CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Political Consultant

Unit: Ateneo Policy Center

Duration: Six Months (project-based)

I. Brief Description 

The Ateneo School of Government is the public policy academic arm of the Ateneo de Manila University. Its long-term mission is to teach and work with effective and ethical public servants to build prosperous, sustainable, just, and happy communities in the Philippines, empowered by democratic, participatory, transparent, and accountable governance institutions and processes. Through its research and extension programs, and its work with public, private and civil society organizations, ASOG aims to develop and foster innovative ideas and approaches in order to change mindsets and systems in such areas as leadership, poverty eradication, climate change, social accountability, and politics.

Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity, otherwise known as PARTICIPATE, is a five-year program implemented by ASOG in partnership with the La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG), National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO). PARTICIPATE aims to increase and enhance non-partisan political participation by the citizenry and civil society organizations in government-administered national and local electoral processes as an essential element of true democratic governance. It advances political participation in elections through three interrelated objectives: 1) bolster citizen oversight of electoral processes, 2) increase the availability and accessibility of information to promote informed voting, and 3) support constituency-building for electoral reforms.

II. Scope of Work

The Political Consultant will be part of the Strengthening Political Parties (SPP) in the Philippines Project under the Ateneo School of Government – PARTICIPATE and will render services on a part-time basis.

Specifically, the Political Consultant is expected to:

1. Network and coordinate actively with different political parties in the Philippines;  
2. Develop a strategic plan on how to approach and get the commitment of the political parties in the Philippines to the goals and principles of the SPP; 
3. Take measures that will promote and bring awareness to the advocacies of the Program among the political parties;
4. Identify and liaise with party officials and members who can be strong and committed allies in pushing forward the agenda of capacitating and institutionalizing Philippine political parties;
5. Identify capacity development approaches and initiatives that will enhance the service delivery and institutional building of Philippine political parties;  
6. Provide analysis on the status of political parties in the Philippines and make recommendations on how to improve the organization and the functionality of the parties; 
7. Take an active role in designing, planning, and implementing training events and activities in PARTICIPATE;
8. Coordinate with the training team, participants, and other stakeholders of PARTICIPATE; 
9. Participate actively in the delivery and the implementation of PARTICIPATE – SPP activities;   
10. Prepare a completion report with a sustainability plan by the end of the Program; 
11. Attend meetings as needed and as required by the program management; and

Perform other related functions as may be assigned by the program management. 

III. Qualifications

The Political Consultant must have the following: 

1. Has an undergraduate degree in political Science or public administration or social development or any other related degree; units in graduate studies or a graduate degree is an advantage.  
2. Experience on working with political parties or in a politically-oriented organization or project. 
3. Has established linkages with political parties and institutions and is able to navigate a politically-driven environment.
4. Has experience in organizing and establishing network.
5. Able to handle work pressure and deadlines and able to deliver expected outputs.
6. Is mature and able to assess situations and characters in an objective and intellectual manner.
7. Able to work with people from different background, culture, beliefs, and political principles. 
8. Has good oral and written communication skills at least in Filipino and in English.
9. Has some experience in designing, coordinating, and conducting training programs, workshops, conferences, forums, and any other type of learning event.
10. Able to work independently and at the same time work with a team contributing to the team processes and outputs.
11. Experience of working in donor-funded project is an advantage.

IV. Application Requirements

All interested applicants must submit the following:

1. Application Letter addressed to Dr. Julio C. Teehankee, Chief of Party, Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity (PARTICIPATE)
2. Curriculum Vitae 

Please submit the required documents via email to policycenter.asog@ateneo.edu and use “[SURNAME] – Political Consultant” as email subject. Deadline for the submission of application is on 06 October 2023.