Senior Programme Advisor

IDLO Philippines is committed to assisting its partner institutions such as the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Governance, the Philippine Commission on Women, and the Office of the Ombudsman to protect and advance the rule of law in the Philippines.

The IDLO Department of Programmes is the central management and coordinating function for program delivery and capacity development. It is responsible for the implementation of IDLO’s global program portfolio for field and non-field locations in line with organizational strategy.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager, the Senior Programme Advisers focus on engagement with the justice sector high officials, inter-institutional justice data systems, civil society engagement and strategic planning. They provide authoritative advice by combining legal expertise, political perspectives, and a practical analysis of previous development initiatives. They help define programming, set strategic goals, advocate with justice institutions and other stakeholders, and innovate by originating new programming. 

The Senior Programme Advisers may represent IDLO with Partners, IDLO HQ staff, government officials, technical advisors and experts, donors, and civil society.

Summary of Functions:

1. Lead strategic planning and programme development by engaging with senior justice sector high-officials and facilitating inter-institutional coordination.
2. Represent IDLO at conferences, meetings, and events.
3. Lead programme conceptualization and implementation, including drafting and finalization of programme documents, both for internal and external use.
4. Supervise output and activity monitoring and report on programmatic progress, challenges, and impact.
5. Ensure programme compliance under funding agreements as well as IDLO quality standards.

Key results expected:

1. Lead strategic planning and programme development by engaging with senior justice sector high-officials and facilitating inter-institutional coordination.

• Ensure that IDLO and its implementation and institutional partners synchronize and support their development goals and programme strategies;
• Build relationships with development partners engaged in the justice and rule of law sector, UN agencies, CSO's through meetings and the preparation of reports and briefs;
• In coordination with the rest of the country team, generate ideas and identify new programme opportunities; provide substantive input in the development of concept notes aimed at innovatively meeting the needs of the Philippine justice system and its users, in line with the IDLO Strategic Plan.

          2. Represent IDLO at conferences, meetings, and events;

• Serve as master of ceremonies, speaker, or panel contributor at conferences, workshops, and other events;
• Lead the development and delivery of technical presentations that advocate for the strategic and programmatic objectives of IDLO and its programmes;
• Lead the creation and delivery of presentations and training modules at capacity development events.

3. Lead programme conceptualization and implementation: work planning, budget management, monitoring, and reporting, and ensure that all phases of the programme are consistent with the programme design and delivery schedule;

• Lead revisions to programme design and work plans; provide advice and make recommendations for timely and optimal course corrections;
• Supervise programme experts and consultants; review, edit, and improve work products and deliverables; approve deliverables for purposes of payments to consultant experts and service providers;
• Supervise research on legal, political, social, and economic events, trends, and/or developments relating to the program;
• Lead the design, research, drafting, and editing of legal working papers, memos, briefs, and other original materials in the field experience, and utilize these materials for the development of relevant outputs;
• Ensure program deliverables meet quality standards and proactively coordinate the input from relevant substantive experts.

4. Supervise output and activity monitoring and report on programmatic progress, challenges, and impact.

• Lead the drafting and provide inputs to annual, quarterly, monthly, and biweekly reports, highlighting the value and impact the program/activity brings;
• Identify project and team successes and lead documentation for internal and external information sharing;
• Develop innovative means to measure output and impact of programming.

5. Ensure programme compliance under funding agreements as well as IDLO quality standards.

• Identify and report difficulties or possible change in the program strategy, objectives, results or activities, and make recommendations for timely and optimal course corrections;
• Ensure compliance with program contracts and subcontracts;
• In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, review, draft and advise on contracts, agreements and other legal documents.

Education and Work Experience

• Advanced university degree in international development, law, public administration, business administration, public policy or other relevant social sciences.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within an international organization.
• Professional experience in capacity development and Rule of Law Programming

Languages

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Tagalog is required

Skills & Abilities

• Established reputation as a senior rule of law development professional with corresponding contacts, experience, and track record. Familiarity with standard program and data management tools, as well as results-based management and monitoring and evaluation principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT software and internet software.
• Works well with others and actively participates. Shares information, contributes, encourages and motivates others to become involved in team activities. Provides constructive feedback and willingly helps others. Contributes to a fair environment that fosters collaboration and cooperation. Works effectively across and within IDLO organizational boundaries.
• Acts as a role model and offers guidance to colleagues. Takes initiative to share knowledge, experiences and information with others. Accepts and gives constructive feedback (up, down and across) to develop and motivate others.
• Proven ability to see through tasks set and deliver results.
• The ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexibility and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability and willingness to travel, if necessary.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate. Self-motivated and dynamic with a willingness and ability to use initiative to assist the organization to achieve its objectives.

For this locally recruited position, IDLO shall offer the selected candidate a local affiliate contract initially for 12 months, with the possibility of extension, subject to performance and availability of funding.

In addition, IDLO shall offer medical insurance, and leave entitlements, including in accordance with IDLO Employee Regulations and Rules.

This local position is open to candidates who are nationals of the duty station or with permanent resident status or other legal authorization permitting them to work in the duty station. An employee subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international employees.

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications of qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application Deadline: 15 August 2025