Community Development Officer - General Santos City

Job Description

The Community Development Officer (CDO) leads the design and implementation of appreciative and inclusive community mobilization strategies that drive social transformation for girls aged 10 to 17 who are at risk of adolescent pregnancy, child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU), and cohabitation with older men. The CDO strengthens child participation in local governance processes, ensuring that the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of children and adolescents meaningfully influence community planning, policy-making, and accountability mechanisms.

Central to this role is the effective management of partnerships with local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and child- and girl -led groups to promote active citizenship, inclusive governance, and locally led action. By fostering community ownership and shifting power to local actors, the CDO ensures that solutions are rooted in local priorities, assets, and capacities, directly contributing to Save the Children Philippines’ Organizational Strategy Plan 2025–2030, which aims to improve children’s health, learning, protection, and participation; strengthen resource generation and localization; and enhance organizational performance and sustainability.

Requirements

Essential skills, knowledge or experience

• Strong background in Child Rights Governance and Child Rights Programming
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in community development, program implementation, or local governance work.
• Proven experience in community mobilization, participatory planning, and capacity building, particularly in facilitating child participation and youth-led initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability in partnership management, including collaboration with LGUs, CSOs, and child- or girl-led groups.
• In-depth understanding of localization principles and practices, including approaches that shift power to local actors and strengthen community-led governance systems.
• Knowledge of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), child protection, gender equality, and social inclusion.
• Experience in applying Human-Centered Design and asset-based community development approaches.
• S trong skills in communication, negotiation, and participatory facilitation with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in local language(s) and proficiency in English (written and oral).

Desirable skills, knowledge or experience

Required education and qualifications (certifications, licenses, accreditations, etc.)

Benefits

1. Retirement Plan

2. Year-end Bonus

3. HMO

4. Employee Assistance Program

5. Life and Accident Insurance

6. Employee Learning and Development

7. Statutory Benefits

8. Time off and Leave of Absences

Requirements

Essential skills, knowledge or experience Strong background in Child Rights Governance and Child Rights Programming Minimum 3–5 years of experience in community development, program implementation, or local governance work. Proven experience in community mobilization, participatory planning, and capacity building, particularly in facilitating child participation and youth-led initiatives. Demonstrated ability in partnership management, including collaboration with LGUs, CSOs, and child- or girl-led groups. In-depth understanding of localization principles and practices, including approaches that shift power to local actors and strengthen community-led governance systems. Knowledge of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), child protection, gender equality, and social inclusion. Experience in applying Human-Centered Design and asset-based community development approaches. Strong skills in communication, negotiation, and participatory facilitation with diverse stakeholders. Fluency in local language(s) and proficiency in English (written and oral). Desirable skills, knowledge or experience Experience working with NGOs or development agencies in Child Protection in urban setting Familiarity with the cultural context and social dynamics of the targeted communities. Experience in programs aiming for social transformation Required education and qualifications (certifications, licenses, accreditations, etc.) Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Development, Public Administration, Public Health, or a related field.