Program Manager Wetlands International Philippines

Since 2010, Wetlands International is active in the ‘Partners for Resilience’ alliance with humanitarian & development organizations to jointly work on community resilience. This partnership with Netherlands Red Cross, CARE, Cordaid and Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre currently finalizes a 5 year program on ecosystem-based & climate-smart disaster risk reduction, implemented in 9 countries. In the Philippines the role of Wetlands International was relatively small, providing trainings and technical support to PfR in-country partners.  

As of 2014, Wetlands International is also involved in other partnership projects, both with humanitarian organisations (f.e. in Agusan River Basin) and with engineering companies on ‘Building with Nature’ approaches for coastal protection (Tacloban). Wetlands International is implementing this program through a Philippines-based technical expert who is managing these projects and represents the organization.         

Starting 2016 Wetlands International, with the Partners for Resilience, will engage in a new 5 year Strategic Partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, implementing a program on Integrated Risk Management in 8 countries incl the Philippines. Focus of this program will be on capacity building of civil society to influence policy development, investments and ‘DRR practice’ and advocate for ‘Integrated Risk Management’ (IRM). In this program, Wetlands International will focus on landscape level approaches to IRM, potential risk-impacts of investments and sectoral policies, and promote ecosystem-based solutions.   

As the Wetlands International project portfolio in the Philippines is growing, the organization needs a larger in-country presence and aims to recruit over the coming months 2 – 3 technical officers and a Program Manager who will oversee and coordinate the Strategic Partnership program on ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction.

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Program Manager will be responsible to implement this new Strategic Partnership program in the Philippines, consolidate hosting and other institutional arrangements and recruit and lead the new Wetlands International Philippines team.   

Responsibilities and tasks

With support and guidance of the Wetlands International Head Office, this person will:

• Manage and implement the ‘Partners for Resilience’ Strategic Partnership and program including  lobby & advocacy and civil society capacity building   
• Develop and maintain strategic partnership with Netherlands Embassy
• Supervise the implementation of the full project portfolio of Wetlands International in the Philippines in collaboration with the current Wetlands International technical expert
• Develop and consolidate hosting and other institutional arrangements needed to establish Wetlands International in the Philippines
• Recruit technical and support staff and manage the new Wetlands International Philippines team
• Develop and maintain a stakeholder network of relevant NGOs, governments and corporates and advocate for and influence policies on  ecosystem/landscape level where relevant;
• Identify and develop new project opportunities for Wetlands International in the Philippines aligned with the Strategic Intent of the global organization.

Profile

The successful candidate is an experienced policy and advocacy specialist and strong manager, able to bring people and interests together to develop new opportunities. S/he has a proven track record of lobby and advocacy in the Philippines, preferably with a strong environmental focus and a good understanding of the NGO, government and corporate world which is complemented with a relevant network. S/he has a good understanding of wetlands issues at all relevant scales. S/he is well able to profile Wetlands International as an authority in wetlands issues. Especially local candidates or candidates with the Philippine nationality are welcome to apply.

Requirements

The successful candidate meets the following requirements:

• Advanced university degree and working experience of minimum 8 years in environmental policy or management, with a strong and proven interest  on integrated water resource management, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity and/or related fields (land-use)
• Strong social, networking and diplomatic skills and experience in policy dialogues at different government levels and corporates (to be proven by track record)
• Knowledgeable of current policies and practices related to wetlands and disaster management in the Philippines
• Good speaker: able to convince different audiences (governments, corporates) of the benefits of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction
• Substantial track record in program management & development and a
• Good people manager with substantial track record in team building and management
• Philippines national
• Full proficiency in English and preferably Tagalog
• To be based in the Metro Manila area
• Willingness to travel regularly in-country and irregularly internationally.

Preferred:

• Facilitation and training skills: able to explain ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and related concepts
• An extensive network among civil society and science-based organizations working on environmental issues and preferably development issues throughout the Philippines
• Prior experience in working for or managing or a national branch of an international organization.

Offer

• A competitive salary
• An opportunity to be involved in innovative partnerships between global and Philippine-based humanitarian, climate and environmental organisations;
• Opportunity to expand experience regarding ecosystem management and rehabilitation in an interdisciplinary manner
• Opportunity to become engaged with and represent the global organisation Wetlands International.

To apply:

Send your motivation letter & CV detailing your experience in the above areas to Silva Paronakian, e-mail: silva.paronakian@wetlands.org. Please mark in the subject: “Application Program Manager WI-Philippines”. The closing date is 24 November.

For more information please contact Marie-Jose Vervest Program Manager Partners for Resilience

e-mail: marie-jose.vervest@wetlands.org