Country director

About Educo PhilippinesEDUCO is a global development and humanitarian organization working to advance children’s right and well-being in more than 18 countries worldwide for 30 years. In Asia, Educo operates in Bangladesh, India and Philippines.In the Philippines, EDUCO started its program of operation in 2005 and partners with over 105 schools across 107 barangays in Albay, Sorsogon Catanduanes and Cotabato reaching around 35,000 children and young peole..As part of our strategic growth, organizational strengthening and program expansion, including engagement and operational presence in Mindanao, we are seeking a visionary and mission-driven leader to serve as Country Director.Position PurposeThe Country Director provides strategic, operational and inspirational leadership to EDUCO Philippines. The role ensures alignment of the Country Strategy with Educo’s Global Impact and Programmatic Frameworks, while driving the expansion and consolidation of operations across Luzon and Mindanao, while promoting sustainable organizational growth and diversified funding steams. The Country Director also upholds strong governance, regulatory compliance and sound financial stewardship, ensuring that all initiatives contribute to measurable and lasting impact on children’s right and well-being.The Country Director plays a key role in driving national influence while contributing to EDUCO’s global leadership.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Organizational Growth* Lead and execute a high -impact Country Strategy responsive to the Philippine context, including emerging humanitarian and development priorities in Luzon and Mindanao. * Guide and strengthen the Senior Management Team (SMT), fostering innovation, accountability, and collaborative leadership. * Drive organizational transformation and adaptive programming to meet evolving child protection and education challenges.Program Quality & Expansion* Ensure high-quality program implementation integrating, Child Protection, Child Participation, Quality Education and Humanitarian Action.* Oversee program expansion, partnerships, and operational systems* Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems to ensure evidence-based programming and measurable impact. Financial Sustainability & Compliance* Lead financial planning, ensuring healthy ratios, strong internal controls, and regulatory compliance.* Ensure compliance with Philippine statutory requirements governing INGOs.* Strengthen resource mobilization, donor diversification, and grant acquisition strategies, including funding streams supporting initiatives. External Representation & Partnerships* Serve as Educo’s legal representative in the Philippines* Building and maintaining high-level partnerships with National and local government agencies; donors and institutional funders; civil society, NGO networks; media and advocacy platforms.* Position Educo as a leading child -rights organization nationwide, including in conflict-sensitive and disaster -prone regionsSafeguarding & Ethical Leadership* Champion Educo’s Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding and PSEAH policies. * Ensure proactive risk management, particularly in complex operational contexts operational contexts. * Embed a culture of integrity, accountability, and zero tolerance to exploitation and abuseQualifications & Experience* Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Public Administration, Social Science, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred and will be considered an advantage, particularly for candidates with executive-level leadership experience in international development or humanitarian setting. * Demonstrate expertise in children’s right and welfare programming. * Strong knowledge of donor compliance, financial management, and NGO regulatory frameworks. * Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and adaptive management within complex economic, social and humanitarian contexts within Philippines or in comparable environments with ability to navigate uncertainty, risk and rapid changing operating conditions. * Strong diplomatic. relationship-building and communications skills including media engagement with proven ability to network, influence and negotiate effectively with government institutions, donor, and civil society organizations. * Proven success in fundraising, negotiation, and high-level stakeholder engagement. * Proven experience in building and managing high-performing motivated teams, fostering, collaboration both onsite and remotely. * Strong active listening skills, enabling assertive and empathetic communication to drive effective leadership.Core Competencies* Strong attention to detail and excellent analytical skills * Proven management, leadership and conflict resolution abilities * Exceptional organizational and coordination skills * Strategic thinker and sound decision-making problem-solving capabilities * Ability to perform effectively under pressure * Proficient in building and maintaining professional networks * Excellent verbal and written communications skillsProtection PoliciesEduco has a Code of Conduct, a Child Safeguarding Policy and a PSEAH Policy that seek to ensure the protection of children and a safe environment. As such, we are committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure protection, conducting of background checks and obtaining references for all applicationsCode Of Conduct, PSEAH And Child Safeguarding Policy, Non-Discrimination And ConfidentialityEduco has a Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies as Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and Child Safeguarding Policy. Educo is committed to do everything that is necessary to guarantee child protection and an environment free from exploitation and abuse.To meet our safeguarding commitment, the recruitment and selection process will respect and follow the procedures established by the People & Culture Unit, including background checks and references for all candidates.We are an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status to apply for the postAnd we hereby inform you that the information that you provide will be recorded in a file created for the purpose of storing information related to the current selection/evaluation process. Educo will provide this information internally to those people who have requested that the organization undertake a selection process. To exercise your rights to access, cancel and rectify information, you may contact us in our Head Office, which is located at C/ Guillem Tell, 47 Barcelona.Work Arrangement and Travel Requirements:* The Country Director will be primarily based in Educo’s Office in Legazpi City, Albay Philippines. This role offers a flexible work arrangement to accommodate frequent travel to Manila and Cotabato for program oversight, stakeholder engagement, and strategic coordination. The position may also require occasional international travel to represent the Philippines Office in global meetings, conferences and organizational events.HOW TO APPLYDeadline of ApplicationAll Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications are encourage to submit a letter of intent and updated resume to People and Culture Department at [email protected] .Please use the following format in the email subject line:“Application for Country Director- Philippines (Last name, First name)Application will be accepted on or before 6 March 2026