WHY WORK AT ZFF?

Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) provides a competitive compensation package, a hybrid work arrangement, customized training and development program, and more.

ZFF offers a competitive benefits package:
• Hybrid work arrangement
• 30 days incentive leave (combination of vacation and medical/ sickness leaves), plus 5 emergency leaves
• Annual Physical Examination leave
• HMO and Life Accident insurance coverage
• Customized training and development (synchronous and virtual instructor-led training)
• Monthly communication/ internet allowance
• Annual clothing allowance
• Performance-based bonus

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) Internship program provides a training ground for students looking to deepen understanding of work in the public health sector and non-profit organization processes. The program, relaunched in 2021, has produced 3 full-time employees who started out as interns in the organization.

The following units are currently accepting interns:
• Human Resources
• Admin
• Finance
• Management Information Systems
• ZFF Institute
• LHS Portfolio
• Nutrition Portfolio
• The Challenge Initiative

Submit applications by emailing hr@zuelligfoudation.org or hrrecruitment.zff@gmail.com.

TCI Annual Meeting 2023 Charts Course for Sustainable Impact in Reproductive Health and Family Planning

The Challenge Initiative (TCI) convened its fifth annual meeting from December 4-8, 2023 at Marriott Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. Themed “Built to Last,” the meeting brought together TCI global staff, funding partners, and representatives from 13 countries in Africa and Asia, including the Philippines through the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), to reflect on achievements, challenges, and set the course for sustainable impact in reproductive health and family planning.

TCI was conceptualized as a platform rather than a time-bound project, focusing on business unusual in the development space. More than just a program, it facilitates high-impact interventions in urban areas across Africa and Asia. In the past 6 years, TCI has engaged 178 cities and local governments, allowing them to lead, finance, and own implementation of health programs.

The meeting underscored the expertise of the Philippines, particularly in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) programming. Some of the Philippine health innovations highlighted were the digitalization of health information systems, creation of ASRH training institutions and pool of trainers, and integration of services in hospitals. ZFF is also specifically acknowledged globally for its leverage in leadership and governance as key drivers in strengthening local health systems through its Bridging Leadership Program.

The activity likewise engaged funding partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Bayer AG. BMGF pledged ongoing support beyond 2025, emphasizing the importance of addressing family planning commodity security. Bayer AG applauded TCI as a global platform adaptable to local contexts.

On the last day, TCI presented its key priorities for 2024 and beyond, taking from the lessons learned from the whole activity. These priorities involve attracting more partners, expanding into new geographies, exploring innovative funding mechanisms, implementing digital solutions for data analysis, maintaining a platform mindset, and accommodating additional health areas. TCI aims to leverage existing structures for integrated interventions, deliver impactful outcomes in graduated cities, and continue leading innovation and thought leadership for sustainable impact at scale. The ultimate objective is to empower local teams and generate internal success.

Reflecting on the five-day activity, the Philippine delegation expressed confidence in their growing momentum in health governance, marked by an increase in performance metrics. ZFF’s expertise in this field was recognized as a major advantage.

Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas: Incorporating Culture and Tradition into Healthcare and Nutrition

Alongside tourism and mining, agriculture and food production are two major sources of income in Benguet. Known as the “salad bowl” of the Philippines, the province contributes to about 80% of Luzon’s daily supply of lettuce, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and other semi-temperate crops. This is why, during his Deep Dive—a brief immersion into the health realities on the ground—Gov. Melchor Diclas was taken aback when malnutrition cases were reported in the province.

Addressing malnutrition using a multi-sectoral approach

One of the challenges of being a mountainous province is the people’s difficulty in accessing basic healthcare services. After conducting an intense and in-depth analysis of Benguet’s healthcare situation, Diclas, along with the Department of Health Cordillera, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), and the Provincial Health team, went on a deep dive and visited the two families with reported malnutrition cases in Atok, one of the province’s geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA) municipalities.

As a governor and a medical doctor, Diclas knows the importance of health and nutrition in children’s development and the future of the province. He immediately took action and pushed the provincial government team to prioritize the development of livelihood opportunities and agricultural interventions to address the food insufficiency in the area. He also directed the strengthening of the Provincial Nutrition Action Team and provided training for parents to ensure that the children’s nutrition and priority health needs are met.

Realizing the community’s need for better access to a nearby health facility, the governor also included the construction of a health facility in their local development plan to ensure that children’s health and nutrition are monitored regularly and that people do not need to walk long hours to access the nearest health station.

Institutionalizing healthcare for all

Diclas firmly believes that access to healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen. So, when Benguet was chosen as one of the pilot areas for Universal Health Care (UHC), the province immediately signed up and started the local health system reforms.

