Project Activity Lead for Philippines

Position: Project Lead

Contract Length: 24 months with possibility of extension

Country Programme: Philippines

Base: Manila, Philippines

Line Manager: Country Director

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech-based international non-governmental organization (NGO) that has provided humanitarian and development assistance across more than 20 countries since 1992. Today, PIN stands as one of the largest organizations of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, supporting vulnerable communities in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. PIN empowers civil society, advocates for human rights, and promotes social inclusion both in the Czech Republic and abroad. 

About the Philippines Programme of People in Need:

On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Yolanda) ravaged Eastern Samar, one of the poorest provinces of the country. The instant and large-scale emergency response provided by international organizations helped provide solutions to short-term problems and attended to the immediate needs of those affected. Now, we are also focusing on long-term development programs. We help revive and improve local markets and ensure new, alternative sources of livelihood for people. For instance, through LEAP, we promote sustainable livelihood opportunities by supporting seaweed farmers and coffee producers to improve production, access quality inputs, strengthen business skills, and connect with higher-value markets. By enhancing market access and value chain linkages, the project helps increase household incomes and build long-term economic resilience.

Following the Battle of Marawi, the longest urban war in the modern history of the Philippines, in cooperation with local partners, we helped young people affected by the conflict, distributed school uniforms, and provided legal advice and psychosocial support. We also provided sub-grants to local civil society organizations, and organized initiatives to empower the youth towards advocating for increased tolerance and respect for other religions and cultures.

We operate in some of the most impoverished and climate-vulnerable areas of the Philippines, strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities through disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and anticipatory action. By supporting communities to act on risk information before hazards strike and by delivering timely humanitarian assistance during emergencies, we help reduce disaster impacts and protect lives and livelihoods. We carry out this work in close partnership with local organizations, ensuring effective preparedness, early action, and rapid response for at-risk populations.

About the PASSAGE Project in the Philippines:

Seaweed farming is the Philippines’ largest aquaculture commodity and a strategic sector with global demand projected to double by 2030. Despite its importance, the industry faces persistent challenges including unsustainable practices, fragmented value chains, poor access to finance and inputs, and limited ability to meet international traceability and sustainability requirements. These constraints threaten the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers and weaken the country’s position in global markets.

This initiative, called PASSAGE, introduces a regenerative and traceable seaweed hub model designed to professionalize smallholder production, stabilize supply chains, and strengthen compliance with emerging social and environmental standards. By combining improved farming practices, affordable finance, digital traceability, and inclusive Marine Protected Areas, the project aims to increase productivity, reduce poverty, and enhance coastal ecosystem resilience while ensuring consistent, high-quality seaweed supply.

Over 48 months, PASSAGE will be gradually implemented in 6 provinces across the country, targeting more than 4,000 producers alongside processors, financial institutions, and public agencies. Through direct hub replication in ready sites and farmer readiness support in complex areas, the project will build resilient, investible seaweed value chains that reduce reliance on small scale fishing, strengthen local governance, and contribute to sustainable blue economy growth in Asia–EU markets.

About the role:

The Project Lead will have a key role in leading a project team, coordination with partner organizations, implementation and ensuring the overall quality of the “Philippines Advancing Seaweed Solutions for Asia’s Green Economy” or PASSAGE project in the Philippines.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Leadership and Management

• Lead the full project management cycle of the PASSAGE Project, supporting the development of the seaweed value chain across multiple provinces in Mindanao and BARMM (Sulu, Tawi Tawi, and the Zamboanga peninsula), Palawan, and the Visayas (Bohol and Antique).
• Provide overall strategic leadership and oversight throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring the achievement of project objectives and results.
• Ensure project implementation is guided by detailed work plans, realistic timelines, and adaptive management approaches.
• Coordinate and oversee project activities implemented by consortium partners and co-applicants.
• Manage relationships with co-applicant organizations and support effective collaboration throughout project implementation.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation progress, provide technical guidance, and support project teams and beneficiaries.

Team Leadership and Capacity Development

• Lead, supervise, and support the project team to ensure high performance and effective delivery of results.
• Manage staff performance, including objective setting, coaching, performance reviews, and professional development.
• Promote staff learning, capacity building, and continuous improvement across the project team.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and expertise in rural development, sustainable livelihoods, and agri-aqua value chain development.
• Ensure project interventions are aligned with sector best practices, innovation, and evidence-based approaches.
• Support the continued development of PIN's agriculture and aquaculture and value-chain development programming portfolio in the Philippines.

