Coalitions for Change (CfC) is a centerpiece program of the partnership between the Australian Embassy and The Asia Foundation in the Philippines. CfC strategically supports the development, introduction, adoption, and implementation of key policies consistent with the government’s agenda on climate and disaster resilience, economic growth, improved governance, and social development.
The program creates spaces for collaboration, maximizing coalitions and networks, both formal and informal, civil society, the private sector, the government, academia, and others to bring about transformative change. Under a highly volatile and unpredictable policy environment, CfC works with motivated groups and individuals, armed with up-to-date technical and political analysis, to usher in reforms that lead to sustainable and inclusive development, thereby improving the lives of Filipinos.
Background of the Project
Housing, in the context of resilience, is the ability of a system to withstand shocks and stresses, while also enabling households to adapt to future risks and challenges, including those driven by climate change (UN-Habitat, 2021). It is therefore significant to examine housing and settlements in the Philippines in its current state and its response to the growing impacts of climate change and disasters.
The government is on the right track in broadening its housing agenda beyond homeownership. Evidence shows that while a growing number of Filipinos are renting or sharing homes, nearly all government housing programs are narrowly geared towards ownership. There is a clear signal of shifting housing realities. Homeownership among low-income urban residents plummeted from 61% in 1990 to just 42% in 20001. By 2021, Metro Manila’s homeownership rate had dropped further to 43.9% (BSP). Nationally, renters increased from 10.2% to 11.3% between 2018 and 2021.
Policies must keep up. Proven rental housing initiatives like San Juan’s Rental Assistance Program (2012), DSWD’s Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (2018), and Valenzuela’s Disiplina Village show that public rental housing works—and can work at scale. Post-disaster housing programs are typically government-led and are focused on homeownership in the long term. There should be a clear shift from ex-post to ex-ante and preparedness planning. Strengthening the resilience of homes and households through innovative solutions, such as in situ upgrading and disaster risk insurance, could be explored.
A 2019 Baseline Study by The Asia Foundation, HUDCC, and Pantawid Upa confirms that a program on rental subsidy is faster, cheaper, and more flexible than traditional housing provision. It leverages existing rental markets, bypassing delays from land acquisition and housing construction that stall homeownership programs. The proposed program’s success hinges on the growing rental market, especially in cities like Metro Manila.
This initiative aims to build on past findings and initiatives of The Asia Foundation’s Coalitions for Change program to identify and pursue policy reforms in resilient housing that will improve outcomes.
Scope of Work of the Policy Reform Specialist
- Lead the rapid exploration of policy reform ideas through problem identification, testing, and experimentation to bring about actionable solutions
- Navigate the highly volatile and dynamic policy landscape with agility by testing bold ideas, failing, learning fast, and building momentum through strategic engagement across different stakeholders such as government agencies, the academe, and local communities.
- Prepare and deliver written and verbal analysis and strategy with a core team
- Develop appropriate presentations, knowledge materials and relevant policy instruments
Qualifications
- 8+ years of relevant work experience, either in government, non-government, or private sector, and/or working on policy reform in the development sector, preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, preferably in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Economy, Political Science, and International Relations. An advanced degree is a strong advantage.
- Solid grasp of political dynamics, governance structures, and bureaucratic processes in the sector.
- Experience working with urban poor groups, housing developers, agencies, and organizations is a strong advantage.
- Motivated self-starter, team player, and highly willing to contribute to policy reforms
Key Characteristics
- “Just Start” and Proactive Mindset
- Employs a culture of action and iterative and incremental development of reform ideas over perfection.
- Empowers the team to take initiative, test ideas, and build momentum towards a reform idea.
Innovative and Open to New Ideas
- Embeds principles of Development Entrepreneurship[1]Â in policy reform work.
- Proactively identifies and champions innovative approaches to DRR policy reform.
- Encourages experimentation and integrates lessons learned into scalable policy solutions.
- Embraces creative problem-solving and cross-sectoral thinking. Adaptable and Flexible
- Capable of pivoting strategies quickly in response to changing policy landscapes, stakeholder dynamics, or emerging risks.
Learning-Oriented and Reflective
- Values continuous learning and professional development.
- Actively seeks feedback and incorporates it to improve team and policy performance.
- Accepts feedback and translates it into rapid analysis and action. Opportunity-Oriented
- Skilled in identifying and leveraging political, institutional, and societal windows of opportunity for reform.
- Engage stakeholders strategically to build momentum for change. Results-Oriented and Accountable
- Focused on achieving tangible policy outcomes and measurable impact.
- Holds self and team accountable for high-quality deliverables and timelines.
The contractor will directly report to The Asia Foundation Senior Program Officer.
How to apply
APPLICATION GUIDELINES: Individual Applicants must complete and send in their The Asia Foundation Application Form, Employee Biographical Data Form (https://tinyurl.com/ApplicationReqsTAF), and sample portfolio (optional).
Applicants may send in the requested documents to consultancyPH@asiafoundation.org before the set deadline.
To keep updated with project-based and consultancy-based career opportunities at The Asia Foundation, you may check out our regularly updated Job Bulletin here: https://bit.ly/TAFPHJobBulletin
The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply.
The Asia Foundation has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, fraud, bribery, bullying, corruption, and other forms of misrepresentation of the values of the organization.
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