Project Activity Lead for Philippines

• Position: Project Lead
• Contract Length: 24 months with possibility of extension
• Country Programme: Philippines
• Base: Manila, Philippines
• Line Manager: Country Director

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech-based international non-governmental organization (NGO) that has provided humanitarian and development assistance across more than 20 countries since 1992. Today, PIN stands as one of the largest organizations of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, supporting vulnerable communities in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

PIN empowers civil society, advocates for human rights, and promotes social inclusion both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

About the Philippines Programme of People in Need

On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Yolanda) ravaged Eastern Samar, one of the poorest provinces of the country.

The instant and large-scale emergency response provided by international organizations helped provide solutions to short-term problems and attended to the immediate needs of those affected. Now, we are also focusing on long-term development programs.

We help revive and improve local markets and ensure new, alternative sources of livelihood for people.

For instance, through LEAP, we promote sustainable livelihood opportunities by supporting seaweed farmers and coffee producers to improve production, access quality inputs, strengthen business skills, and connect with higher-value markets.

By enhancing market access and value chain linkages, the project helps increase household incomes and build long-term economic resilience.

Following the Battle of Marawi, the longest urban war in the modern history of the Philippines, in cooperation with local partners, we helped young people affected by the conflict, distributed school uniforms, and provided legal advice and psychosocial support.

We also provided sub-grants to local civil society organizations, and organized initiatives to empower the youth towards advocating for increased tolerance and respect for other religions and cultures.

We operate in some of the most impoverished and climate-vulnerable areas of the Philippines, strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities through disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and anticipatory action.

By supporting communities to act on risk information before hazards strike and by delivering timely humanitarian assistance during emergencies, we help reduce disaster impacts and protect lives and livelihoods.

We carry out this work in close partnership with local organizations, ensuring effective preparedness, early action, and rapid response for at-risk populations.

About the PASSAGE Project in the Philippines

Seaweed farming is the Philippines’ largest aquaculture commodity and a strategic sector with global demand projected to double by 2030. Despite its importance, the industry faces persistent challenges including unsustainable practices, fragmented value chains, poor access to finance and inputs, and limited ability to meet international traceability and sustainability requirements.

These constraints threaten the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers and weaken the country’s position in global markets.

This initiative, called PASSAGE, introduces a regenerative and traceable seaweed hub model designed to professionalize smallholder production, stabilize supply chains, and strengthen compliance with emerging social and environmental standards.

By combining improved farming practices, affordable finance, digital traceability, and inclusive Marine Protected Areas, the project aims to increase productivity, reduce poverty, and enhance coastal ecosystem resilience while ensuring consistent, high-quality seaweed supply.

Over 48 months, PASSAGE will be gradually implemented in 6 provinces across the country, targeting more than 4,000 producers alongside processors, financial institutions, and public agencies.

Through direct hub replication in ready sites and farmer readiness support in complex areas, the project will build resilient, investible seaweed value chains that reduce reliance on small scale fishing, strengthen local governance, and contribute to sustainable blue economy growth in Asia–EU markets.

About the role

The Project Lead will have a key role in leading a project team, coordination with partner organizations, implementation and ensuring the overall quality of the “Philippines Advancing Seaweed Solutions for Asia’s Green Economy” or PASSAGE project in the Philippines.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Management

• Lead the full project management cycle of the PASSAGE Project, supporting the development of the seaweed value chain across multiple provinces in Mindanao and BARMM (Sulu, Tawi Tawi, and the Zamboanga peninsula), Palawan, and the Visayas (Bohol and Antique).
• Provide overall strategic leadership and oversight throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring the achievement of project objectives and results.
• Ensure project implementation is guided by detailed work plans, realistic timelines, and adaptive management approaches.
• Coordinate and oversee project activities implemented by consortium partners and co-applicants.
• Manage relationships with co-applicant organizations and support effective collaboration throughout project implementation.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation progress, provide technical guidance, and support project teams and beneficiaries.

Team Leadership and Capacity Development

• Lead, supervise, and support the project team to ensure high performance and effective delivery of results.
• Manage staff performance, including objective setting, coaching, performance reviews, and professional development.
• Promote staff learning, capacity building, and continuous improvement across the project team.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and expertise in rural development, sustainable livelihoods, and agri-aqua value chain development.
• Ensure project interventions are aligned with sector best practices, innovation, and evidence-based approaches.
• Support the continued development of PIN's agriculture and aquaculture and value-chain development programming portfolio in the Philippines.

Programme Quality, MEAL, Accountability and PIN Standards

• Ensure project design and implementation comply with People in Need's programme quality standards, donor requirements, and international humanitarian and development standards.
• Promote evidence-based programming and adaptive management to improve project effectiveness and impact.
• In close collaboration with the MEAL Manager, lead monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) processes, including planning, data collection, analysis, learning, and reporting.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality collection and management of project data.
• Ensure project activities are supported by appropriate MEAL systems, indicators, methodologies, and learning mechanisms.
• Strengthen accountability to affected populations through effective feedback and complaint mechanisms and the use of lessons learned to improve programming.

Safeguarding, Inclusion and Risk Management

• Ensure the systematic integration of safeguarding, inclusion, and risk management principles into all project activities and processes.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address potential challenges and ensure project resilience.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and safety within the project team and among beneficiaries.
• Monitor and report on safeguarding and inclusion indicators, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

Additional responsibilities may include

• Representing PIN in national and international forums related to seaweed farming and sustainable development.
• Coordinating with national and local government agencies to align project objectives with policy frameworks.
• Managing project budgets, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor financial regulations.
• Supporting the development of project proposals, progress reports, and final project reports for donors and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in project management, preferably in international development or humanitarian contexts.
• Strong knowledge of seaweed farming, aquaculture, or related agri-aqua value chains.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a diverse team in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Filipino or local languages is an advantage.
• Experience with MEAL systems and adaptive management.
• Commitment to People in Need's values and mission.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, mission-driven organization.
• Professional development and capacity-building opportunities.
• Supportive work environment with a focus on teamwork and innovation.
• Chance to make a tangible impact on the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

If you are passionate about sustainable development, have a strong background in seaweed farming or agri-aqua value chains, and are ready to lead a high-impact project, we encourage you to apply.

Application Process

• Submit your CV and cover letter in English.
• Include references and any relevant certifications.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

People in Need is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or background.