Project Director At International Rescue Committee

The IRC is seeking a 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 mobilization 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 marginalized children,

2. Increased awareness and prioritization 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 Project Director will coordinate across multiple partner organizations and IRC staff and be the primary representative of the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related meetings. He/she will ensure that the project achieves the expected results and is implemented in accordance with the donor agreement, donor regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. She/he will have the overall responsibility for the oversight and delivery of outputs and results of the programme. Oversee management of partners/subgrantees and provide financial and operations support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor. This will include overall technical, financial and operational management of the programme. He/she will be supported by a team of dedicated full-time and part-time personnel as determined by the needs of the programme. He/she will support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility

The Project Director will be the face of the programme and expected to maintain strong relationships with FCDO and other networks in the sector as well as communicate effectively and distribute information about programme achievements and lessons learned to a range of different audiences. He/she will bring exceptional experience, expertise and commitment to girls’ education and empowerment especially in Pakistan. The Project Director is expected to have extensive skills in programme design and development, advocacy and networking with international and national institutions and development agencies which promote girls’ education and empowerment. Wider technical knowledge of gender programming including women and girls’ economic empowerment, gender and poverty-related barriers, gender-based violence, education and livelihoods will be essential.

The role is envisaged to be full-time and based in Islamabad, Pakistan with travel to focal provinces: KP and Punjab.

Project Director Profile & Qualifications

• Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in education, gender, public administration, or related field with at least 10 years working in international development in adolescent girls and empowerment.

• At least 10 years’ experience managing large-scale, multi-million-dollar, complex, multi-partner projects.

• Experience and ability to provide leadership, direction and 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, multi-laterals and other donors.

• Prior experience in operating effectively within complex and high-risk environments and managing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

• Prior experience in managing large FCDO contracts will be a bonus.

• Experience of coordinating and working with the government of Pakistan, particularly the provincial education departments will be an advantage.

• 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.

• Will be expected to align to and assure adherence to IRC’s internal policies, guidelines and ethics as well as FCDO’s code of conduct and compliance requirements.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

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.