two days per week at their assigned DOLE field office, with the remaining days dedicated to fieldwork, including the provision of technical assistance and coordination with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the consultant may be required to travel to the DOLE regional office, as needed, for meetings, coordination, and technical discussions.

The Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria

The establishment of a shortlist and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the BRAC’s Rules and Procedures for Acquisition of Consulting Services. Please note that submission of and receipt of the expression of interest by the consultant and BRAC respectively, does not constitute an obligation on the part of BRAC to include him/her in the shortlist.

All Expressions of Interest received in line with the submission guidelines shall be evaluated in accordance with the Proposal Evaluation Criteria indicated in the table below.

CV Review (50%)

Evaluates the relevance and depth of the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and technical expertise. Emphasis is placed on prior consultancy work, sector-specific knowledge, education, certifications, and alignment with the assignment requirements

Financial Proposal (20%)

Assesses the cost-effectiveness, clarity, and reasonableness of the proposed budget in relation to the scope of work. Proposals offering value for money without compromising quality are rated more favorably.

Written Examination (20%)

Assesses the candidate’s ability to comprehend and analyze subject-specific scenarios relevant to the consultancy.

Interview (10%)

Measures the candidate’s communication skills, clarity of thought, and ability to engage with stakeholders. This also includes assessing familiarity with the local dialect used in the assignment area.