Company Description
ABOUT GOOD RETURN
Good Return's mission is to enable those living in poverty to achieve economic empowerment through responsible financial inclusion and capability development. We do this by engaging with partners across the Asia Pacific, where two-thirds of the world’s poor live. We help them deliver better financial services and economic opportunities to those living in poverty.
Our work focuses on promoting responsible inclusive finance, building financial capability & consumer empowerment, and providing access to credit through our micro lending platform and impact investment programming to support SMEs in the agricultural sector.
Good Return is the registered business name of World Education Australia, an Australian Aid accredited agency and member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). We hold Australia Financial Services License granted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Visit www.goodreturn.org.au for more information.
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
We have been working in partnership with various Financial Service Providers across the Asia Pacific Region since 2010. Our current partners are located in Cambodia, Indonesia, PNG, Nepal, Philippines, Myanmar, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Australia.
Our partnerships are based on a shared mission to provide responsible and inclusive financial services to people living in poverty as well as build the financial capability of consumers.
Our microfinance partners are committed to improving their social performance management systems, which include implementing the seven client protection principles.
Please visit our website (www.goodreturn.org.au) for further information on our partners.
Job Description
Scope of Position
The Philippines Country Coordinator is responsible for leading the delivery of Good Return’s country strategy by implementing and managing projects under its core programs, including Financial Capability and Inclusive Finance.
The Country Coordinator will supervise in-country staff involved in project implementation in the Philippines, ensuring their work aligns with the overall country strategy. Collaboration with the Financial Capability Team, Inclusive Finance Team, and Cross-Expertise Team will be critical to ensure that programs are delivered effectively with their technical support and contextualized to meet the specific needs of the Philippines.
As the lead representative in the Philippines, the Country Coordinator ensures that Good Return’s mission, values, and reputation are consistently and effectively upheld, creating a strong presence and building a positive profile at key forums, events, and engagements with partners, donors and stakeholders.
The Country Coordinator is also accountable for developing and delivering on a 3-year country strategy aligned with Good Return’s strategic plan and developing the annual business plan outlining activities and measures of success, with support from team members. This role involves ensuring strategic alignment, financial accountability, and high-impact delivery of programs while maintaining strong partnerships in-country.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Note: The KPIs outlined below are provided as a guide. Specific quarterly targets are to be negotiated with the supervisor.
1. Project Implementation and Management (50%)
- Lead the implementation of Financial Capability and Inclusive Finance projects in the Philippines, ensuring alignment with the country strategy.
- Manage and monitor project budgets as needed, ensuring financial accountability and compliance with organisational policies.
- Develop and oversee annual work plans for projects, ensuring effective and timely delivery.
- Supervise staff in the Asia Team focused on project implementation in the Philippines, ensuring their work supports project goals and that their professional development needs are met in a positive work culture.
- Work closely with the Financial Capability Team, Inclusive Finance Team, and Cross-Expertise Team to ensure programs are delivered with their technical support and tailored to the Philippines’ context.
- Provide technical assistance and training to partners as needed, leveraging expertise from the Good Return team.
KPIs
All projects delivered on time and within budget, with clear documentation of outcomes.
Achievement of program targets as per agreed work plans and reporting metrics.
Partner satisfaction and enhanced capacity as evidenced by Annual Partnership Survey or other partner feedback and performance metrics.
2. In-Country Representation, Partnership Management & Project Development (30%)
- Conduct scoping visits and needs assessments to identify opportunities for projects and partnerships that align with Good Return’s mission, vision, values, and strategy.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with current partners, ensuring ongoing collaboration and alignment with program goals.
- Promote Good Return’s Financial Capability and Inclusive Finance programs to potential partners in the Philippines, conduct due diligence, and manage the MoU/contract process to establish new partnerships with support from the Quality and Compliance Specialist.
- Strategise funding sources and develop project proposals in alignment with the Good Return Program Manual, with the support of the Grants Writer and Asia Regional Manager.
- Research and implement options for Good Return’s growth in the Philippines, including exploring registration or operational mechanisms to enhance the organisation’s ability to grow its team and projects.
- Represent Good Return at events and meetings in the Philippines, ensuring visibility and advocacy for its programs and mission.
KPIs
Attend and represent Good Return at a minimum of 5 key forums, events, or donor meetings annually.
Secure at least two new partnership opportunities by the end of each year.
Contribute to the development of at least 2 concept notes/project proposals by the end of each year.
3. Strategy Development and Budget Management (10%)
- Develop the 3-year country strategy aligned with Good Return’s overarching strategic plan, with the support of the Asia Regional Manager.
- Prepare and oversee the annual business plan for the Philippines, ensuring it aligns with the country strategy.
- Lead project budget planning, monitoring, and financial reporting as needed, supported by Good Return team members.
KPIs
Submit the 3-year country strategy and update progress against the strategy according to the deadline.
Submit the annual business plan for the Philippines and update progress against the plan according to the deadline.
Ensure 100% compliance with financial reporting requirements, with quarterly reports submitted on time.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation (10%)
- Collaborate with the Cross-Expertise MEL Team to implement effective data collection and reporting mechanisms, including training of enumerators as needed.
- Ensure program design and delivery are informed by evidence and best practices.
- Document lessons learned and contribute to the organisation’s knowledge base, supported by the Cross-Expertise Learning Design Team.
KPIs
Submit at least two high-quality MEL reports annually by the agreed deadlines.
Implement and document three program improvements based on MEL insights by the end of the year.
5. Other duties as required
Qualifications
SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
- Philippines national, fluent in Filipino (or most commonly spoken native languages e.g. Tagalog and Cebuano would be advantageous).
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Demonstrated experience in program management within development or related sectors.
- Strong understanding of financial capability and financial inclusion concepts, with an ability to contextualize and adapt tools and curriculums to local needs.
- Experience in training and workshop facilitation and working in grassroots communities.
- Excellent relationship-building and partnership management skills.
- Proven ability to manage budgets and financial reporting effectively.
- Leadership experience with staff supervision and cross-functional collaboration.
- A passion and a commitment to Good Return’s vision of a world without poverty.
- A passion and commitment to gender equality, disability inclusion and cultural diversity.
- Ability and willingness to travel within the Philippines and to other countries of operation, as needed.
Additional Information
Location: The role is based full-time in Manila, Philippines. The role involves considerable domestic travel, and requires an availability and willingness to spend up to 50% of time traveling within the Philippines and Good ReturnProgram countries.
Level of Effort: Full-time. 2-year contract with potential for extension
Applications can be submitted by selecting the 'I'm interested' link below.
Applicants should provide their Cover Letter and CV addressing how they meet the criteria for the position. Cover Letters can be written in the message section or uploaded together with a CV file.
Please indicate how you heard about this position.
Enquiries can be directed via the Good Return website https://goodreturn.org.au/contact/
Applications close: Accepted until January 5. Please apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed continually.
Additional notes:
- Good Return is an inclusive organisation. We strive to build a team that truly represents our diverse society and those of the Asia-Pacific communities we operate in. We actively encourage all applicants, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability and sexuality, to apply. If you require adjustments to the recruitment or interview process to accommodate your specific needs, let us know and we will try to provide them.
- Good Return is a child safe organisation. Our recruitment processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children from abuse; successful candidates will need to comply by our Child Protection Policy and undergo pre-employment checks.