Programme Quality, MEAL, Accountability and PIN Standards

• Ensure project design and implementation comply with People in Need's programme quality standards, donor requirements, and international humanitarian and development standards.
• Promote evidence-based programming and adaptive management to improve project effectiveness and impact.
• In close collaboration with the MEAL Manager, lead monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) processes, including planning, data collection, analysis, learning, and reporting.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality collection and management of project data.
• Ensure project activities are supported by appropriate MEAL systems, indicators, methodologies, and learning mechanisms.
• Strengthen accountability to affected populations through effective feedback and complaint mechanisms and the use of lessons learned to improve programming.

Safeguarding, Inclusion and Risk Management

• Ensure the systematic integration of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles across all project activities.
• Ensure the effective implementation of Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) measures and safeguarding policies.
• Identify, monitor, and mitigate programmatic, operational, compliance, and partnership risks throughout project implementation.
• Ensure all project activities are implemented in a manner that promotes protection, inclusion, and do-no-harm principles.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Oversee project budget management, expenditure tracking, cash flow management, and budget forecasting.
• Ensure efficient and compliant use of project resources in accordance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Guarantee full programmatic and financial compliance with donor regulations and People in Need policies and procedures.
• Ensure all procurement, contracting, financial transactions, and project expenditures comply with organizational and donor requirements.

Partnerships, Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary focal point for project partners, consortium members, donor representatives, local stakeholders, relevant NGOs, and government authorities.
• Represent the project and People in Need in coordination forums, technical working groups, and other stakeholder engagements.
• Strengthen partnerships and collaboration with government agencies, private sector actors, research institutions, and development partners relevant to the seaweed value chain.

Donor Relations, Reporting and External Communication

• Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality donor, government, and internal reports in a timely manner.
• Represent the project to donors and external stakeholders, promoting project visibility and organizational positioning.
• In coordination with the Country Director, oversee external communications related to the project.
• Contribute to donor engagement, networking, visibility, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Business Development and Fundraising

• In coordination with the Country Director and Head of Programmes, identify and pursue fundraising opportunities in the rural development, agriculture, and aquaculture sectors, and value-chain development.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including the identification of co-funding opportunities for PASSAGE.
• Support proposal development and strategic growth of PIN's agriculture and aquaculture portfolio in the Philippines.

 

• Perform other duties as assigned by line management.

Main requirements:

Philippine nationals are highly encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience working with development organizations and the private/commercial sector;
• Experience in team management, project development, and project management;
• Strong grasp of all stages of programme cycle management, quality standards, and accountability mechanisms;
• University degree in a relevant field (Masters’ degree or equivalent experience);
• Experience in MSD (Market Systems Development) and VC (Value Chain) approaches would be an advantage;
• Preferably previous work-related experience in the Philippines and/or the Southeast Asia region;
• Preferable knowledge and experience in working with the European Union (EU) and managing EU-funded grants and projects;
• Experience leading or coordinating multi-partner consortia would be an advantage;
• Familiarity with the local context would be an advantage;
• Proficient spoken and written English;
• Knowledge of Tagalog or Visayan would be an asset;
• Willingness to travel, including to remote project sites.

Soft Skills and Personal Competencies

• Strong organizational, critical analysis, and problem-solving skills;
• Good networking, partnership-building, relationship management, and representation skills;
• Proficient communication and facilitation skills;
• Experience and passion for building the capacity of national teams;
• Strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge;
• Dynamic and results-oriented, with the ability to organize and plan effectively, and a responsible and systematic approach;
• Reliable and self-reliant personality, with a responsible and systematic approach to work;
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
• Cultural sensitivity;
• Reliable and self-reliant.

PIN Offers:

• Working environment in a well-established middle-sized and continuously growing humanitarian organization in a challenging context; in the largest INGO in Central and Eastern Europe;
• Salary and benefits according to PIN salary scale and HR policies; more detailed conditions will be shared with preselected candidates;
• Free access to e-learning sites, global PIN’s Induction Training, PIN Learning HUB, and individually tailored capacity-building opportunities; incl. HEAT training
• A supportive HQ that provides expertise and guidance on everything from finance and procurement to proposal development and strategic positioning;
• Personal and professional growth as a leader in the highly competitive development sector.

How to apply:
If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.
Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled.

People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.