He has put in place extensive measures to guarantee that everyone has access to healthcare, especially in isolated and underprivileged communities. To reach remote locations, mobile health clinics have been used, giving people access to essential medical care and health information.

An important feature of Benguet is its people’s deeply rooted cultural beliefs and traditions. Having a good grasp of this as an Igorot himself, Diclas understands the hesitations of people in choosing medical services over traditional healing techniques. Instead of forcing them to accept and adjust to the available health programs and services, he led the innovation of developing culturally sensitive facilities and service deliveries to cater to what the people need.

On the way to a healthier Benguet

The proactive and forward-thinking leadership of Diclas is helping Benguet move toward a healthier future. He has transformed the healthcare landscape by making sure health programs and services are culturally sensitive, investing in a stronger provincial health team, and leading health system reforms by encouraging multi-sectoral action.

He has transformed challenges into innovations grounded in his constituents’ needs and respectful of his people’s culture.#

(Published September 27, 2023)

ZFF Honored by UNFPA: A Decade of Transformative Impact in Family Planning, Maternal Health, and Youth Leadership

The Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) received a prestigious Plaque of Recognition from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on November 30, 2023. This accolade serves as a tribute to ZFF’s unwavering support, dedication, and significant contributions as an implementing partner in the critical missions of ending unmet need for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, and eradicating gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The recognition extends beyond ZFF’s pivotal role in these global initiatives. The award specifically acknowledges ZFF’s accomplishments and steadfast commitment to nurturing competent youth leaders through its Youth Leadership and Governance Program. This transformative program, initially implemented in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Lanao del Sur from 2019 to 2023, was later expanded to Samar and Southern Leyte in 2023.

Dr. Dorie Lyn Balanoba, ZFF’s Project Director for UNFPA-ZFF Partnerships, accepted the well-deserved recognition on behalf of ZFF during the UNFPA Closing Activity of the 8th Country Program of Assistance to the Philippines at Quest Hotel, Pampanga.

Beyond a mere commendation, the UNFPA expressed its profound appreciation for ZFF’s Youth Leadership and Governance Program (YLGP). Notably, the UNFPA highlighted the YLGP as a pivotal intervention to be implemented under Sub-output 3.2 of its 9th Country Program, emphasizing the importance of capacitating local governments in contextualizing, planning, ensuring adequate budget allocation and utilization, and operationalizing coordination mechanisms.

This recognition underscores ZFF’s enduring impact and commitment to creating positive change in communities and fostering sustainable development.

North Luzon Transformation: Design Thinking, Team Coaching with ZFF’s BayangMalusog

As part of the continuing effort to help local health centers achieve Universal Health Care (UHC) in the northern region, the Department of Health Centers for Health Development (DOH-CHD) of Cordillera, Ilocos, and Cagayan Valley, in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), recently mounted the 3rd module implementation of the Bayang Malusog Regional Leadership Development Program (RLDP) in Baguio City last September 6-7, 2023. In attendance were 27 participants, including assistant regional directors, provincial health team leaders, and UHC coordinators from the three DOH-CHDs.

In the two-day training activity, no less than the former DOH Undersecretary Dr. Myrna Cabotaje emphasized that while the training activity is critical and can provide fundamental and technical knowledge, the participants’ integration with real experience and learnings on-site will surely go a long way.

“Your role involves facilitating access to health care services. Remember the human aspect, taking into account the people’s conditions and adapting your approach accordingly,” shared Dr. Cabotaje, as she encouraged everyone to positively contribute to UHC so that its impact is truly felt. “Sharing is learning,” Dr. Cabotaje added.

One of the participants, Jennifer Valenzuela, City health team leader of Baguio City, could not agree more. “Health care has to be felt more by Filipinos and our community through better access to quality health care services,” Valenzuela said.

Promising accomplishments in northern Luzon have also been highlighted including the progress of licensing and accreditation of primary care facilities and the growing commitment of local leaders to champion the integrated approach to UHC. Most of the provinces in the region have achieved 100% on the preparatory level of UHC maturity—a set of standards set by the DOH.

However, challenges remain to ensure access and quality of primary care services, a competent health workforce, and a functional electronic medical records system. Central to these challenges is the operationalization of the Special Health Funds.

These health system challenges are being addressed through proactive and responsive leadership and more intentional team coaching. Among the initiatives being worked on are the enhancement of the user interface of iClinicSys, the electronic medical records system used in primary care facilities, and the development of a technical assistance package aimed at expediting compliance with licensing and accreditation standards for needed facilities. These plans are part of a broader strategy that seeks to strengthen their approach to increasing immunization coverage in the regions.

