COALITION OF SERVICES OF THE ELDERLY, INC.

BACKGROUND:

Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE) is a non-government organization working with the older people to
address key issues such as poverty and exclusion that confront their sector and to ensure that all generations of
Filipinos will have more secured ageing. COSE believes that it is important for older people to remain in the community
to share their experiences and wisdom, and to teach us all about our own aging. COSE spearheaded the organizing of
older people and formation of Older People’s Organizations (OPOs) in the country in 1989. At present COSE has 500
organized OPOs with approximately 50,000 members, these OPOs were federated based on geographical location and
was confederated in 2006. The confederation was named COPAP-Confederation of Older Persons’ Associations of the
Philippines, a partner of COSE in conducting expansion and advocacy works.

COSE is closely working with different stakeholders in the community including Local Government Units (LGUs) and
Older Persons Organizations to ensure that older people are claiming their rights and benefits according to the
existing laws for the older people through advocacy and formation of Community-Based Programs of the Elderly
(CBPE) and is now looking for:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

JOB PURPOSE:

To facilitate the implementation of COSE programs. The Community Development Officer plays a central role in
ensuring community representation and will be an advocate for the needs of older people in their supported
community. He/She will work with key members of the community both government and non-government structures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Facilitation and Development:
• Develop information and understanding of the supported communities by undertaking community level
assessments and continually ensure community profiles are up to date.
• Engage with and support older people groups and organizations in the communities with the purpose to
develop their capacities to improve access to essential services (Health, Social Services etc.).
• Develop and maintain positive relationships and networks both at the barangay and municipal level, with
Local Government Units (Health/Social Welfare Depts.) and other supporting organizations, to advocate older
people and persons with disability issues.
• Proactively identify the priority needs of older people, people with disabilities and older people’s
organization, such as but not limited to health care, income security and capacity building.
• Adopt and practice participatory approaches in the communities, ensuring proper and full consultation with
older people.
• Facilitate the building and development of community-based programs of the elderly (CBPE) based on local
needs/context.
• Build and develop the Older Persons Organization’s structure and facilitate the development of relevant
committees and functional organizational procedures, systems and policies such as but not limited to
constitutions and by-laws, consultation processes, financial management, etc.
 • Identify and develop first and second line leaders in community organizing/development and organizational
building towards OPO’s sustainability.

Planning & Implementation of Programme Activities:

• With the Project Coordinator, develop and implement activity work plan in the assigned communities.
• Develop effective involvement of older people and other key stakeholders in the community to ensure
participation in appropriate activities as defined in the community plans.
• Ensure needs of vulnerable groups especially older people are adequately reflected in the Barangay and
Municipal Community Development Plans.
• Coordinate and cooperate with all COSE Project Coordinators, Support Services staff (Finance/HR/IT/Logs)
and other community stakeholders in the implementation of the approved activities.
• With support from Project Coordinator, monitor the progress of assigned activities, documenting the whole
process and the results/indicators of the activities.
• Comply with all COSE Policies (Finance, HR and IT/Logs) to ensure appropriate use and allocation of funds
and resources in the supported communities.
• With your team, undertake regular monitoring visits of your project area and as much as possible ensure to
consult and involve older people for their comments, feedback and recommendations.
• Based on the COSE Case Study Template, document short case stories of older people, at least one case
study per month.
• Ensure all activities are written in your daily journal and then into a monthly report, which will be reviewed
and consolidated by the Project Coordinator and will be forwarded to Executive Director.
• Facilitate necessary training in the community as required by projects for the capacity development of
community members and volunteers.
• Actively build a strong supporting network within the community between key stakeholders, both
government and local groups, with emphasis on older people.
• Maintain all files of minutes of meetings, master lists of members and leaders, financial records and reports.
• Perform other functions and tasks that maybe assigned by the Line Manager, Project Coordinator and
Executive Director

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential
 Experience in any relevant course at degree level
 Experience of working in community development organization
 Strong skills of community building activities and facilitation
 Relevant training on project monitoring, evaluation and accountability
 Able to develop and facilitate training
 Experience in Policy Advocacy
 Background of research and evaluation
 Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice
 Excellent computer skills (Excel, Word, Internet)
 Excellent spoken and written English
 Ability to maintain confidential information
 Respect for older people and sensitivity toward their culture, customs & religion

Desirable
 Experience of working with an NGO
 Knowledge on basic laws for older people
 Knowledge on Social Pension Program and Philhealth Programs for Senior Citizens