Congratulations to DT Global’s Tonette Mangrobang who was recently appointed as the new Contractor Representative/Program Director, Philippines. Here we take five with Tonette to talk about her career in the development sector and her vision for her new role at DT Global.
Can you tell us a little bit about your early career history and how you got into international development?
I am a lawyer and a development professional with 20+ years of experience working in the Philippine Government, with extensive experience in immigration law, and Intelligence Network Development with domestic and international intelligence and law enforcement agencies. I likewise served as the Head of the Philippine Immigration Academy where I was tasked to design, develop and deliver capacity development programs for the institution.
I studied in Germany as a scholar of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany where I studied Law Enforcement Administration.
During my stint in government, I represented the Bureau of Immigration in the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and helped craft institutional policies intended to curb trafficking in persons in Philippine borders. As a result, I received recognition from IACAT for anti-human trafficking advocacy in 2011 as an anti-trafficking hero.
Before joining ASEAN Australia Counter Trafficking, I worked with the Philippine justice sector as a Program Coordinator for the International Development Law Organization. Similarly, my work dealt extensively with the implementation of programs to enhance the institutional capacities of partner government justice institutions.
What was your most recent role with ASEAN ACT?
The Country Manager – Philippines is a senior leadership position, and the main liaison point between the program and senior Philippine stakeholders with a role in countering trafficking. This role provides high-level representation at the country level in meetings, consultations and events, providing strategic advice to wide-ranging regional and national partners, including government and non-government organisations.
The Country Manager – Philippines works collaboratively with the Leadership Team and Operations Team to provide a combination of programmatic, managerial, technical and operational expertise to enable the planning and implementation of national-level ASEAN-ACT work plan activities.
The role has an overall responsibility for the management of country activities, leading and managing the country team with adept planning, budgeting, monitoring, GEDSI and reporting, as well as identifying and providing internal capacity development opportunities for the country team to enhance their knowledge and skills.
What is your new role and what will you be doing?
As Contractor Representative/Program Director, I will be responsible for overseeing and managing DT Global programs from Manila, which may include regional programs or bilateral programs based in the Philippines. This includes overseeing corporate program teams, engagement with client/s and related partnerships. The role involves ensuring the effective implementation of development programs, achieving strategic objectives, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders. The Contractor Representative will be directly responsible for the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN-ACT) program, as well as delegated oversight of corporate functions in Manila, as assigned by the Asia Regional Manager from time to time.
What excites you about working at DT Global, ASEAN ACT and the International Development Sector?
The learning opportunities are what excite me about working at DT Global and ASEAN ACT. I have been implementing international development programs for several years and the new CR role will allow me to look at programs using a different lens. I am very eager to learn how I can contribute to the Program and DT Global and make the CR role my own.
Having been part of the ASEAN ACT Team for more than three years now and implementing the Philippine country program, I feel that this experience will provide a great compliment to my new role as CR for ASEAN ACT. I know the Program inside and out which will help me strategically oversee and manage the Program.
After leaving the public service for several years now, my desire to strengthen government institutions has not waivered. Being in the international development sector has allowed me to continue with that burning desire, this time working ‘with’ and not ‘in’ government.
What do you hope to achieve in your role both professionally/personally?
I hope to really make this CR role my own. To bring my knowledge and experience to the table and strategically navigate the challenges and the risks with a clear understanding of the work environment. I hope to build and strengthen working relationships, knowing how valuable this is in the work that we do.
Personally, getting out of my comfort zone seems to be daunting but I believe that to build one’s character I must do things that scare me. I pray that this journey will do just that and so much more.
Anything else you would like to add?
I wish to express my sincerest thanks to DT Global for giving me this opportunity. After completing the DT Global Emerging Leaders in Development Program, a bigger world was revealed to me. A world of opportunities that recognise my capabilities with a sincere desire to build my capacity as an international development worker.
