Program Officer, Law and Human Rights (LAHR)

Position description

The Asia Foundation (TAF) Philippines is seeking a highly motivated, experienced Program Officer to join its Law and Human Rights (LAHR) unit. This role will support an innovative program that strengthens contract enforcement for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, with the goal of improving access to justice, streamlining small claims processes, and enhancing dispute resolution mechanisms in the digital economy. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with the Supreme Court, the Department of Trade and Industry, civil society, and academe in shaping future-oriented reforms for MSMEs.

Key Responsibilities:
• Develop knowledge products and stories that highlight program results of inclusive development, legal access, and human rights.
• Develop a robust Theory of Change and a logical, results-driven framework for the program that facilitates flexible program and program performance.
• Create a yearly workplan, quarterly catch-up plans, and weekly task calendars to plan and map program activities, deliverables, and milestones.
• Build strong partnerships with the Supreme Court, The Office of Court Administrator, the Department of Trade and Industry, civil society, and academe to carry forward a community that upholds MSME’s access to courts.
• Ensure compliance with TAF’s Program Finance and Budget units for budget monitoring and compliance with TAF’s finance and procurement policies.
• Process payments and manage subgrants of vendors, contractors, consultants in a timely manner.
• Construct a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework for the initiative that is centered on performance, focused on processes, and driven by evidence, working alongside internal MEL specialists or consultants.
• Establish a risk management strategy and goals for gender equality.
• Collate and maintain organized and secure program records.

Qualifications

• Must be a lawyer licensed to practice in the Philippines
• At least 5 years post-qualification experience in project management in: (a) access to justice, (b) judicial reform, (c) human rights, (d) future economy, (e) inclusive development, and (f) MSME programming
• Strong leadership, partnership-building, and political economy analysis skills.
• Strong technical writing skills that can (a) articulate alignment of program objectives with activities, outputs, and milestones; (b) elaborate program strategy and approaches to adaptation and seizing opportunities; (c) justify course corrections and elaborate on reasons for gaps, delays, or failures; and (d) document program performance and successes
• Proficiency in uniting and influencing various interested parties to collaborate effectively including creating a common set of objectives, making group decisions, planning with participation, and foreseeing possible political difficulties in alliances and groups
• Ingenuity in using all available means through partnerships, being able to change plans as needed, and staying versatile while keeping the quality of the work at its best
• Good skills in keeping track of progress, gaining knowledge, and assessing results
• Excellent abilities in handling finances and budgets—including compliance and reporting—to encourage responsible use of funds and the distribution of resources

Preferred:

• Experience working in an international development organization
• Experience handling projects that deals with MSMEs and legal processes

Compensation and Benefits:
Competitive consultancy rate commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application instructions

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