Philippines, In-Country Advocacy Coordinator, Health Systems Strengthening

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) supports civil society organizations advocating for public health policies that reduce death and disease. We bring a proven advocacy approach and a global network of local partners, built on a 25-year track record of success across multiple issues in more than 60 countries. GHAI is an initiative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. 

12-month consultancy with an estimated start date of December 1, 2023. 

About the Data for Health (D4H) Program: 

GHAI is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative, which supports low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and the Pacific to improve civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. Civil registration systems are the systems that register births, deaths, foetal deaths, and other vital events. Civil registration data is used to produce vital statistics, which are essential for government planning and policymaking; and birth and death registration create and retire an individual’s legal identity. 

Under the D4H Initiative, GHAI provides technical assistance to help countries strengthen their CRVS systems through (1) legal reviews and reforms, (2) budget advocacy for increased and sustainable funding of these systems, and (3) civil society-led advocacy to drive public demand for CRVS services and political prioritization of the issue.  

About D4H in Philippines: 

Since 2022, GHAI has been working closely with the Philippines Department of Health and the Philippine Statistics Authority to analyse the gaps in existing legal frameworks that govern the CRVS system in the Philippines as well as draft an omnibus CRVS bill and implementing regulations. In 2023, we are exploring opportunities to expand our engagement and include budget advocacy to help secure increased and sustainable domestic investment for a successful implementation of CRVS system reforms in the country. 

About the position: 

GHAI seeks an in-country consultant (ICC) with advocacy expertise to support CRVS legal, policy, budget, and/or media advocacy in Philippines, in collaboration with the GHAI’s Data for Health team, GHAI’s civil society grantee in Philippines -- the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), national CRVS stakeholders, and local and global partners. The position requires a well-developed understanding of in-country advocacy campaigns that lead to national policy and budgetary change, strategic thinking, strong project management and coordination skills, and the ability to work within cross-functional teams. The position will report to the Associate Director, Advocacy, within GHAI’s Data for Health Program.  

This position is based in the Philippines and is open to individuals who live in the Philippines and have right to work there. 

Key Responsibilities of the Role: 

• Budget advocacy and policy advocacy leadership 
• Apply a strong working knowledge of the Philippines’s political and administrative systems, processes, and players to identify opportunities to advocate for changes in budget and other policies related to CRVS. 
• Develop and apply a deep understanding of budgetary issues related to CRVS in Philippines; closely monitor and report new developments throughout the budget cycle. 
• Continuously appraise the policy landscape, including potential opposition, to ensure that partners are taking advantage of timely opportunities. 
• Country project and program management 
• In consultation with GHAI’s Data for Health team, support the development and operationalization of a CRVS advocacy strategy for Philippines, to be implemented in partnership with a local civil society organization funded by GHAI. 
• Assist partner development and implementation of work plans that feed into a coordinated, overarching CRVS advocacy strategy that leverages each partner's strengths and minimizes duplication. 
• Monitor partner performance to ensure deliverables are met and help modify work plans as needed. 
• Advocacy support, coaching/mentoring, and coordination 
• Maintain and regularly update databases of relevant stakeholders, including the Philippines government at the federal level and at subnational (e.g., district) level as appropriate, civil society organizations, private sector players, and international partners. 
• Help to identify government and CSO partners and support those advocates to build and maintain productive partnerships (at national and subnational levels) to ensure support for the passage of strong policies and implementation processes. 
• Support government partners to formulate policy objectives, strategies, and timelines for advocacy campaigns targeted at passing laws or regulations or implementing policies in line with the country strategy. 
• Provide and/or facilitate technical assistance to partners as needed. 
• Relationship and coalition building 
• Help build strategic relationships with government, non-government, and other organizations that have a stake in CRVS at the national and district level. 
• Support, where appropriate, the development and strengthening of coalitions in Philippines that support CRVS. 
• Representation and reporting 
• Represent GHAI at key meetings with partners and policymakers to ensure that GHAI policy positions and priorities are fully communicated to all stakeholders. 
• Hold regular strategy discussions and progress meetings with GHAI’s Data for Health advocacy team to assess and guide work progress. 
• Represent GHAI as the primary liaison with implementing partners in Philippines. 
• Perform duties as requested by the GHAI team to further program goals and objectives. 
• Produce quality and timely reports and papers on activities and other deliverables for the assigned portfolio of work and report against established targets. 
• Facilitate regular, in-person meetings with partners, and telephone meetings between partners and GHAI at the national and/or district level. 
• Travel as needed to participate in regional and global events representing GHAI. 

SKILLS YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant area like public policy, law, public health, or political science. 
• Technical expertise in policy and budget advocacy. At least five years of experience in deploying advocacy as a tool for policy change with a deep understanding of advocacy for increased domestic resource allocations for health, the elements of advocacy campaign development and implementation. 
• Strong working knowledge of Philippines political and administrative systems. 
• Experience in advising CSOs, coalitions, or networks on the implementation of coordinated advocacy strategies. 
• Experience in public health or CRVS a plus. Experience in related areas such as human rights, public financial management, and transparency in government is also a plus. 
• Proven ability to build and maintain relations with key government officials, political leaders, and international partners, and use those relations to achieve policy or systems change. 
• Proven ability to build strong professional relationships and work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. 
• Excellent analytical skills and writing and research ability. 
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication. 
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. 

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make The Campaign's work more inclusive. We encourage qualified applicants of all ages, racial, economic, social, cultural, sexual orientation, ability and gender expressions, national origins, and veteran statuses to apply. 

Organizational Overview 

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) supports civil society organizations advocating for public health policies that reduce death and disease. We bring a proven advocacy approach and a global network of local partners, built on a 25-year track record of success across multiple issues in more than 60 countries. GHAI is an initiative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. For more information, visit www.advocacyincubator.org.