Project Officer

Title: Project Officer

Location: Iligan City, Philippines

Travel: Travelling to the project sites is necessary

Job Family and Level: T3 - Technical

Pre hire checks: This role is classified as requiring standard pre-employment checks

Scope

Responsibility: Country level

Department: Programs Department

Reporting to: Project Manager

Direct reports: NA

Budget responsibility: NA

Relationship management: Programs team, MEAL, Support, BARMM ministries and LGUs, and implementing partner

Context

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being.

Currently, we work in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience.

Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France, and Relief International-Europe. Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.

About the Philippines Country Program

Relief International Philippines operates with a strong focus on peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and development programming in areas affected by conflict, natural disasters, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Since establishing its presence in the country, RI has worked closely with local communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions to support conflict-affected populations, promote social cohesion, and deliver life-saving assistance. The country's program integrates gender equality, youth empowerment, and community resilience across its portfolio, ensuring that interventions address both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges.

RI Philippines implements programs in Mindanao and other high-risk regions, supporting initiatives on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), protection, education in emergencies, and health. It also plays a role in disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, responding to both conflict- and climate-induced emergencies. Through a localized and participatory approach, RI Philippines strengthens local capacities and promotes inclusive development, aligning with national frameworks and global humanitarian and development standards.

Job Profile

The Project Officer supports the successful delivery of the " Y-LEAD BARMM: Catalyzing Youth Leadership for Peacebuilding and Participatory Governance in Lanao del Sur ," which strengthens youth leadership for peacebuilding, good governance, and local policy participation in Lanao del Sur. The role provides technical support and field-level coaching to the implementing partner and youth groups, ensuring quality in training rollout, stakeholder engagement, and youth participation. It also documents field activities and contributes to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes in line with Relief International standards, GEDSI principles, PSEA, Humanitarian Principles, and Do No Harm.

Key Responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

• Provides technical support at field level under the guidance of the Project Manager and MEAL Coordinator.
• Coordinates with the implementing partner, LGUs, youth groups, and community actors and manages routine field challenges.
• Flags emerging concerns and suggests adjustments to activities when needed.
  Ensures accurate and timely documentation of field activities and observations for MEAL.

Project Implementation and Coordination

• Provide technical guidance to the implementing partner and youth groups in carrying out project activities in identified municipalities of Lanao del Sur.
• Organize and facilitate youth leadership trainings, policy advocacy workshops, community dialogues, and LGU engagement meetings.
• Support youth organizations in designing peace advocacy projects, local campaigns, and governance initiatives.
• Engage with MYA, MILG, LGUs, youth councils (SK), and community leaders to provide technical guidance and support on youth participation and stakeholder engagement.
  Ensure that Y-LEAD activities mainstream gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, cultural sensitivity, and child rights.

Capacity Building and Youth Support

• Provide technical mentoring to youth leaders and youth-led organizations on peacebuilding, governance participation, project design, and advocacy.
• Support roll-out of Youth Civic Action Plans and LGU-engagement processes such as dialogues, consultations, and participatory planning.
  Recommend and coordinate with local expert speakers and facilitators to strengthen the technical content of trainings and dialogues.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)

• Support data collection (participant lists, pre/post tests, feedback surveys, outcome tracking, stories of change).
• Document activities (photos, minutes, reports, success stories).
• Promote RI accountability mechanisms: feedback and complaint channels, safe reporting especially related to PSEA.
  Work under the technical direction of the MEAL Coordinator in periodic assessments, learning sessions, and evaluation activities.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong collaboration with youth groups, CSOs, education institutions, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and government offices.
• Maintain professional relationships that promote youth participation without political bias or affiliation.
  Represent RI in local meetings, coordination events, and networks upon request.

Administrative, Financial, and Compliance

• Prepare activity budgets, procurement requests, and liquidation packages following RI policies.
• Ensure adherence to donor and RI regulations related to safeguarding, PSEA, data privacy, ethical practices, and conflict sensitivity.
  Coordinate with supply chain and operations staff to ensure logistical preparedness for field activities (travel, supplies, venue arrangements, etc.).

Reporting

• Submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports including data, narratives, and progress updates.
• Ensure reports capture technical insights, youth capacity developments, and quality observations from the field.
  Contribute to donor reports by providing accurate documentation and success stories.

Risk Monitoring and Adaptive Management

• Track program assumptions, political dynamics, and security conditions affecting youth governance participation in BARMM.
• Provide technical recommendations to the Project Manager when local dynamics require rapid adjustments to project activities.
  Flag protection, safeguarding, or contextual risks directly to RI's Leadership and Safeguarding Team.

Behavior and Conduct

• Will ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI's code of conduct and safeguarding policies
• Will be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members
• Will ensure own actions and the actions of the teams members they manage do not impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve
• Will ensure external stakeholders are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms
  Report any concerns

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Bachelor's degree in Community Development, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Education, or related fields.
• Minimum 2-3 years' experience in development, peacebuilding, youth engagement, governance, or community work in BARMM.
• Experience working with LGUs, CSOs, youth groups, or humanitarian actors in Muslim-majority cultural contexts.
• Experience in training facilitation, mentoring, community organizing, or advocacy.
• Strong coordination and communication skills, particularly in multi-stakeholder settings.

Desirable criteria

INGO experience and an excellent grasp of operational issues.

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as "Do No Harm," Relief International Values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability