Senior Manager - Program Services, Compliance, and Grants (SM - PSCG)

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Senior Manager - Program Services, Compliance, and Grants (SM - PSCG)
Position Type (full/part time): Full Time
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): One year, with possibility of multiyear renewal.
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Metro Manila, Philippines

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 Senior Manager - Program Services, Compliance, and Grants (SM-PSCG) is a key member of SPRING’s program management team. Reporting to the Deputy Team Leader (DTL), the SM -PSCG is responsible for ensuring the program’s enabling services-including Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, Logistics, and Office Administration-operate effectively and in compliance with DFAT and Cowater requirements.
The SM -PSCG also leads the program Grants and Compliance function, overseeing the design, disbursement, monitoring, and reporting of program grants, and ensuring that systems are transparent, accountable, and responsive to DFAT’s fiduciary and safeguards standards. The SM - PSCG will work closely with the DTL and the broader SPRING team to ensure program systems underpin high-quality delivery, effective risk management, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning, Implementation and Reporting

• Support the DTL in preparing workplans, budgets, and progress reports, ensuring compliance with DFAT and Cowater requirements.
• Provide accurate operational and financial inputs to donor and program reporting.
• Contribute to monitoring and mitigating program risks, particularly fiduciary, compliance, and reputational risks.

Program Services

• Supervise Finance and Administration teams in managing budgets, expenditure, and compliance with DFAT financial standards.
• Oversee procurement, contracting, and contract monitoring in line with DFAT and Commonwealth Procurement Rules, as well as local regulations.
• Ensure adherence to the Program Operations Manual, updating procedures as required.
• Provide input on security operations and staff safety protocols.

Compliance and Safeguards

• Ensure DFAT safeguards (child protection, environment, PSEAH, fraud prevention and control, due diligence) are embedded across program services.
• Conduct spot checks, internal reviews, and audits to strengthen accountability and transparency.
• Build staff capacity to apply DFAT safeguards and compliance requirements in day-to-day program delivery.

Grants Management

• Oversee negotiation and management of grant agreements, ensuring alignment with DFAT rules and standards.
• Support partners to strengthen financial management and internal controls.
• Ensure grants policies and manuals are current, compliant, and consistently applied.
• Coordinate partner financial reviews, audits, and internal control visits.
• Supervise relevant program staff in managing program grants.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education

• Graduate qualification in a relevant area such as administration, finance, management, or international development.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in donor-funded programs, with progressive responsibility in program services, compliance, and grants.
• Demonstrated experience working with DFAT, with proven application of safeguards, risk management, and fiduciary policies.
• Demonstrated experience supervising or leading multidisciplinary support teams (finance, HR, procurement, IT, logistics, grants).
• Strong knowledge of DFAT requirements, systems, and compliance frameworks; or demonstrated ability to acquire this knowledge quickly.

Key Abilities and Skills

• Strong leadership, integrity, and ethical standards.
• Excellent analytical, compliance, and risk management skills.
• Organised, meticulous, detail-oriented, and able to deliver high-quality results within donor frameworks.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office 365 (SharePoint, Word, Excel, PPT, and Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines while being able to adapt to evolving needs of the programs as projects, and in responding to government partners with ease.
• Highly developed problem-solving skills, and ability to identify and manage risks, and analyse, plan and develop appropriate responses to complex situations, and highly developed problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills with peers, subordinates and supervisors
• Proficiency in written and oral English and Filipino.
• 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.