MIS Developer, SPRING - Philippines

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: MIS Developer
Reports to: Deputy Team Leader, with a dotted line to MEL Lead
Direct Reports: None
Location: Home based with travel to Manila
Duration: 15 May 2026 - 30 June 2027 (90 days), with potential to extend based on needs
 
SUMMARY OF 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 is 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 Philippine 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 service.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
 
Reporting to the SPRING Deputy Team Leader, but working closely with the Team Leader, MEL Team, and Operations Team, this role will lead the development of the SPRING Management Information System (MIS) and provide technical support during its roll out. Periodic inputs on maintenance and evolution may be required for the remainder of the program.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
The main responsibility of this Adviser is timely development and operationalisation of SPRING's MIS. The system will serve as an enabler of streamlined program operations and transparent approvals, an aggregator of different SPRING data with the option to generate predefined and visualised reports, and underpin the management of the upcoming SPRING subnational grant mechanism.
 
1. Design Phase (May-Jun 2026, 10 days)

• Consult key SPRING staff to clarify the scope and business goal of the system
• Lead design to effectively capture and manage information related to operations, MEL, grants management and knowledge management
• Draft a design brief that articulates:
  • The business goals of the MIS
  • Compares options for suitable, proportionate platforms to meet this goal
  • Estimates the Level of Effort required to implement each option
• Ensure the design supports agreed business processes and delivery models, without assuming or imposing governance or policy changes.

2. Development Phase: Database and SharePoint App development (Jul-Oct 2026, 60 days)
Lead the development of the MIS covering functionality relating to: data collection, data cleaning and quality assurance, data storage, data processing/analysis, data visualisation/reporting, and grants management and monitoring processes. This could be module-by-module focusing on priority modules initially, or all in one go depending on clarity of business processes at design.
 
System requirements will be refined during the Design Phase of the assignment. However, at the outset, it is expected that system will need the following capabilities:

• ability to support workforce and HR management, including leave approvals, tracking, performance appraisals, and tracking/monitoring of STA inputs
• ability to support activity coordination, collaboration and document workflows
• ability to track and enable approvals, delegations and decision-making records
• ability to support activity-based budgeting and expenditure visibility
• ability to manage and report on grant activities
• ability to collect and manage MEL data, including from subnational locations
• ability to collect, disaggregate and report data on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and other DFAT priority strategic areas (including climate change, locally led development and emerging sectors)
• ability to upload data in bulk, e.g. uploading using a spreadsheet or copying and pasting rows of data into the systemsecure and supportive of different access levels e.g. admin, user and read-only; and by assigned group (e.g. HR, MEL, Subnational)
• uses intuitive data entry forms, with data validation checks, whenever possible.
• ability to automatically back-up data periodically (e.g. monthly at the minimum with the option to set at weekly interval for fast-moving data tables.
• allows for addition of more data tables as need arises
• can produce reports quickly and easily in dashboard format (using PowerBI) that can be shared with DFAT and partners
• allows for more 'in-depth' analysis and reporting of qualitative and quantitative, potentially with the use of AI models to assist in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• can manage both qualitative and quantitative data
• potential to incorporate, aggregate and summarise/visualise reports and data from other SPRING implementing partners (UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Bank)
• can be administered by SPRING team members, and is user-friendly and inclusive where possible
• ability to be easily integrated in a website
• guidelines or FAQs developed to address common questions or issues related to the system

 
Additionally, the following systems need to be developed with potential for other systems to be requested during the design phase:

• Implementation Tracking System-
  • Reform pathway TOR and activity design submission and approval
  • Deliverable submission platform to be accessed by consultants
  • Dashboard summarising approval and deliverable status of TORs and activity design
  • Automations and notifications in place to prompt relevant users to sign or review documents.
• Grant Management System -
  • Grant proposal submission and approval accessible to grant recipients
  • Deliverable submission platform accessible to grant recipients
  • Dashboard summarizing approval and deliverable status of grants
  • Automations and notifications in place to prompt relevant users to sign or review documents.

 3. System Support and Management (Nov 26 - Jun 27, 20 days)

• Provide necessary maintenance, troubleshooting and support to ensure that the application and dashboards operate seamlessly, and any errors and warnings are addressed within a reasonable timeframe.
• Provide capacity building support to MEL Officer and IT Officer with more complex aspects of MIS maintenance, troubleshooting and corrective measure.
• Work closely with and provide capacity building support to MEL, IT, Finance, Procurement and Grants staff, enabling different teams to administer the system.

 
QUALIFICATIONS AND Requirements
 
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering or a closely related field.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 8 years combinedexperience in software development, database management, and designing    dashboards and websites.
• Demonstrated experience with MEL and/or grants information systems (MIS), outcome tracking, and quality assurance.
• Experience with DFAT-funded programs or similar international development programs in Southeast Asia.

Key Abilities and Skills

• Proficiency in designing, building and maintaining MIS systems, and integrating these with technical and operational aspects of international development programs.
• Expertise in data visualization tools (PowerBI)
• Experience implementing standardized data collection and backup protocols.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with program teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• 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.
 
Interested candidates can apply as an individual or as a team.
 
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
 
Please send your cover letter addressing the position selection criteria and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to hr@springphilippines.org, mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line "SPRING MIS Developer" or apply online.
 
Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly encouraged to apply.
 
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. Persons with disabilities may send a request for reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process to hr@springphilippines.org.
 
Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
 
Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery.
 
Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks.
 
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.