Policy Specialist for Local Education Governance

Position description

Policy Specialist for Local Education Governance, Philippines

Realizing Efficient Governance and Streamlined Reforms in Education (Reform-Ed) Program

The Asia Foundation (TAF), in partnership with the Australian Government, is seeking a Policy Specialist for Local Education Governance under the Realizing Efficient Governance and Streamlined Reforms in Education (Reform-Ed) program. This is a short-term consultancy for five (5) months, from November 2025 to March 2026, based primarily in the Philippines with some in-person meetings in Metro Manila.

Reform-Ed is a policy development program designed to support a strategic and systems-oriented shift in education. It focuses on strengthening education governance and improving national policy coherence to build an education and training system that is inclusive, coherent, and responsive ensuring that young Filipinos are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in a dynamic economy and evolving society.
The Policy Specialist for Local Education Governance will provide policy research and analytical support to advance reforms that strengthen the role of local government units (LGUs) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in education governance. The role will focus on policy review, stakeholder engagement, and the development of recommendations to enhance vertical and horizontal coordination between national agencies, schools, and LGUs.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct policy research and analysis on existing legislations and policies related to local education governance, decentralization, and devolution.
• Facilitate data gathering and consultation activities such as meetings, focus group discussions, and workshops to inform policy recommendations.
• Synthesize findings and develop evidence-based policy papers, briefs, and reports.
• Support engagements with key government agencies including DepEd, DILG, TESDA, and LGUs.
• Contribute to the review of policies such as the Local Government Code (LGC), Special Education Fund (SEF) Joint Memorandum Circulars, and related issuances that define LGU roles in education service delivery.
• Ensure integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles throughout the reform work.
• Collaborate closely with the Reform-Ed team, partners, and networks to ensure coherence and alignment of reform activities.
• Participate in regular planning and alignment meetings with the Reform-Ed team.

Expected Outcome:
This engagement will provide technical and policy support to strengthen governance mechanisms that enable localized delivery of education and skills development services, aligned with DepEd’s decentralization reform agenda.

Qualifications

Required:
• In-depth understanding of the Philippine education system and policy landscape, including current reforms and political developments.
• Experience in education policy research, analysis, or reform initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.

Preferred:
• Knowledge of education decentralization and devolution frameworks.
• Existing networks with DepEd, DILG, TESDA, and local government units (LGUs).
• Experience in working on policy reform initiatives or donor-funded education programs.

Compensation:
A competitive consultancy fee commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered.

Application instructions

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