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Join us in accelerating circular economy transition by empowering recycling startups and green innovators in the Philippines!
The Context
Makesense Circle Academy, co-led by Makesense Asia and Plastic Odyssey, is an inclusive incubator designed to accelerate the transition toward a green and circular economy in the Philippines. The program will support seven idea- to early-stage startups in recycling and waste valorization through technical mentoring, seed funding, and business development support.
This initiative contributes to local job creation, waste reduction, and climate resilience, especially in underserved communities across NCR, CALABARZON, and Cebu. By bridging the gap between innovation, impact, and circular systems, the Circle Academy strengthens the foundation for a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
Your Mission
As Project Lead for the Makesense Circle Academy, you’ll be at the heart of this transformation. You will lead the strategic and operational delivery of the project — from planning and implementation to partner engagement and performance management — ensuring that activities are on time, on budget, and on target to achieve lasting impact.
You will serve as the key focal point between Makesense Asia, Plastic Odyssey, the incubatees, donors, and implementing partners, ensuring that collaboration drives real-world results for people and the planet.
Key responsibilities
1. Project Planning and Implementation
- Lead the overall implementation of the Makesense Circle Academy in alignment with the approved work plan, budget, and donor requirements.
- Develop and monitor detailed project timelines, milestones, and deliverables across all phases: co-design, incubation, capacity building, monitoring, and scaling.
- Coordinate the design and rollout of the incubator program, including training modules, mentoring frameworks, and technical assistance activities to be led by PO.
- Oversee the selection, onboarding, and continuous support of 7 recycling startups.
- Ensure effective coordination of local activities in NCR, CALABARZON, and Cebu, including co-design workshops, field visits, and pilot setups.
2. Partnership and Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with LGUs, ensuring project compliance with local requirements and alignment with community development priorities
- Lead coordination with relevant national government agencies (NGAs) such as DENR, DTI, DOST, and other local environmental offices to secure permits, certifications, and clearances necessary for field implementation
- Anticipate legal, environmental, and logistical challenges early and develop risk mitigation strategies for project sites
- Serve as the main liaison between Makesense Asia, Plastic Odyssey, government partners, academic institutions, and private sector partners.
- Represent the Makesense Circle Academy in ecosystem events, forums, policy dialogues and coordination meetings.
3. Business Development and Co-Financing
- Identify and engage potential co-financing partners, including corporates, development agencies, and philanthropic organizations, to sustain and scale project impact.
- Support the development of sustainable business models for each of the seven incubatees, including revenue streams, partnership models, and investment readiness.
- Collaborate with the Communications and Partnerships teams to pitch project outcomes and secure funding opportunities.
- Present the project confidently to boards, investors, and corporate partners.
4. Financial and Administrative Oversight
- Work with the Operations and Finance teams to ensure proper budget utilization, financial reporting, and compliance with donor guidelines.
- Oversee sub-grant disbursement and expenditure tracking for participating startups.
- Ensure procurement and logistical activities follow internal and donor standards.
- Contribute to risk management and mitigation planning throughout project execution.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEL)
- Ensure accurate data collection, documentation, and reporting of key project indicators (environmental, social, and economic results).
- Coordinate with Communications teams to produce donor reports, success stories, and case studies.
- Support the impact tracking of each micro-recycling enterprise and ensure that key performance targets (e.g., plastic diverted, jobs created) are achieved.
- Support the development of knowledge products such as toolkits, manuals, and policy briefs to facilitate replication and scaling.
5. Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Supervise a small project team (officers, and coordinators)
- Foster a collaborative, impact-driven, and learning-oriented team culture.
- Mentor and support entrepreneurs and partners in adopting circular economy and inclusive business practices.
- Coordinate with Makesense’s cross-functional teams (Finance, HR, Impact, Communications) to ensure alignment and coherence across all project components.
Is this job for you? Well, let’s see!
We’re looking for someone who can turn systems thinking into action, a strategic yet hands-on project leader who thrives in multi-stakeholder environments, understands the dynamics of green entrepreneurship, and is passionate about driving circular transformation in the Philippines.
