Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Experts

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Experts
Sector: GEDSI, MEL, Capacity Building, Program Management
Position Type: Part-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term
Position Location: Philippines
  
Call for Expression of Interest: Pool of Experts for Short-Term Services
(Individual Consultants and Consulting Organisations- International)

1. INTRODUCTION
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.

2. PURPOSE OF THIS EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
SPRING is establishing a pool of pre‑qualified international experts and organisations to support the implementation of program activities. This includes individual consultants and organisations capable of providing qualified experts for short‑term technical assignments. Multiple short-term service contracts are anticipated over the next 12 months across various technical areas.

This EOI is open to both individual consultants and organisations (including consulting firms, NGOs, and other qualified entities) that can provide suitably qualified experts to deliver short‑term technical services under the SPRING program. Organisations may be invited to propose named experts or multiple experts across different technical areas. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee assignment of work to the organisation or its proposed experts.
This EOI aims to pre-qualify experts with relevant experience, skills, and expertise in social policy, social protection, gender equality, climate change, shock responsiveness, disability inclusion, Indigenous Peoples' rights, and related technical areas. Pre-qualified experts will be contacted directly when specific assignments become available, streamlining the procurement process and ensuring timely program implementation.

Inclusion in the roster does not constitute pre‑approval for contracting and does not limit SPRING’s or DFAT’s right to apply competitive selection, value‑for‑money assessment, or due diligence at the assignment stage.

2.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this EOI:

• “Individual Consultant” refers to a natural person contracting in their personal capacity.
• “Organisation” refers to a legally registered entity (e.g. consulting firm, NGO, academic or research institution) proposing to provide one or more suitably qualified experts for short‑term assignments.
• “Proposed Expert(s)” refers to named or indicative personnel put forward by an Organisation to deliver the required technical services.

The detailed Terms of Reference for the Call can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ToR_SPRING-EOI_International-Pool.pdf

3. AREAS OF EXPERTISE REQUIRED   
SPRING seeks individual experts and organisations with expertise across a range of cross‑cutting, enabling, and systems‑strengthening areas that support the effective delivery of social protection, gender equality, disability, and social inclusion outcomes.

While SPRING includes social protection as a core thematic area, this EOI prioritises expertise that complements and strengthens program delivery, governance, systems, and partnerships, rather than primary social protection design and implementation.

Interested parties may apply for one or more technical areas for which they are qualified. Organisations may nominate multiple experts across different areas, provided each proposed expert meets the relevant qualification and experience requirements.

Complete details of the technical areas and expertise outlined in this link - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ANNEX-A_updated.pdf

3.1. GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion)
Expertise to support the mainstreaming, integration, and operationalisation of GEDSI principles across government systems, policies, and programs.
3.2. Policy, Institutional and Governance Strengthening
Expertise in strengthening policy, institutional, and governance frameworks at national and sub‑national levels.
  
3.3 Public Finance Management and Financing for Inclusive Services
Expertise to support equitable, gender‑responsive, and accountable public financing
3.4. Climate Change, Shock Responsiveness, and Resilience
Expertise supporting the integration of climate and shock considerations into government systems and programs.
3.5. Data, Digitalisation, and Information Systems
Expertise to strengthen data use, digital systems, and accountability.
3.6 Program Management, Grants, and Partnerships
Expertise to support effective program delivery, oversight, and partnerships.
3.7 Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Adaptive Management
Expertise to support evidence‑based decision‑making and adaptive programming.
3.8 Capacity Building and Change Management
Expertise in strengthening human, institutional, and system capacity.
3.9 Learning and Materials Development
Expertise in content materials (e.g. module, trainers manual) and supplementary materials (e.g. videos).

