CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Deputy Chief of Party for Partnerships and Strategic Engagement (Health Systems Strengthening Project)

Terms of Reference 

Position Title: Deputy Chief of Party for Partnerships and Strategic Engagement (Health Systems Strengthening Project)

Location: Quezon City, Philippines

Description

The Ateneo School of Government is the public policy academic arm of Ateneo de Manila University. Its long-term mission is to teach and work with effective and ethical public servants to build prosperous, sustainable, just, and happy communities in the Philippines, empowered by democratic, participatory, transparent, and accountable governance institutions and processes. Through its research and extension programs, and its work with public, private and civil society organizations, ASOG aims to develop and foster innovative ideas and approaches in order to change mindsets and systems in such areas as leadership, poverty eradication, climate change, social accountability, and politics.

ASOG is expecting to implement a project that will support current efforts to realize the goals of Universal Healthcare with specific emphasis on strengthening the performance, sustainability, resilience, and responsiveness of the local and national health systems. 

Tasks and Functions

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for Partnerships and Strategic Engagement plays a critical role in building and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders to advance the project's objectives. This position focuses on mobilizing resources, securing partnerships, and advocating for policy changes that support a robust health system in the targeted areas.

The DCOP for Partnerships and Strategic Engagement is expected to: 

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

• Identify and map key stakeholders, including government agencies (national and local), NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector entities, academia, and community leaders;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy to foster collaboration and ownership of project initiatives;
• Lead the cultivation and management of strategic partnerships to leverage expertise, resources, and influence in support of project goals;
• Facilitate regular communication and coordination mechanisms among stakeholders at all levels; and
• Represent the project in high-level meetings, negotiations, and stakeholder forums.

Resource Mobilization

• Identify and explore potential funding opportunities from public and private sector donors aligned with project objectives;
• Develop compelling proposals and grant applications to secure additional funding for project activities, if necessary;
• Manage existing partnerships and resource agreements to ensure efficient utilization of resources; and
• Collaborate with the DCOP for Program Management and Development to integrate resource mobilization strategies with project implementation plans.

Policy Advocacy and Influence

• Analyze the policy environment related to health systems strengthening and identify opportunities for influencing policy change;
• Develop evidence-based advocacy materials and strategies to influence policy decisions at local, national, and regional levels;
• Collaborate with partner organizations and stakeholders to advocate for policies that support the project's objectives; and
• Build relationships with policymakers and decision-makers to champion health systems strengthening initiatives.

Knowledge Management and Communication

• Develop and implement a communication strategy to disseminate project activities, findings, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders;
• Work closely with the M&E specialist to translate project data into clear and impactful communication materials (e.g., reports, brochures, infographics); and
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops and capacity-building events for stakeholders to promote collaboration and best practices.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, public policy, international development, or a related field is an advantage;
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and advocacy within the health sector;
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with government agencies at all levels, NGOs, CSOs, private sector entities, and academia;
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent writing and public speaking abilities;
• Experience in grant proposal development and resource mobilization; and
• Understanding of policy development processes and advocacy strategies.

Desired Competencies

The competencies listed below go beyond traditional public health competencies and emphasize social determinants of health and a systems approach, particularly grounded in localization. The more critical competencies are on execution and operations strategy, particularly in communication, conflict management, and building partnership relations with stakeholders. These are crucial for effectively implementing and managing the project, especially in a complex environment of multiple stakeholders, multilevel implementation, and complex environment like the healthcare sector. These skills can facilitate collaboration, mitigate challenges, and ensure smooth project implementation, ultimately contributing to the success of the initiative. Other competencies include:

• Stakeholder Engagement. Exceptional ability to identify, engage, and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders across government, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
• Collaboration and Partnership Management. Proven track record of fostering collaboration and managing partnerships to achieve shared goals, promoting joint ownership of project initiatives.
• Communication and Negotiation. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to build consensus, manage expectations, and navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Strategic Thinking and Resource Mobilization. Ability to identify strategic funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and secure additional resources to support project activities.
• Policy Advocacy and Influence. Strong understanding of policy development processes and advocacy strategies. Skilled in analyzing the policy environment, developing evidence-based advocacy materials, and influencing policy decisions at various levels.
• Resource Management. Ability to manage existing partnerships and resource agreements efficiently, ensuring optimal utilization of funds in support of project goals.
• Knowledge Management. Skilled in translating complex project data into clear and impactful communication materials for diverse audiences.
• Communication Strategy Development. Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that effectively disseminates project information, findings, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Facilitation and Capacity Building. Experience in facilitating knowledge-sharing workshops and capacity-building events to promote collaboration and best practices among stakeholders.
• Cultural Competency. Understanding of and sensitivity to the local context and cultural dynamics relevant to the project and stakeholder engagement.
• Adaptability and Flexibility. Ability to adapt to changing situations, navigate complex environments, and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Results Orientation. Proven ability to deliver results, achieve project objectives, and contribute to the overall success of the Health Systems Strengthening Project.

All interested applicants must submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. An Application Letter addressed to Dr. Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government

Submit the required documents via email to policycenter.asog@ateneo.edu and use “[SURNAME] - DCOP for Partnerships - Health Systems Strengthening Project” as email subject.

Deadline for the submission of applications is on 30 April 2024.