The BayangMalusog Regional Leadership Development Program continues to empower leaders in their pursuit of UHC, creating a healthier Filipino population. #

 

(Published September 26, 2023)

ZFFI Learning Session: Empowering Academic Partners in Health Leadership

The Zuellig Family Foundation Institute for Health Leadership (ZFFI) recently hosted a two-day Learning Session for Academic Partners (APs) at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila on July 26 and 27, 2023. The event aimed to equip APs with practical insights from real-world experiences, enhancing their strategies for implementing essential local health programs, including those related to health systems, nutrition, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The training focused on Bridging Leadership (BL) and the Health Change Model, both recognized by the Foundation as powerful tools for driving transformative health care outcomes.

The first day emphasized key topics such as BL and the pivotal roles of APs in executing Universal Health Care (UHC) goals. The occasion also marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, highlighted by a Memorandum of Understanding signing with new APs. A recognition ceremony honored the significant contributions and unwavering support of APs in the Foundation’s mission of advancing better health outcomes for all.

Austere A. Panadero, President of ZFF, highlighted the intricate nature of implementing UHC, involving expansion and restructuring. Many local government units lack readiness for this, as seen in the gradual UHC rollout. Panadero sought support for UHC changes, questioning how to expedite these with available resources and which institutions can guide effectively. He said that ZFF sees the APs as a solution. In the UHC rollout, academic institutions become transformative educators, evidence-based influencers, and advocates for quality care, empowering local health leaders to achieve UHC efficiently.

On the second day, APs openly exchanged insights and recommendations across three themes: health leadership and governance program implementation, the role of academic institutions in mentoring health leaders, and research study findings. The recommendation suggests continuing deep investigations by APs with involvement of peers for meaningful learning, while also expanding faculty ownership for teaching and coaching. It urges APs to apply program strategies with local governments, enhance coaching skills for Department of Health partnerships to empower LGU leaders, and stresses trust-based relationships as pivotal for positive changes in local health systems.

The two-day session involved 17 participants from 10 esteemed institutional partners, including Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Cebu Normal University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Silliman University, St. Paul University Philippines-Tuguegarao, University of the Philippines Manila-College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila – School of Health Sciences, and University of the Philippines Visayas. Newly engaged institutions, Cordillera Career Development College and Mindanao State University-Sulu, also joined the event.

(Published August 22, 2023)

Provincial health teams from Ilocos Region undergo ZFF training toward accelerated UHC implementation

Ilocos Region’s Universal Health Care (UHC) provincial health teams gathered in La Union last July 4 to 6 for training activities under the BayangMalusog Provincial Leadership Development Program. BayangMalusog is a health leadership development program to accelerate UHC implementation in partner provinces.

The sessions were implemented by the Department of Health – Ilocos Center for Health Development in partnership with the University of the Philippines – College of Public Health (UP-CPH) and the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF).

The training focused on helping provincial health teams become adaptive leaders to improve the region’s health outcomes in line with UHC’s implementation. The sessions included sharing experiences, good practices, and challenges of the areas in their UHC progress and workshops on team dynamics and developing team synergy. The event ended with the development of action plans for the region’s #JumpSTART in UHC for BayangMalusog.

The UP-CPH facilitated the executive session for Governors Jerry Singson of Ilocos Sur and Rafy Ortega-David of La Union, focusing on the governors’ learnings from the deep dive sessions, action plans, and leadership strategies in leading the UHC Implementation. Both governors expressed their strong support for the upcoming activities of their region to implement UHC.

At the end of the activity, DOH CHD Director Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco and DOH CHD Assistant Director Dr. Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz reaffirmed their support to the governors towards the progress and implementation of UHC in the Ilocos Region.

LCF’s CSR Expo highlights sustainability and accountability

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) held its annual CSR Expo 2023 from July 4 to 6, 2023, with conference sessions at the Makati Diamond Residences and an exhibition at Glorietta II Activity Center. This year’s event aimed to embed sustainability and accountability among its member organizations to align its ESG (environmental, social, and governance) frameworks and reporting with government priorities and requirements.

As the Vice Chairperson of the LCF Health Committee, Dr. Anthony Rosendo Faraon, deputy executive director of the Zuellig Family Foundation, presented the committee’s strategy for reinforcing private sector participation in improving access to health care, especially among vulnerable communities. Efforts focus on the use of innovative health care technology, such as new diagnostic tools, medicines delivery, and telehealth. Expanding the usage, quality, and availability of these innovations with the local governments provides opportunities for the private sector support to government interventions in implementing the Universal Health Care Law.

An estimated 200 participants from among its members, partners, stakeholders, and CSR practitioners, participated in the CSR Expo. For more information about LCF and the CSR Expo access the LCF FB page (League of Corporate Foundations – LCF), and the LCF CSR Expo website (https://lcf.org.ph/csr-expo/).

(Published July 18, 2023)

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