Programme Manager - Education

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It brings together human, financial and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalised communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity and improving the quality of life. It seeks sustainable innovative solutions to long-term development problems with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, early childhood development, health and nutrition, agriculture and food security, economic inclusion, habitat, and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking an enthusiastic high calibre professional for the following position to be based in Islamabad with extensive travel within Pakistan. 

“Programme Manager, Education”

This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding and energetic professional wanting to make a lasting difference at the grassroots as well as policy level within AKF(P). The successful candidate will report to the Director, Education/ECD and play a key role in improving and expanding the Education Programme in AKF(P) in collaboration with AKDN agencies, donors, and civil society and government partners. 

Background & Overall Objective:

AKF(P) has a long history of success in improving access to and the quality of education in Pakistan, producing replicable innovative models, particularly for girls and working with communities. In its current programme AKF collaborates with the government in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, KP and AKDN agencies to increase access and improve learning outcomes for students in over 700 government, community and low-cost private schools. It also works with government and education partners to influence national and provincial policies and practice. The programme contributes to the overall AKDN education goal of ensuring that girls and boys are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to help them interact effectively with the world and be contributing members of society. 

The Programme Manager, Education will report to the Director, Education/ECD AKF(P) and assist the Director in ensuring quality programming, effective monitoring, evaluation, research and learning as well as mutually beneficial relationships with partners. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the education portfolio by:

 a) providing strategic and technical support aligned with AKF’s global framework and AKDN priorities. 

b) designing new programmes and innovations collaborating with colleagues across sectors and agencies. 

c) engaging in partnerships and resource mobilization efforts.

d) contributing to policy dialogue at the provincial and national levels. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

The Programme Manager, Education will work within technical, partnerships and knowledge management areas and be responsible to:

Technical: 

1. Manage the AKF Education portfolio and team to ensure programme effectiveness and alignment with AKF national and global education frameworks and AKDN priorities.

2. Assist the Director, Education in leading the quality implementation of programmes through providing technical support and guidance to AKF staff and implementing partners in delivering the programme.  

3. Assist the Director, Education in the development of AKF’s Education strategy papers, and contribute to AKDN education strategies.

4. Provide technical support to the AKF Policy & Partnerships and donor units in programme conceptualisation, design and proposal development.

5. Work closely with other AKF thematic leads to design integrated programming (health, economic inclusion, livelihoods, etc.), such as youth/adolescents, ECD, nutrition, climate change, etc. 

6. Ensure gender equity, pluralism/inclusion and safeguarding are addressed within programmes.  

7. Lead the development of innovations in education programming, including use of technology. 

8. Review and enhance teacher education and capacity building programmes and resources; provide and/or organize initiatives for AKF staff, implementing partners and key stakeholders.  

9. Conduct regular visits to the field to provide on-site support to partners for programme effectiveness, identify challenges and opportunities and work collaboratively on solutions.

Partnerships and Networks

10. Strengthen relationships within and across AKDN agencies for in-country joint programming and AKDN synergies to achieve AKDN Education goals.

11. Cultivate relationships with key government, donor, NGO and other leaders in education policy, practice and research at the local, provincial and national levels to inform evidence-based approaches for education programmes.

12. Assist resource mobilization for AKF and AKDN agencies’ education programmes in country, including the preparation of technical proposals, communications and representational activities. 

13. Represent AKF in local, national and global forums when required to share evidence and influence policy and practice.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Sharing

14. Work with the monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) team to strengthen MERL frameworks and tools for programme effectiveness, learning and sharing. 

15. Contribute to the preparation of regular, easy to read reports and meaningful communications materials for donor and other audiences for information sharing and resource mobilisation. 

16. Contribute to research and dissemination, policy dialogue/advocacy workshops at regional, national and international levels. 

17. Contribute to the preparation of policy/strategies, annual budget papers, reports and presentations for senior management.

18. Keep abreast of latest developments in international and comparative educational development nationally and internationally.

19. Role model and encourage the expected professional behaviour adhering to AKF (P) organisational policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the AKDN Code of Ethics.

20. Undertake other duties as needed and assigned by Director, Education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Academic Background

• A Master’s degree, preferably in educational leadership, teacher education, school improvement, or educational evaluation from a reputable and recognized institute.

Experience: The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following:

1. An excellent combination of academic and professional experience with success in a leadership position in a reputable educational organisation or NGO.

2. A proven record of a minimum seven years (less for exceptional candidates) in education/educational development in primary to secondary education; with knowledge of government sector education and the educational development field in Pakistan/majority world countries. 

3. Successful classroom teaching and teacher development experience, including the design of effective professional development courses, resources, research, monitoring and evaluation.

4. Knowledge of school improvement processes and approaches to increase access and retention, improve teaching and learning and educational leadership while working with a range of stakeholders. 

5. Experience and a strong commitment to community/NGO participation in education and innovative approaches.

Person Specification: The successful candidate will need to have:

1. Excellent leadership and people management skills - ability to mentor and build teams with people from diverse backgrounds; strong interpersonal communication, emotional/social intelligence and problem-solving skills.

2. A drive for results; high capability, resilience and creative thinking. 

3. Strong research and analytical skills and abilities in programme development, project cycle management, proposal writing and monitoring and evaluation. An ability to write concise reports of high quality.

4. Ability to relate sensitively, with open-mindedness and empathy, to a diverse range of people of different strata, cultures, languages, faiths, gender and abilities. 

5. Excellent verbal and written fluency in English and preferably Urdu. An understanding of regional languages an asset. 

6. Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, inclusive approaches and pluralism. Integrity, energy, passion for quality education and rigour. 

7. Willingness and ability to undertake extensive national travel for programme support, monitoring and development. 

6. Commitment to the values of AKDN and Safeguarding.  

Candidates with good written & spoken English, excellent interpersonal skills & knowledge of MS Office, flexibility to travel and ability to work in a diverse team environment are encouraged to apply. 

AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. AKF(P) recruitment and selection policy and procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and the safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(P)’s Safeguarding policy. Females are encouraged to apply.

Please provide a cover letter along with Resume stating why you are best suited to become AKF(P)’s Programme Manager, Education.