Job Description

Title: Project Manager

Project: Y-LEAD BARMM: Catalyzing Youth Leadership for Peacebuilding and Participatory Governance in Lanao del Sur (Y-LEAD BARMM)

Note: This position is subject to project award and availability of funding.

Location: Iligan City, Philippines

Travel: Travelling to the project sites is necessary

Job Family and Level: M5 - Program Management and Leadership

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

1. Scope

Responsibility: Country level

Department: Programs Department

Reporting to: Program Manager/Country Director

Direct reports:

1. Project Officer

2. MEAL Coordinator

Budget responsibility: TBD

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

2. 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.

3. Job Profile

The Project Manager will lead the implementation of Relief International’s anticipated project which aims to empower youth to strengthen peacebuilding and participatory governance in Lanao del Sur. Based in Iligan City with frequent travel to project sites, the Project Manager will oversee the day-to-day management of this initiative which is part of the peacebuilding portfolio of RI in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in managing programs related to peace, governance, and community engagement, with a strong focus on gender equality and social inclusion. The Project Manager is expected to be results-driven, adaptive, and capable of problem-solving with a high degree of independence. This role is pivotal in contributing to lasting peace, local economic development, and inclusive governance in BARMM—and in strengthening Relief International’s positioning as a key actor in the peace and development landscape of Mindanao.

4. Key Responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

Holds overall accountability for project delivery, ensuring technical, operational, and financial components meet RI and donor requirements.
Makes key decisions on planning, adaptation, and risk management in changing environments.
Provides leadership and oversight to project staff, including the MEAL Coordinator and Project Officer, to ensure cohesive and coordinated implementation.
Represents the project with donors, government counterparts, and key stakeholders and manages complex partnership dynamics.

Project Management

Provide overall leadership and direction for the project, ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all project activities in line with project objectives and timelines.

Develop and manage project work plans, procurement plans, and budgets, ensuring timely delivery and efficient use of resources.
Supervise project staff and consultants, promote team cohesion, and provide mentoring, capacity-building, and performance management support.
Ensure that gender equality, youth empowerment, conflict sensitivity, and social inclusion are integrated across all components of the project.
Facilitate regular field visits to project sites across BARMM to oversee activity implementation, assess progress, and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Lead the documentation of project outcomes, best practices, and lessons learned for both internal learning and external dissemination.

Financial Management and Budget Monitoring

Monitor project expenditures to ensure alignment with the phased budget and compliance with donor requirements.
Liaise with the finance team to generate and review accurate monthly project expenditure reports, and share these with relevant staff.
Conduct monthly reviews of the project budget to confirm accurate expense allocations and monitor spending trends.
Prepare monthly financial projections based on the latest Budget vs Actuals (BvA) report, ensuring alignment with the approved budget and financial plans.
Ensure donor compliance not only at the financial level but also across programmatic and technical aspects of project implementation.

Donor Compliance and Reporting

Ensure full compliance with donor requirements, including adherence to financial, procurement, and operational regulations.
Coordinate with support teams (Finance, Operations, MEAL) to ensure timely submission of quality donor reports—both narrative and financial.
Maintain accurate project records, including beneficiary data, activity documentation, and financial tracking aligned with donor guidelines.
Lead internal project reviews and participate in external audits or evaluations as needed.
Serve as the primary focal point for donor communications related to the project, in coordination with the Country Director and Program Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

Work with the MEAL team to develop and implement M&E frameworks and tools.
Ensure collection, analysis, and use of data for project tracking and decision-making.
Promote learning through documentation of good practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
Facilitate regular project reviews and contribute to adaptive learning.

Partnership Management and Stakeholders Engagement

Cultivate and maintain effective partnerships with BARMM regional ministries, local government units, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
Represent Relief International in coordination forums, peacebuilding clusters, and relevant technical working groups.
Facilitate community-level engagement processes to ensure project relevance, community ownership, and sustainability.
Promote meaningful participation of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in governance and peacebuilding platforms supported by the project.
Identify and build synergies with complementary programs and partners working in the same geographic and thematic areas.

Program Development

Contribute to the design of new initiatives building on the lessons, networks, and impact of the this project.
Support proposal development efforts, including drafting technical inputs, identifying partners, and contributing to contextual analysis.
Stay abreast of political, social, and economic developments in BARMM and Mindanao to inform program strategy and adaptation.
Collaborate with the MEAL team to ensure that data and evidence from the project inform learning and future programming.
Advance Relief International’s visibility and credibility in the peace and development sector in the Philippines through strategic advocacy and knowledge-sharing efforts.

Risk Management

Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Ensure compliance with safeguarding, protection, and Do No Harm principles.
Address incidents and complaints in coordination with compliance and HR teams.
Promote safety and well-being of both staff and beneficiaries.

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

5. Person Specification

Essential criteria

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or related fields. Master’s degree is an advantage.
Minimum of five years of progressive experience managing governance and conflict-sensitive development projects, preferably in BARMM/Mindanao.
Proven experience in strengthening local governance, youth development, livelihoods, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
Experience building and maintaining relationships with government institutions, civil society, private sector, and UN agencies in sensitive political environments.
Demonstrated ability to integrate research and learning into project planning and adaptation.
Experience in resource mobilization, donor coordination, and accountability requirements.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable criteria

INGO experience and an excellent grasp of operational issues.
A detailed understanding of development challenges and funding mechanisms for development work, such as Relief International.
Experience in the covered region is an asset.
Experience working in humanitarian, post-conflict, and development contexts is an asset.

RI Values

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