Job Description

The Head of the Manila Office will lead FSD’s Representative Office in Manila, providing strategic oversight and serving as the key liaison between FSD Headquarters in Geneva and the Manila team. Since its establishment in 2006, the office has grown into a hub of around 60 finance, administrative, and ICT professionals who provide essential support to FSD, its global operations, and a small number of partner NGOs.

This position is intended for a highly experienced professional. Candidates who are retired or semi-retired will also be considered, provided they bring the necessary expertise and availability to fulfill the role. The Head of Office will be responsible for ensuring that the Representative Office operates efficiently, and in full compliance with FSD policies and donor requirements.

The role includes oversight of Finance, HR, IT, and Administrative functions, with direct supervision of the respective Team Leads for each area. The Head of the Manila Office reports directly to the Head of Finance & Administration, based in Geneva.

This position requires strong operational leadership, as well as extensive experience in humanitarian donor funding, budgeting and financial management, HR oversight, and IT governance. Proven senior management expertise within the development sector or international NGOs is essential.


Key Responsibilities
 
Strategic & Governance Oversight

• Serve as the primary liaison between FSD HQ and the Manila Office.
• Provide high-level guidance to the Team Leads for Finance, HR, IT, and Administration.
• Ensure that Manila operations remain aligned with HQ objectives, donor requirements, and FSD’s standards.
• Represent the Manila office in internal strategy discussions and selected external engagements.

 
Team Leadership & Mentoring

• Supervise and mentor the Team Leads in Finance, HR, IT, and Administration.
  • Finance: Supervise the Finance Team Lead in ensuring donor compliance, financial reporting, forecasting, and HQ coordination.
  • HR: Oversee recruitment, local Philippine and international payroll, benefits, compliance with labor law, and HR policy alignment with HQ.
  • IT: Provide oversight for IT systems, cybersecurity, and ERP platforms.
  • Administration: Ensure efficient office management, procurement, facilities, and logistics.
• Support professional development, performance reviews, provide mentorship and lead capacity-building, and succession planning for the Manila team.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and efficient workplace.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor compliance with Philippine labour laws, donor requirements, and FSD policies.
• Oversee adherence to quality and security standards, including ZEWO, ISO, and data protection.
• Ensure effective internal controls are implemented across all finance & accounting, HR, IT, procurement, and administrative functions.
• Escalate risks, challenges, and critical issues to HQ promptly.

 
Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain effective communication channels between HQ, Manila office, and other stakeholders.
• Represent FSD Manila at relevant meetings with local authorities, partners, or donors as needed.
• Participate in meetings, networks, trainings and seminars as and when requested by HQ Operations Geneva.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as may be required.

Competencies

Essential Competencies

• Senior leadership experience (10+ years) in operations, Finance, HR, IT, or administration — ideally in an INGO, international organisation, or corporate shared services context.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to adapt to the Philippine working environment.
• Based in Metro Manila or willing to commute regularly to Makati (for a full-time position max. of 2 days working from home per week).

 
Desirable Competencies

• Familiarity with donor compliance requirements and financial oversight in a humanitarian or development setting.
• Understanding of ERP systems (e.g., MS Dynamics) and modern office IT tools.
• French or German language skills.

 
Personal Attributes

• High ethical standards and discretion.
• Strategic thinker.
• Ability to work flexibly, balancing presence in the office with remote availability.
• Commitment to FSD’s mission, impartiality, and non-political alignment.

About us

FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) is a humanitarian non-governmental organisation, founded in Geneva in 1997, dedicated to protecting civilians from landmines and explosive remnants of war. 

FSD teams locate and destroy explosive ordnance, raise awareness about the dangers of mines and unexploded ammunition, and support victims of accidental explosions. 

Over the years, FSD has expanded its scope to address urgent needs in post-conflict environments, including environmental decontamination, sustainable agriculture, and capacity-building initiatives. 

Headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland), FSD currently employs close to 650 staff across four continents and has operated in over 30 countries. Since its founding, FSD teams have cleared more than 1.5 million explosive devices, preventing deadly accidents, enabling reconstruction, facilitating the return of displaced populations, and supporting agricultural recovery. 

FSD is ISO 9001-certified and holds the ZEWO quality label, ensuring ethical and efficient use of donations.