4. QUALIFICATIONS:
4.1 Individual Eligibility Requirements

• Academic background, preferably with advanced studies or degrees, in the fields/s relevant to the required area/s of expertise indicated in section 3., above.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in a field/s relevant to the required area/s of expertise indicated in section 3., above.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with (i) government partners, including national government agencies and local government units; (ii) bilateral and multilateral development agencies; (iii) DFAT and DFAT-funded programs, and; (iv) relevant stakeholders, including CSOs engaged in social protection and GEDSI service delivery, Women’s Rights Organization (WRO), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPO), and other relevant groups in the performance of tasks related to indicated expertise. 
• Proven ability to produce high-quality technical outputs within agreed timelines.
• Strong command of, and with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, 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
• Experience of working in the Philippines and understanding of Philippine context is desirable.

4.2 Organisational Eligibility Requirements
Organisations applying under this EOI must demonstrate:

• Legal registration and good standing in their country of incorporation
• At least 7 years of organisational experience relevant to one or more of the technical areas outlined in Section 3
• Demonstrated experience delivering similar assignments for:
• Government institutions (national or sub‑national)
• Bilateral or multilateral development partners
• DFAT or DFAT‑funded programs (desirable)
• Robust internal systems for:
• Safeguarding (including Child Protection and SEAH)
• Fraud control and conflict‑of‑interest management
• Quality assurance of technical outputs
• Capacity to mobilise, manage, and supervise proposed experts to deliver assignments within agreed timelines.

Each proposed expert nominated by an Organisation must individually meet the minimum qualification and experience requirements outlined in Section 4.1–4.7.
  
5. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested individuals and organisations must submit the following documents, as applicable:

5.1 Requirements for Individual Consultants

• Signed Expression of Interest Form (Annex A) - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ANNEX-A_updated.pdf
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 4 pages) that clearly demonstrates alignment of academic qualifications and professional background and experience with one or more of the areas of expertise required.
• Copies of Academic Degrees and Professional Certifications
• At least three (3) professional references with contact information.
• Portfolio or Writing Samples (maximum 3 samples) to be requested as needed, demonstrating relevant expertise in selected areas/fields.

5.2 Requirements for Organisations

• Signed Expression of Interest Form (Annex A), signed by an authorised representative
• Organisational Profile (maximum 5 pages), including:
• Legal status and registration details
• Summary of relevant organisational experience
• Overview of relevant technical expertise aligned to Section 3
• CVs of Proposed Experts (maximum 4 pages per expert)
• At least three (3) organisational references for comparable assignments
• Safeguarding, SEAH, and Child Protection Policy (or equivalent)
• Declaration of any actual or potential conflicts of interest

Writing samples or portfolios may be requested per proposed expert, as relevant. Organisations may not substitute proposed experts without prior written approval from SPRING. Any substitution must demonstrate equivalent or superior qualifications and experience.
  
6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Email Submission: All applications must be submitted electronically to: hr@springphilippines.org

Subject Line Format:
Individual: EOI‑SPRING‑[TA NUMBER(S)]‑[INDIVIDUAL NAME]
Organisation: EOI‑SPRING‑[TA NUMBER(S)]‑[ORGANISATION NAME]
Example:
    EOI-SPRING-TA3-TA6-Joe Smith

Multiple Expertise Applications: Applicants may apply for multiple expertise. Submit one application with all relevant qualifications, specifying all expertise for which you qualify in the subject line (e.g., TA1-TA3-TA5).

File Format: Submit all documents as a single PDF file (maximum 20MB). Name the file:
Individual: [INDIVIDUAL NAME] _SPRING_EOI_2026.pdf
Organisation: [ORGANISATION NAME] _SPRING_EOI_2026.pdf

Application deadline: MAY 31, 2026.
  
7. INQUIRIES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or clarifications regarding this Expression of Interest, please contact:

SPRING HR Unit
Email: hr@springphilippines.org
Subject Line: INQUIRY - EOI SPRING 2026

Note: All inquiries must be submitted in writing via email. Deadline for inquiries is May 31, 2026. Responses to common questions will be shared with all interested parties who have submitted inquiries.

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 look forward to receiving your application and potentially working with you to advance social protection, gender equality, and social inclusion in the Philippines.

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