Program Manager - Economic Development

Assignment

The Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) is currently developing its global strategy for promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. Under this programmatic area, ACTED Pakistan is developing a strategy for sustainable and inclusive income generation for men and women in line with the decent work agenda and linked to skills training and business development, currently incorporated under the education programme.

To develop its country strategy, ACTED is seeking an experienced professional with a minimum of 5-10 years work experience in Pakistan and a strong technical background in rapid market analysis, skills training and skills gap analysis, rural development, value chain development, careers counselling, business training and small enterprise development.

ACTED currently has expertise in the area of basic primary education as well as technical and vocational training. Other areas of expertise related to rural development and livelihoods include nutrition and agricultural livelioods. The profile of the hired candidate should complement this existing skill set and expertise.

In the initial 6 - 9 months the technical advisor will also be asked to closely supervise the technical and vocational skills training project ACTED is currently implementing under a EC funded programme. The project is currently in the final stages of training students and linking them with income generation opportunities and financial services. Other tasks and duties include programme and strategy development as well as researching and writing background papers, as mentioned below.

Objective 1.1: Background papers on livelihoods and value chains for ACTED Pakistan's priority regions in Sindh & KPK

In cooperation with Education Programme Coordinator and Nutrition and Agricultural Livelihoods Advisor, research and write technical background papers and strategies, based on research conducted by ACTED, existing secondary literature and meetings with government and private stakeholders.

Objective 1.2: Develop strategy for and conduct Rapid Market Appraisals

Together with the Education Programme Coordinator and AMEU teams, conduct rapid market appraisals to assess options for economic and rural development programmes in priority regions of Sindh and KP provinces.

The Project Manager shall support the preparation of reports to be submitted to Donors / Authorities / Coordination bodies. S/he will be responsible for producing case studies, best practice papers and supporting the development of projects in the area of economic and rural development and livelihoods.

Support project coordinators with technical knowledge and capacity building to build institutional capacity of TVET Centres and develop strategies for marketing TVET trades and graduates' skills. in particular:

1. Ensure that TVET Centres function as viable businesses and establish close relationships with private sector companies and other stakeholders.
2. Secure sustainable funding and partnerships from private sector companies.
3. Ensure participation of private sector in advisory councils and boards established to support TVET Centres.

Objective 2.2: Creation of linkages between TVET graduates and market players for income generation

Refine existing market linkages strategy with project coordinators and market linkages officers to link graduates to relevant employers or market their products effectively in a competitive local and regional environment. In particular:

1. Ensure that graduates are linked with internship and apprenticeship opportunities
2. Ensure that graduates find income generating opportunities, including the promotion of small business development and micro-finance loans together with the implementing partner PMN
3. Identify sustainable business development opportunities in local and regional markets.

Objective 2.3 Management support

In the closing phase of the project, support management of project coordinators and build their capacity in the planning of activities and meeting targets. He/she will ensure that project activities are planned and implemented to a high standard and that local project coordinators follow overall strategic implementation plans to ensure quality and impact.

Objective 1.1: Background papers on livelihoods and value chains for ACTED Pakistan's priority regions in Sindh & KPK

In cooperation with Education Programme Coordinator and Nutrition and Agricultural Livelihoods Advisor, research and write technical background papers and strategies, based on research conducted by ACTED, existing secondary literature and meetings with government and private stakeholders.

Objective 1.2: Develop strategy for and conduct Rapid Market Appraisals

Together with the Education Programme Coordinator and AMEU teams, conduct rapid market appraisals to assess options for economic and rural development programmes in priority regions of Sindh and KP provinces.

The Project Manager shall support the preparation of reports to be submitted to Donors / Authorities / Coordination bodies. S/he will be responsible for producing case studies, best practice papers and supporting the development of projects in the area of economic and rural development and livelihoods.

Support project coordinators with technical knowledge and capacity building to build institutional capacity of TVET Centres and develop strategies for marketing TVET trades and graduates' skills. in particular:

1. Ensure that TVET Centres function as viable businesses and establish close relationships with private sector companies and other stakeholders.
2. Secure sustainable funding and partnerships from private sector companies.
3. Ensure participation of private sector in advisory councils and boards established to support TVET Centres.

Objective 2.2: Creation of linkages between TVET graduates and market players for income generation

Refine existing market linkages strategy with project coordinators and market linkages officers to link graduates to relevant employers or market their products effectively in a competitive local and regional environment. In particular:

1. Ensure that graduates are linked with internship and apprenticeship opportunities
2. Ensure that graduates find income generating opportunities, including the promotion of small business development and micro-finance loans together with the implementing partner PMN
3. Identify sustainable business development opportunities in local and regional markets.

Objective 2.3 Management support

In the closing phase of the project, support management of project coordinators and build their capacity in the planning of activities and meeting targets. He/she will ensure that project activities are planned and implemented to a high standard and that local project coordinators follow overall strategic implementation plans to ensure quality and impact.