Join Our Team: Regional Team Leader-Asia

Title	Regional Team Leader
Responsibility Level / Grade / Project	TBD/ GAC Indo-Pacific Strengthening CS
FTE	Full-time
Workstation	City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Incumbent’s Name	TBD
Supervisor / Principal Evaluator	Director of Project Management and Quality Assurance/ Asia Regional Director
International Relationships	All members of the project team in Nepal and the Philippines, Team Leader/Country Representative in Nepal, and global and country Finance and Operations teams
External Relationships	Partners, donors and government stakeholders in the Asia region

ABOUT CECI
The Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), founded in 1958, promotes sustainable and inclusive development worldwide. Committed to poverty reduction and gender equality, CECI empowers women, girls, and vulnerable communities through innovative solutions in leadership, economic inclusion, governance, climate resilience, and peacebuilding. With operations in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, it has implemented over 350 projects, partnered with 400+ organizations, and engaged 440+ employees and volunteers globally.

Our key priorities include (1) Women and Girls’ Rights – Advocating for equal opportunities, (2) Women’s Economic Empowerment – Strengthening skills for employment and entrepreneurship, (3) Climate Change Adaptation – Supporting communities in environmental resilience, and (4) Inclusive Governance C Peacebuilding – Promoting participatory governance in fragile contexts. CECI collaborates with key partners to drive transformative, gender-inclusive approaches and scale best practices. Its efforts in research, innovation, and international cooperation foster sustainable solutions to global challenges. Learn more at http://www.ceci.org.

OUR VALUES

CECI is dedicated to creating an egalitarian and inclusive world without poverty. Our core values guide our mission and actions:

• Cooperation: We believe in the power of collaboration and promote partnerships between individuals and nations through intercultural exchange and international solidarity.
• Respect: We honour the dignity, diversity, and rights of all individuals, ensuring that our actions reflect consideration and appreciation for different perspectives.
• Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice, striving to eliminate barriers and create opportunities for all, especially marginalized communities.
• Commitment: We dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our mission, demonstrating unwavering resolve in addressing global challenges.
• Integrity: We act honestly and transparently, upholding ethical standards in all our endeavours.

POSITION OVERVIEW
CECI is launching a regional Indo-Pacific initiative covering Nepal and the Philippines, “Strengthening Civil Society in Nepal and the Philippines.” To lead this 36-month GAC-funded project, we seek an experienced Team Leader to drive efforts in inclusive governance, human rights protection, and gender equality, contributing to the region’s sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The Regional Team Leader will act as CECI representative for the region and will be key in shaping and leading CECI’s expanding programs in Asia. This position requires a seasoned leader responsible for managing project cycles in Nepal and the Philippines while steering strategy, ensuring project performance and quality, overseeing teams, fostering program development, representing CECI, and ensuring compliance with quality, accountability, security, and regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Project Management and Quality Assurance in the Philippines and Nepal

• Provide leadership in the project’s planning, implementation, and technical operations, ensuring strategic alignment, teamwork, and prioritization.
• Oversee the project’s setup and the development of Project Implementation Plan and project deliverables, including work plans and reporting requirements, ensuring compliance with organizational, host government, and donor guidelines.
• Manage the project’s cycles in the Philippines and Nepal – in close collaboration with the Project’s Team Leader in Nepal – assigning tasks, tracking progress, and addressing risks and challenges.
• Ensure adherence to donor regulations, organizational policies, and government requirements while maintaining program quality, compliance, and effectiveness.
• Support project teams in monitoring project and partner performance while promoting gender-sensitive and gender-transformative programming.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and enhancement of Monitoring Evaluation
• Accountability and Learning (MEAL) program quality tools and measures to ensure technical excellence and compliance with required standards.
• Maintain structured project management with timely implementation, risk management, quality deliverables, and compliant reporting in line with government, donor, and organizational requirements.
• Provide financial oversight, managing budgets, mitigating financial risks, and securing approvals for necessary budget adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with government agreements, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Collect, consolidate, and review project data in alignment with monitoring and evaluation standards.
• Promote knowledge sharing through documentation, workshops, and the application of lessons learned.

