Service Area Coordinator

Children International; Dumaguete; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Children International Manila CIM is launching a 17-month CPIP project in Negros, Philippines, seeking a Service Area Coordinator to lead operations, recruit and manage Field Officers, ensure program compliance, and coordinate with local authorities to establish CI's presence.

You will oversee planning, budgeting, data quality, safeguarding, and stakeholder engagement, delivering on milestones while building a high-performance team and ensuring sustainable program growth in the service area.

Qualifications

• University degree in Social Work or related disciplines.
• At least 3 years of supervisory leadership experience.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data management.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, start-up activities, and service area establishment with community mapping and readiness.
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and develop field officers ensuring CI values and standards.
• Oversee budgeting, financial controls, procurement, and reporting for the service area.
• Ensure data quality, safeguarding adherence, and timely documentation for leadership review.
• Build partnerships with local authorities, schools, NGOs and community groups to support program implementation.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Staff development

data management

Education

University degree in Social Work or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Service Area Coordinator

THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY (MORE ABOUT THE ROLE)

Children International Manila (CIM) is initiating a 17-month Project (1 September 2026 – 31 December 2027), in Negros, Philippines to successfully introduce, establish, and launch Children International's programs and interventions within a new geographical area in the Philippines. The Service Area Coordinator - Child Path Initial Project (CPIP) Negros, Philippines 1, plays a pivotal role in the successful execution of this project and is responsible for providing leadership, coordination, and operational oversight to ensure the effective implementation of approved project plans, timelines, budgets, and targets.

Working closely with the Operations Manager and other CI leaders, you will help establish and strengthen CI's presence within the new service area by building productive relationships with local authorities, community leaders, partner organizations, families, beneficiaries, and other key stakeholders. You will lead the recruitment, onboarding, and management of a team of Field Officers responsible for identifying, validating, and registering children and families who meet CI's program eligibility criteria, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance with established standards and protocols.

As the operational lead for the project within the service area, you will be instrumental in supporting the successful launch, implementation, and ongoing management of other Child Path activities, ensuring effective day-to-day operations, achievement of project milestones in alignment with agency goals and organizational standards. You will monitor progress, foster continuous improvement, document and share key learnings, and help create a strong foundation for sustainable program growth and long-term impact in the region.As an innovative leader, you’ll cultivate a high-performance culture aligned with CI’s values. You’ll champion staff development, accountability, and collaboration, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to our policies, including child safeguarding. Through effective leadership, community engagement, and partnership building, you will contribute significantly to the successful establishment of CI's work in Negros and the positive impact it will have on children, youth, and families

We seek a passionate advocate for children, possessing operational expertise and a deep understanding of child and community development. You’ll witness the impact of your leadership in our youth’s success and our employees’ growth. If this excites you, you might just be who we’re looking for.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE

Planning, Operational Oversight and Community Engagement

• Champion and promote CI programs, building the brand within the community.
• Lead start-up and service area establishment activities including community mapping, stakeholder orientation, field deployment planning, and operational readiness activities required for successful project launch.
• Contribute to agency work planning and budgeting processes, specifically related to the Service Area you lead and ensures reporting and accountability for its results.
• Ensure quality focused and timely execution of assigned targets and budgets, drive achievement of desired outcomes aligned to agencies standard operating processes and guidelines, the Child Path Model, as well as child safeguarding guidelines and practices.
• Monitor implementation progress and identify operational issues that may impact service area targets, recommending practical corrective actions and contingency measures to support timely delivery of planned activities.
• Coordinate and oversee participant identification, validation, and registration processes, ensuring all enrolled children and families meet approved eligibility requirements, including established PPI, PAM, and other program criteria.
• Ensure timely high-quality sponsor data collection and ensure adherence to protocols in the service area assigned to them.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with local government units, schools, community organizations, faith-based institutions, and other key stakeholders to support successful program implementation and community acceptance.
• Assess changing community conditions, merging needs, and external risks, recommending adjustments to implementation approaches to maintain quality service delivery and participant engagement.
• Implement and adapt stakeholder engagement approaches to strengthen community support, address concerns, and facilitate effective resolution of community and stakeholder issues.
• Support and empower field teams to build and nurture deeper, trust-based relationships with the sponsored community.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Support and Engagement Lead and other leaders to develop and execute strategies to identify, nurture and retain high-quality volunteer engagement.
• Participate regularly in key stakeholder activities carried out in the community areas build alliances, engage, and solicit feedback with diverse stakeholders both internal (staff, and volunteers) as well external partners like government institutions, other NGOs etc.

Administrative and Compliance Management

• Coordinate with the relevant departments in the central office to ensure operations permits for the Service Area Centers are applied for and kept current, as applicable. Request their renewal ahead of their expiration.
• Ensure that costs are tracked regularly and under control as contained in the budget. Review and approve all check/payment requests originating from the Service Area. Also be the custodian of petty cash.
• Coordinate and collaborate with different departments to align and enable implementation and adherence to the organization’s financial and other operational policies and internal controls including procurement, TG, child safeguarding, financial management, travel and expenses, related to operations under their Service Area.
• Oversee the overall upkeep and maintenance of the field office as well as other assets and ensure they are in optimal condition.
• Ensure health, safety and security protocols are enforced and maintained for assets, staff, volunteers and participants under their service area.
• Collaborate with the Operations manager and other agency leaders to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the risks associated with organization.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation and reporting of the work on ground to the Operations Manager and other leaders including critical assessments, reflection, recommendations and strategies for improvements.
• Drive and monitor consistency, reliability, timeliness, and quality of all gathered information to ensure data integrity. Regularly update and document progress and comply with timely submission of data and other reporting requirements

Leadership & Development (LPI Aligned)

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, and develop service area team members (e.g., Field Officers), ensuring role clarity, capability building, and alignment with CI values, leadership expectations, and operational standards.
• Lead and manage the performance of direct reports through clear expectation setting, regular coaching, constructive feedback, accountability, and development planning to strengthen individual and team effectiveness.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment that supports continuous improvement, adaptability, and successful delivery of Child Path project objectives.
• Lead change within the team supporting them to adapt effectively as needed in the future to other complex, ever-changing work environments.
• Develop and enable a learning culture by ensuring constant learning and capacity building of team members throughout the implementation cycles, as well as partner with different teams and stakeholders to share best practices, learnings.
• Role model and reinforce behaviors aligned to CI values consistently.
• Enable seamless information flow, break down silos, and stimulate effective collaboration across stakeholders within the agency as well as the community.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND KEY SKILLS:

• University degree in Social Work or other related disciplines, with at least 3 years of experience in a supervisory position leading team.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; with experience in data tracking, review, and record management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills including recruitment, coaching, performance management with the ability to influence and empower teams and build a culture of high performance also reflective of CI values and Leadership Portraits.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to deal tactfully, build, nurture and leverage relationships with diverse stakeholders across levels, both internally and externally.
• Above average computer skills with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Attention to detail with the proven ability to analyze data, identify trends, problem solve and suggest improvements.
• Time management and planning skills with the ability to handle multiple deadlines and priorities smoothly.
• Learning mentality characterized by listening, humility, and openness/courage to change.
• Self-motivated and proactive with a high level of compassion, empathy, integrity and passion to work on complex social causes, especially the cause of children and youth.
• Fluency in English/Spanish and at least one relevant local language with strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.