Senior Policy Adviser, Philippines

KEY INFORMATION
 
Job Title: Senior Policy Adviser
Position Type (full/part time): Part Time
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): April 2026 - June 2026 (up to 35 days)
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
 
Working closely with the Office of the Executive Director of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Senior Policy Adviser will be responsible for providing guidance in the development of the Disability Strategy and Action Plan, finalization of the omnibus amendment on disability and inclusion, and continuing roll out of the unified ID system. 
 
The role will include provision of technical advice, quality assurance and knowledge sharing with the leadership of NCDA including its governing body, division chiefs and regional directors. The Senior Policy Adviser is expected to report to the NCDA Executive Director at least 2 days a week. 
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provision of top-quality analyses and substantive inputs to the decade plan on disability and the omnibus amendment
• Delivery of substantive advice on ongoing programs or initiatives including the finalization of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Manual and the unified PWD ID system 
• Lead on writing the Disability Strategy and Action Plan with inputs from the Disability and Inclusion Adviser 
• Provision of advice on strategic areas for NCDA advocacy including but not limited to ongoing legislative discussions and proposed amendments
• Planning and facilitation of policy dialogues and public consultations on disability and inclusion
• Provision of policy options, draft policy documents and briefing notes to senior leadership in NCDA
• Delivery of substantive advice on ongoing programs or initiatives including the finalization of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Manual 
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on synthesis of lessons learned and best practices of relevant policy and programs on disability and inclusion

 
DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES
    
Deliverable: Inception Plan including literature review providing synthesis of relevant evidence of global best practices in disability inclusion 

• Indicative Date: April   
• # input days: Up to 3 days   

Deliverable: Design of policy dialogues, consultations and public forums or workshops with internal and external stakeholders  

• Indicative Dates: April to May 
• # input days: Up to 5 days     

Deliverable: Draft Disability Strategy and Action Plan 

• Indicative Dates: May  
• # input days: Up to 10 days   

Deliverable: Final Disability Strategy and Action Plan  

• Indicative Date: June 
• # input days: Up to 10 days 

Deliverable: 3-4 Policy Briefs responsive to NCDA priorities  

• Indicative Dates: April to June  
•  # input days: Up to 7 days  

    
TOTAL 
     Up to 35  days  
    

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• Minimum advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) or higher degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Law, Human Rights, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or related field. 
• A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above. 

 
Minimum Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in gender equality, disability, human rights or social protection at the national level
• Demonstrated expertise in national development strategies including integration of disability and inclusion in planning and budgeting systems
• Demonstrated expertise as well in whole-of-government consensus processes balanced with ability to engage relevant civil society stakeholders and organizations of persons with disability
• Experience in producing high-quality briefing materials in support of policy development  
• Experience designing and implementing inclusive development activities  
• Excellent analytical, research, oral, and writing skills in English and Filipino.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office/Teams applications and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.

 
Essential Skills:

• Proven ability to translate complex concepts into clear, practical policy guidelines, including examples, briefing notes, and learning materials.
• Demonstrated ability to review and strengthen technical content to ensure accuracy, policy alignment, and operational relevance for government training programs.
• Strong analytical skills to identify content gaps, overlaps, and prioritization options and translate these into actionable harmonization recommendations.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including ability to work with technical units, consolidate feedback, and support validation and revisions.
• 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 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.