The IRC is seeking a Deputy Project Director to drive the FCDO funded ‘GOAL’ in Pakistan. This is a 5-year, £130 million anticipated programme, with an expected release date by October 2022, and mobilisation in the first quarter of 2023. GOAL focuses on two main priorities – access to and quality of learning for all children particularly girls – in the least developed districts of Punjab (South Punjab) and KP (the Newly Merged Districts).
Background and objectives of GOAL
The programme will cover 3 broad components: Technical Assistance, Service Delivery and Financial Aid. It aims to deliver the above-mentioned outcomes through five outputs:
1. Reduced barriers and schooling costs for girls and marginalised children,
2. Increased awareness and prioritisation of education (learning)
3. Improved teacher knowledge, skills and classroom practice
4. Learning facilitated through quality (teaching learning) resources and guided by assessment
5. Improved planning and management at the school, district and provincial level.
Scope of work
The Deputy Project Director will have primary responsibility for overseeing, supporting and mentoring the project team. S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, including the responsibility for overall financial accountability, staffing, and programme delivery. The person in this role will also have the principal responsibility of representation of the project with host country counterparts and other actors in the project-supported provinces and in Islamabad. S/he would also be able to act for and represent the Project Director, as necessary.
The Deputy Project Director will bring exceptional experience, expertise and commitment to girls’ education and empowerment in Pakistan. S/he is expected to have strong skills in programme design and development, advocacy and networking with international and national institutions and development agencies which promote girls’ education and empowerment. The Deputy Project Director will support management of partners/subgrantees and provide financial and operations support that optimises resources through consistent financial tracking and timely submission of donor reports. This will include overall technical, financial and operational programme management.
This is a senior position which requires outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and organisational, team-building and representational skills. The Deputy Project Director role is envisaged to be full-time and will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Travel to the target areas may be required subject to COVID-19 situation.
Major Responsibilities
• Support the Project Director in the day-to-day management of the project, including financial accountability, staffing, work planning, and reporting.
• Ability to perform at a senior management level including managing staff in a matrixed system with a focus on adaptive management.
• Support the development of the monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan and ensure linkages between evidence generation, policy dialogue, and technical assistance to the government departments.
• Support the Project Director to provide management and implementation oversight.
• Oversee on-going quality assurance and quality improvement for technical activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners, and stakeholders at country and global levels.
• Represent the project director, as necessary, to FCDO, implementing partners, host country governments, project stakeholders, and counterparts in the public and private sectors.
• Identify issues and risks related to project implementation in a timely manner and ensures appropriate program adjustments.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.
Qualifications
• Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in Education, Gender, or related field with at least 10 years working in international development in adolescent girls and empowerment.
• At least 10 years’ experience in leading the management of large and/or complex donor funded programmes and managing a diverse team of professionals and consortium partners.
• Extensive Experience working with provincial governments in Pakistan will be preferred.
• Experience and ability to provide leadership and direction in harnessing the multi-disciplinary skills of the technical personnel and consortium partners.
• Familiarity with current debates about girls’ education and empowerment including FCDO’s thinking and emerging priorities.
• Experience and ability to work with, and build effective partnerships between, a broad range of stakeholder groups including government, civil society, private sector and multi-laterals.
• Prior experience in operating effectively in high-risk environments will be an advantage
• Prior experience in managing large FCDO programmes (preferably commercial contracts).
• Experience working with children and adolescents and an ability to apply safeguarding, ethics, and ‘do no harm’ principles.
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills and ability to articulate arguments and positions backed with evidence in order to promote causes and ideas.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in French strongly preferred.
• Qualified females are encouraged to apply.
Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31649?c=rescue