Call for Applications: Information Specialist

Unit: Ateneo Policy Center - School of Government (APC-ASOG)

Duration: Three Months (initial contract; subject to renewal)

I. Brief Description 

The Ateneo School of Government is the public policy academic arm of the 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.

The Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity (PARTICIPATE) is a five-year program implemented by ASOG in partnership with the La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO). PARTICIPATE aims to increase and enhance non-partisan political participation by the citizenry and civil society organizations in government-administered national and local electoral processes as an essential element of true democratic governance. It advances political participation in elections through three interrelated objectives: 1) bolster citizen oversight of electoral processes, 2) increase the availability and accessibility of information to promote informed voting, and 3) support constituency-building for electoral reforms.

II. Scope of Work

The Information Specialist is expected to serve as technical expert responsible for leading the project’s overall communication, branding, and dissemination strategy. In coordination with the Chief of Party, he/she will also provide overall technical guidance in the implementation of the project’s programmatic information campaign.

In particular, the Information Specialist is expected to:

• Lead, develop, maintain, and update the project’s communication strategy, branding and marking plan, and all associated  work  plan  in  collaboration  with  the  PMO,  the  Ateneo  Policy  Center,  consortium  partners, and the project funder;
• Coordinate closely  with  country  and  regional  communication  units  and  point  persons of  the  project  funder and partners for effective project objective messaging;
• Establish a sound system and process of communicating with media contacts, including press  conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc. which will serve as guidance for all consortium  partners;
• Lead the overall campaign of the project that will increase the availability and accessibility of information to promote  informed  voting,  including  but  not  limited  to  overall  technical  guidance  to  consortium  partners on various information dissemination activities;
• Work with the Advocacy and Communications Officer and the  PMO  to  ensure  the  quality  and  appropriateness  of  communication  materials,  activities,  processes  and  messages  transmitted  to  the  press, partners and public, including the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of such media  materials;
• Contribute  in  developing  opportunities  to  strengthen  the  capacity  of  partners  through  appropriate  advocacy and communication training which will help improve the dissemination of program results;
• Ensure that human resources (consultants) and financial resources (budget planning, management and  monitoring) of assigned activities are both effectively managed and optimally used;
• Work with  the  Chief  of  Party and  the  PMO in ensuring  that  communication  baselines are established  against which the achievement of objectives of the communication strategy are regularly evaluated; and
• Perform any other tasks relevant to the project as directed by the Chief of Party.

III. Qualifications

The qualifications for the Information Specialist position are as follows: 

1. Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) degree in information sciences,  sociology, social psychology or related fields; Ongoing completion of an advanced  university degree may be considered, provided that he/she has relevant management,  public policy and/or industry experience;
2. At least 3 years of professional experience in projects involving information and  communication, information systems, information technology and similar projects in a  development context;
3. Extensive work experience in Philippines or comparable environments;
4. Proven ability to lead and form constructive partnerships in government and the  private sector;
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills;
6. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, with keen attention to detail and the  ability to work in a team; and
7. Flexibility to adapt to any subsequent changes in the terms of reference.

IV. Application Requirements

All interested applicants must submit the following:

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

Please submit the required documents via email to policycenter.asog@ateneo.edu and use “[SURNAME] – Information Specialist” as email subject. Deadline for the submission of application is on November 15, 2024.