Ugat ng Kalusugan is seeking a Health Systems & Partnerships Director who will report directly to the Executive Director. This role is central to our expansion and scaling efforts, with a primary focus on building and managing direct, on-the-ground relationships with Local Government Units (LGUs), municipal and provincial health offices, national government partners, and other stakeholders across Palawan and new regions. The Director will lead our Health Systems Strengthening partnerships, represent Roots of Health in government and community settings, and develop plans to extend our impact to new regions. The role also involves cultivating relationships with corporations, funders, and civil society organizations in support of program growth, and supervising the Partnerships Coordinators in Manila and Palawan.

This position will be Manila-based.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership by contributing to organizational strategy, advising the Executive Director on government engagement, policy developments, and expansion opportunities, and collaborating across teams to ensure partnerships support program implementation and organizational growth. 
• Develop and implement partnership strategies and maintain a partnership pipeline that support the organization’s strategic priorities, expansion, and scaling goals.
• Lead and strengthen relationships with Local Government Units (LGUs), municipal and provincial health offices, and other government stakeholders, building direct working relationships that support program delivery and expansion.
• Oversee public health systems strengthening partnerships and activities to  ensure alignment with national and regional health priorities.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage strategic partnerships with corporations, funders, and civil society organizations, working closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Fundraising Manager to support fundraising efforts.
• Represent the organization in government meetings, community engagements, and field-level coordination across Palawan and new regions, in addition to external media engagements.
• Lead partnership development processes, including negotiation of agreements, due diligence, and compliance with safeguarding, anti-corruption, and ethical standards.
• Supervise the Partnerships Coordinators in Manila and Palawan, supporting their day-to-day government and community liaison work.
• Track partnership engagement and opportunities through a partnerships database, monitor potential risks, and evaluate partnership effectiveness and impact.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• At least 3 years of hands-on experience coordinating directly with Local Government Units (LGUs), municipal/provincial health offices, or other government bodies on program implementation — not solely policy or advocacy work at a distance.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, Public Administration, Public Health, or related field), or equivalent field experience working with government health systems in lieu of a degree.
• At least 2 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of public health systems and reproductive health issues; familiarity with relevant Philippine policies (e.g., Universal Health Care, RH Law, HIV laws, SOGIE Equality Bill).
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with a track record of building trust with government counterparts in the field.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and produce clear written reports and correspondence in English.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners while setting and managing expectations effectively.
• Resourceful, adaptable, and committed to the organization’s mission.
• Willingness to travel regularly to Palawan and other program regions.

Desired:

• Ability to speak and understand local dialects (e.g., Cuyonon, Tagalog) — a strong plus for field-based government and community engagement.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience in Public Health, Medicine, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience as a resource person for TV, radio, internet, and print media.
• Experience with fundraising and securing funding partnerships.

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references (including at least one former supervisor) to jobs@rootsofhealth.org as soon as possible. 

Type: “Health Systems & Partnerships Director Position” in the subject line.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews. 

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About Roots of Health / Ugat ng Kalusugan

Roots of Health /Ugat ng Kalusugan is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of women and girls, and their communities, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in the Philippines. We envision self-reliant women, young people and communities living healthy reproductive lives in Palawan. Roots of Health empowers women and girls to secure their right to health and freedom from violence, and to support and protect the health and well-being of their children. Our activities are guided by the international human rights framework, which includes a core belief that health is a human right, and activities are carried out using a community-based approach.