B. Project Team Coordination in the Philippines and Nepal
The following tasks will be accomplished in close collaboration with the Country Representative/ Team Leader/ based in Nepal:

• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), conduct periodic reviews, and hold regular check-ins to ensure effective team performance management.
• Provide mentorship and capacity-building support to enhance team capabilities and professional growth.
• Supervise and support project staff by tracking performance data and offering guidance as needed.
• Organize teams and develop standard operating procedures to ensure project efficiency, success, and compliance.
• Guide and develop team members, fostering motivation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

D. Program Support and Representation in matter of inclusive governance and other themes

• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with CSOs, implementing partners, donors, government authorities, private sector actors, and local/international organizations across Asia, collaborating with the Asia Regional Director, Country Representatives, and regional teams.
• Strengthen CECI’s strategic positioning and identify new partnership opportunities by working with country, regional, and global program development teams to explore initiatives and resource mobilization opportunities.
• Represent CECI at regional coordination meetings, contributing to advocacy, technical discussions, and policy dialogues as assigned.
• Collaborate with government agencies, donors, and partners to align initiatives, coordinate activities, and ensure effective project monitoring and reporting.

E. Safeguarding and Ethics in the Philippines and Nepal

• Ensure full compliance with CECI’s procedures, policies, and security guidelines set by regional and country leadership.
• Proactively maintain a secure environment for team members, ensuring awareness and adherence to relevant procedures and policies.
• Uphold CECI’s Code of Conduct and ethical rules, ensuring key CECI protection policies are applied to ensure the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment while fostering a safe and inclusive work environment for all team members and partners.
• Ensure adherence to local laws, customs, and regulations as regional and country leadership informs.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 7–10 years of management experience, with expertise in project cycle management, quality assurance, innovative project design, assessment, evaluation, reporting and grants management.
• Advanced University degree in development economics, social sciences, international development, public policy, gender studies, human rights, project management, or a master’s degree in a related field.
• Strong demonstrated knowledge and experience in inclusive governance and the promotion of democracy applying GESI concepts and rights-based approaches.
• Proven experience in donor engagement and managing international consortiums, with multiple donor experiences (e.g., GAC, USAID, FCDO, EC, ECHO, and UN agencies).
• Demonstrated experience working in Asia, particularly in the Philippines and/or Nepal, managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Successful track record in managing donor-funded projects, ensuring compliance across their entire cycle from inception to evaluation.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities, with a deep understanding of project cycles, humanitarian and development nexus, and issues relevant to inclusive governance, democratic participation, gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Experience professionally representing organizations and negotiating with government bodies, local organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Skilled in strengthening partner capacities, providing staff training, and mentoring teams.
• Strong critical thinking and resource management abilities to drive successful project delivery and completion.
• Highly adaptable to dynamic environments, shifting priorities, and evolving stakeholder needs. Comfortable navigating uncertainty, proactively addressing challenges, and fostering innovation to achieve impactful project outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (proficiency in French is an asset), with the ability to multitask, organize, and prioritize effectively.

WE OFFER

• Contract type: Full-time
• Contract duration: 1 year initial, renewable based on performance
• Expected start date: 15 April 2025 (mutually confirmed)
• Duty station: City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
• Travel requirement: within the Philippines and Nepal, with some travel to the target project provinces and occasional travel to Canada.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter (in English) that highlights your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, explaining how they align with the role and why you are an ideal candidate.

You can submit your application to marcelm@ceci.ca (cc: info@concerninc.org) by 6 April 2025 COB (Manila time). All applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

REFERENCE AND VETTING PROCEDURE
CECI conducts comprehensive background and reference checks, with a strong emphasis on protection and safeguarding. Candidates must provide contact details for two references, who will only be contacted with explicit consent.