Operations Specialist

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Operations Specialist Position Type (full/part time): Part Time Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): April - June 2026 (maximum of 15 working days, intermittent engagement)
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Metro Manila, Philippines with virtual coordination if necessary

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender equality (SPRING) program is Australia’s flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over 5 years that will support the joint Development Partnership Plan (DPP 2024-2029) between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government. The investment will be the DFAT’s primary avenue in the Philippines for supporting poverty reduction and bilateral funding on gender equality and social inclusion at the national level and with some select Local Government Units (LGUs). SPRING supports efforts under Australia’s new International Development Policy and DFAT’s forthcoming new strategies on gender equality, disability equity and rights, and translate these into implementation in the Philippines.

SPRING contributes to the goal that the social and economic transformation in the Philippines reduces poverty and provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos in line with the Philippines Development Plan.

The objective of SPRING is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.

SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

1. Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
2. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
3. The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
4. The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Operations Specialist will provide short-term technical support to review and document the operational systems of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program as part of the Old Age Social Protection Floor (SPF) study. Working under the supervision of the Team Leader (Old Age Pension Specialist), the Operations Specialist will assess how the SPISC operates at both national and local levels and identify opportunities for strengthening delivery efficiency and governance.

The assignment will involve reviewing SPISC operations within DSWD and selected LGUs, covering core administrative and organizational processes such as beneficiary registration and selection, enrolment and payment systems, grievance handling, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. The Operations Specialist will document findings and recommendations through an Operations Review Report and annex, contributing to the broader analytical outputs of the Old Age SPF study.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Operations Specialist will lead the assessment of operational systems and processes of the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program under the Old Age Social Protection Floor (SPF) study. He will ensure that the review captures both the administrative and institutional aspects of SPISC implementation at national and local levels. Specific responsibilities include:

1. Review of Administrative Processes

• Conduct a detailed review of SPISC administrative systems and workflows across national and LGU levels, focusing on the following areas:
• Communications - review information dissemination, beneficiary awareness, and feedback channels.
• Registration and Selection - assess targeting, intake procedures, and data management practices.
• Enrolment and Onboarding - examine account opening, enrolment verification, and coordination with payment service providers (PSPs).
• Payment and Cash-out Procedures - review timeliness, reconciliation, and beneficiary access to payments.
• Change Management - review DSWD and LGU strategies and mechanisms for managing organizational and procedural changes in SPISC implementation, including adjustments to institutional structures, workflows, staffing, and coordination protocols.
• Grievance and Redress Mechanisms - assess accessibility, response times, and resolution tracking.
• Other Delivery Processes - identify good practices and bottlenecks affecting beneficiary experience.

 2. Review of Organizational Systems

• Assess SPISC’s institutional and management systems at the national and local levels, including:
• Institutional and Human Resource Arrangements - map roles and responsibilities within DSWD and LGUs.
• Operational Documents and Guidelines - review manuals, process flows, and operational references.
• Management Information Systems (MIS) - assess data capture, integration, and reporting systems.
• Payment System and Financial Management - evaluate fund flow arrangements and accountability mechanisms.
• Social Accountability Mechanisms - examine transparency practices and community engagement.
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems - assess performance tracking and feedback loops.

 3. Field and Desk Review

• Coordinate and participate in field visits to selected LGUs to validate operational practices and identify local variations.
• Work with the National Social Protection Specialist and PDPB focal points to ensure access to relevant operational data and documents.
• Engage with DSWD, LGUs, and partner agencies to clarify processes and obtain updated implementation materials.

 4. Analysis, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing

• Prepare a concise Operations Review Report summarizing findings, process maps, and recommendations.
• Draft an annex for the main SPF report outlining key bottlenecks and proposed operational improvements.
• Contribute inputs to the overall presentation deck for the study’s dissemination events.
• Present findings during the workshop alongside the technical team.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

Deliverable / Milestone | Performance Indicator | Number of Days | Timeline

1. SPISC Operations Review Plan | Scope of assessment, LGU selection, and review framework finalized with the Team Leader | 1 Day | April 2026

2. Field and Desk Review of SPISC Operations | Completion of national-level review and LGU operations assessments; documentation of workflows and process observations | 6 Days | April 2026

3. Operations Review Report (Draft) | Draft report summarizing administrative processes, organizational systems, bottlenecks, and initial recommendations submitted | 5 Days | May 2026

4. Revised Operations Review Report and Annex | Finalized assessment incorporating team feedback and integrated annex for main SPF report | 1 day | May 2026

5. Presentation Inputs for the Workshop | Preparation of slides and technical inputs for virtual presentation during two-day report workshop | 1 Day | June 2026


JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• Advanced degree (master’s degree or higher) in Public Administration, Social Policy, Development Studies, Business Management, or another related field.
• Additional training in social protection systems, public sector operations, organizational development, or project management is an advantage.

Minimum Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in operations, program implementation, institutional process reviews, or delivery systems assessment for government or donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing or managing operational processes such as beneficiary registration, enrolment, payments, financial management, and grievance redress.
• Experience working with national government agencies (preferably DSWD) or LGUs on social protection or service delivery operations.
• Prior involvement in operational diagnostics or organizational system reviews is preferred.

Essential Skills:

• Strong analytical skills in mapping, assessing, and documenting administrative and operational workflows.
• Experience facilitating consultations, coordinating field visits, and validating processes with national and local stakeholders.
• Ability to write clear, concise operational review reports and technical notes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage constructively with government officials and technical teams.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of GEDSI principles, with knowledge or experience in promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion especially within adaptive programs like SPRING. This includes a clear understanding of and practical experience in safeguarding, particularly in the context of child protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH), with the ability to integrate safeguarding measures into program implementation.
• Compliance to DFAT policies on fraud control, financing terrorism, child protection and other social safeguards.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This is a rolling recruitment. Applications will be reviewed and vetted sequentially as they are received. We encourage interested individuals to apply as early as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.