Country Director – Philippines

Helen Keller International
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Country Director – Philippines
Manila, Philippines

Helen Keller International (HKI) is an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. We do this by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition.

We are currently seeking a Country Director in the Philippines to represent HKI and be responsible for all HKI-Philippines (HKI-PH) activities. In partnership with the Government of the Philippines, donors community organizations and non-governmental organizations, HKI-PH will be participating in the implementation of the following types of programs: Health Systems Strengthening in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, particularly focused on improving the health information system; Homestead Food Production + Essential Nutrition Actions, enabling households to increase production and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods and receive nutritional services; and Micronutrient Powder Distribution, undertaking an effectiveness study in conjunction with the World Food Program. HKI-PH is also involved in preparing for and implementing the Efficacy and Consumer Acceptance studies for Golden Rice as well as designing and implementing assessments and evaluations and doing capacity building for other nutrition-related programs and agencies. HKI-PH is one of HKI’s oldest country offices and has been a key technical assistance organization in Philippines for nutrition for the past 20 years.

Location and Reporting:

  • This position is based in Manila, Philippines, with frequent travel within the Philippines. Periodic international travel is required.
  • Reports directly to: Vice President, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific Region (APR)
  • Directs the work of: HKI staff and interns/consultants in the Philippines
  • Collaborates with: HKI Asia-Pacific Regional Staff; other HKI APR Country Directors; HKI-NY Program Department, particularly HKI Senior Vice President, Programs; HKI-NY Finance, Human Resources and Communications Departments; Governmental, International, University and Non-governmental Organizations within the Philippines.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Overall Management and Leadership

  • Manage key project personnel to ensure that the objectives agreed to in grants and contracts for HKI-Philippines projects are achieved.
  • Develop strategic plans to further the overall mission and specific programs of HKI that meet the evolving needs and conditions in the Philippines.
  • Disseminate findings from HKI projects that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in the Philippines and internationally.
  • Keep the Asia-Pacific Regional office and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program.
  • Represent HKI in the Philippines and liaise with governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Philippines, donors, and HKI Headquarters.
  • Oversee, coordinate and develop HKI-Philippines’s program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity.

Programmatic:

  • Represent HKI and provide technical input to the government, international donor agencies and technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.
  • Ensure effective project implementation to achieve the objectives agreed to in grants and contracts for HKI-Philippines projects.
  • Oversee research design, methodology and dissemination of information needed to monitor and evaluate project activities. Ensure expertise from HQ and the Regional Office is included in the design process as needed.
  • Oversee development of materials to disseminate findings and lessons learned from HKI projects that are important for advocacy with decision-makers.
  • Ensure that narrative reports are submitted to HKI Headquarters, the regional office and donors as required by project agreements.
  • Submit information as requested for external audiences to the Asia-Pacific Regional Director and key Headquarters staff for review and approval before release.

Financial and Administrative:

  • Work with HKI Regional Office and HQ to manage the development of annual field budgets for the Philippines projects.
  • Ensure preparation of financial reports for the HKI Finance Department that comply with grant or contract agreements.
  • Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the guidelines established by the HKI Finance Department.
  • Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations for the Philippines projects.
  • Ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements for the Philippines projects.
  • Hire and manage personnel for the Philippines projects in compliance with HKI policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.
  • Ensure administrative and finance systems are in place and functioning efficiently to support HKI Philippines operations and are compatible with HKI general systems, policies and procedures.

Marketing and Fundraising:

  • Oversee the design of new innovative program concepts and the generation of concept papers, proposals and other information as needed for submission to donors and others for fundraising and marketing purposes.
  • Develop and disseminate appropriate packages of ‘lessons learned’ from HKI’s experiences for the Philippines and international audiences.
  • Solicit funds and in-kind donations from corporations, foundations, governmental organizations, and international and bilateral agencies in the Philippines.
  • Collaborate with Regional Office, HKI-NY and HKI-Europe offices on fund-raising efforts.

Skills/Knowledge Required:

  • Ten (10) years of program related experience, including at least 7 years of managing a large staff, both local and international, in an international setting.
  • A Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, development, management or related field.
  • Excellent oral and written English language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications.
  • Demonstrated experience and skills in leadership, staff management, program development and management, monitoring and evaluation, and public speaking.
  • Demonstrated ability to generate program funding including donor cultivation and grant writing.
  • Computer literate in use of word-processing, spreadsheet and statistical software; experience in data analysis and interpretation is highly desirable.
  • Ability to travel within the Philippines regularly and periodically internationally.
  • Strong preference will be given to fluent Tagalog speakers.

The initial contract is for two years with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and availability of funding. Salary based on qualifications, experience, and grant requirements.

Interested candidates should submit: (1) a well-thought out cover letter in the body of the email; and (2) a current curriculum vitae in English, to Nancy J. Haselow, Vice President and Regional Director for Asia Pacific at nhaselow@hki.org and to HKI Human Resources at hkihr@hki.org. Please note HKI CD-Philippines in the header. All correspondence should include physical and e-mail addresses as well as contact telephone number(s). Only e-mail applications will be accepted.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants in working for HKI, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be notified.