Programme Support Officer

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 seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health 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, health, rural development, environment, and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking a high-caliber professional for the following position to be based in the Director General Health Services (DGHS), Department of Health, Gilgit City, Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

“Programme Support Officer”  (Consultancy Contract)

The incumbent will be reporting technically to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Office and administratively to Director General Health Services (DGHS) Gilgit Baltistan (GB) or his/her designated official of that office and work closely with the Health Department of AKF(P).

Job Purpose

The Programme Support Officer is intended to support and facilitate in timely and effective implementation of UNFPA supported activities by Director General Health Services (DGHS) Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Department of Health. Under the overall guidance of DGHS-GB, the Programme Support Officer will report to a designated Officer of DGHS and facilitate and coordinate all relevant stakeholders for execution of activities efficiently, reporting and documenting the progress reports. Administratively, the Programme Support Officer will be recruited by Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) under the UNFPA Assistance and be placed at DGHS-GB for day-to-day support in the areas outlined below. The Programme Support Officer will receive technical advice from UNFPA and fulfill its reporting requirements.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Summary of Key Functions:

The Programme Support Officer provides support to the DGHS-GB, establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies and civil society to address emerging issues related to Reproductive Health (RH) and FP (Family Planning) and to facilitate implementation of the recommendations provided in due course of time. Specifically, the Programme Support Officer will be responsible to:

Provide support to DGHS-GB and UNFPA in organizing coordination forums including Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) working group, Reproductive Health (RH) working group and other meetings and facilitate in developing presentations, analytical reports and briefs.

Participate in provincial level coordination forums and relevant working groups and facilitate/ support DGHS in presenting the implementation status of Family Planning (FP) programs and Council of Common Interests (CCI) recommendations including UNFPA supported activities.

• Provide technical, administrative and secretariat support to DGHS-GB including but not limited to providing support to the implementation of various UNFPA assisted activities, support and facilitate the implementation of its decisions, report on progress and prepare working papers for the meeting.  
• Facilitate and support DGHS and relevant departments/programs in conducting field monitoring visits of SehatMand Khandan (SMK)/UNFPA supported interventions in districts.
• Provide assistance to DoH (Department of Health) to coordinate with relevant provincial government departments, International and National Development Partners (IDPS), Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for reporting on the implementation of FP programs and CCI recommendations.
• Support the DGHS-GB in preparing briefs, PowerPoint presentations, regularly update and working papers for various meetings.

Provide monitoring support for DGHS-GB as and when needed within in the region. Perform any other task specific to implementation of UNFPA supported activities as required by DGHS and UNFPA Country Office.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

o   The incumbent must have a Masters’s degree from a recognized and well-reputed University preferably MBBS, MPH, or Social Sciences.

Knowledge & Experience

o   Minimum of 3 years professional experience preferably in Programme/Project Management, Communications and Public Relations in the Public or Private Sector. UN experience in Programme/Project Management will be an asset. Experience of Population Program at provincial level and understanding of latest development will be an added advantage.

o   A thorough understanding of the public system in general, and especially population and health mandate, policies and operations, as well as the current development and political context in Pakistan.

Functional Competencies

o   Advocacy/Advancing a Policy Oriented Agenda.

o   Results-based Programme Development and Management.

o   Innovation and marketing of new approaches.

Core Competencies

o   Values: Integrity/Commitment to mandate, Knowledge sharing/ Continuous learning, Valuing diversity.

o   Managing Relationships: Working in teams, Communicating information and ideas, Conflict and self-management.

o   Working with people: Empowerment/ Developing people/ Performance Management.

o   Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and Analytical thinking, Results orientation/Commitment to excellence, Appropriate and Transparent decision making.

o   Good understanding of government and development partner policies and priorities and familiarity with broad objectives of the AKDN and the development sector; cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity and ability to work in a diverse environment.

Soft Skills

o   Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Urdu. Understanding of local languages will be an added advantage.

o   Excellent knowledge of the IT inclusive of applications, Microsoft office, mechanics of the social media, digitization is essential.

AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and a conducive working environment. AKF(P) recruitment and selection policy and procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of children in accordance with AKF(P)’s Safeguarding Policy and expects all staff, volunteers, and representatives to share this commitment. Background checks and an approved vetting procedure will be required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is September 4th, 2022. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.