Project Manager

I.   JOB SUMMARY:

Project Manager will be primary responsible person for leading/ managing the consortium project titled “Advancing Girls Education and Skills” (referred to here as AGES) funded by USAID. The project will be implemented in Peshawar, Swat and Buner districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province for its Education Accelerated Learning Program- ALP component as well as in Karachi and Lahore for its private sector vocational skill trainings and job placement. Reporting directly to Head of Programme Implementation and Snr. Education Advisor, the Project Manager (PM) will have a prime responsibility for quality implementation and timely deliverables and reporting of project activities to CARE and Consortium as per agreed work plan. The incumbent is required to build effective and robust programme implementation and monitoring system for AGES through local NGO while keeping abreast of CARE’ partnership framework. The PM would require to build effective relations with govt. private sector, communities, donors, working through local networks, build synergies with on-going CARE programmes and other donor funded and government run programmes, focusing adolescent girls’ education and empowerment. The post requires both project management and technical capacities in education and especially secondary education and accelerated learning programming. The PM will ensure that identified groups are appropriately involved, addressed and will closely collaborate with the CARE Country Office including (but not limited to): , Risk Management Unit, Finance Unit, Procurement, HR and Administration.  S/he will be the primary focal person for the project relations with implementing partners, technical experts, district government, and represent the project on behalf of CARE as directed by the line manager.

II.   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

 A)      Support to program/project Management development and planning: % of Time:  60%

§  Lead, supervise and guide the Implementing Partner’s (IP’s) and/or project field team in planning and implementation of activities and maintain regular liaison with designated focal person of the IPs.

§  Manage the project (being implemented through IPs) in a manner to achieve project objectives.

§  Contribute to the capacity building of partner staff as and when required through identification of needs e.g. M&E, gender, advocacy and draw support from CO through the line manager.

§  Identify and support in arranging input required for implementation of project activities and follow up on timely delivery with program support in the field and CO. Hold project’s quarterly progress review meetings and report back to the CO/line manager.

§  As required, oversight of and advice in the selection of providers/partners, suppliers and procurement process.

§  Develop a good and smooth working relationship with Partners to ensure the technical correctness, quality and timeliness of the work undertaken by the partners.

§  Prepare and timely submission of narrative progress reports and supporting documents, financial reports in accordance with applicable reporting formats to CARE and Consortium Lead.

§  Facilitate Partner for preparation and submission of monthly reports (narrative and financial), activity plans, and scheduled monitoring reports to measure progress / changes.

§  Undertake regular and rigorous field visits to project areas and/or work from partner’s office as and when required with clear objectives and outcome reports.

§  Ensure good coordination with line manager provide work plans and reports as desired

§  Maintain all documents related with project implementation - ensure adequate record keeping of the project data, information progress and related documents.

B)      Networking and partnership building: % of Time:  20%

§  working in a consortium setting, this role requires coordination and team work with all consortium partners

§  At Provincial, District and Sub-district level, liaise with all stakeholders (including relevant government departments, communities, school committees and management etc.) and represent CARE Pakistan in district forums related to the project. Also liaise (or facilitate liaison of the project) at provincial as and where required.

§  Ensure that all information relevant with project (programmatic and technical), networking or other communications with CARE staff, management and external interlocutors is passed in a complete, accurate and timely manner.

§  Development and coordination of district coordination committees for education and provide technical guidance throughout the process.

§  Effectively manage private sector coordination for vocational training and job placement of young women

§  Technical support to Consortium partners on replication of Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) in Sindh

C)      Learning, monitoring and Documentation % of Time:  10%

§  Provide regular and timely project updates to CARE team on progress, priorities and constraints both verbally and in writing regarding the project.

§  Document best practices and lessons learnt from the project implementation and ensure dissemination within the organization, with partners and other stakeholders as well as follow up on using these.

§  Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for education programs.

§  Keep up to date with developments in the sector particularly in the target district and sub-districts, including best and most appropriate practices, examples and document appropriately.

§  Ensure the documentation

§  Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.

§  Incorporate monitoring and reviews findings into program and management identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.

§  Prepare progress reports as required by the Country Office, Govt. and Consortium donor and other stakeholders

D)      Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building % of Time: 10%

§  Inculcate innovative approaches and good practice in project management cycle to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.

§  Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

§  Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.

§  Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programs/projects.

§  Help build team capacity on developing impact materials such as documentaries, human interest stories and case studies 

III.    AUTHORITY 

A)    General Accountability

This post will be responsible and accountable for maintaining CARE’s program quality and accountability standards as set by CARE’s program manuals.

B)    Financial Accountability: 

This position has financial management responsibilities limited to the project budget.  The position will participate in development and revision of operational budgets, in collaboration with project and core finance and other program staff.

C)    CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS 

The PM reports to Snr. Education Advisor and is expected to work closely with other program staff at various levels. The PM will also work closely program support staff at various levels to ensure project deliverables. As approved by the supervisor PM will represent CARE internally and externally at a variety of levels related with the project subjects.

Working Conditions

The position will be based in Peshawar with frequent travel (80%) to the project areas and Islamabad. When required, the Project Manager will travel to as necessary to attend meetings and follow-up on programmatic issues. 

IV.  QUALIFICATIONS (KNOW HOW)

A) EDUCATION/TRAINING

1.    A Master degree or equivalent professional qualification in social science, education, and/or development related discipline.

2.    5-7 years’ practical experience in managing large donor funded Education program with UN, and INGOs. Understanding and working at institutional and policy level programming in Education Sector will be added value.

3.    The post holder must be aware of and sensitive to the particular needs of women in this context.

4.      Demonstrated experience of working in volatile and highly insecure operating environment

5.      Experience in working with communities and capacity building.

B) TECHNICAL SKILLS

§  Good project management and people management skills. Working in consortium setting will be an added value

§  The ability to present concise reports, sometimes at short notice, reflecting the problems and possible solutions for particular situations.

§  Diplomacy, tact and administrative skills in order to work with people at managerial and, on occasions, senior government levels.

§  Demonstrated ability to utilize participatory management tools.

§  Good analytical skills (program and finance) to manage the project.

§  Managing project budget efficiently and optimum use of project resources.

§  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from IP, CARE and donor.

§  Excellent interpersonal skills and negotiation skills

C) COMPETENCIES

§  Project management Strong coordination skills with the ability to manage information including report writing and presentations

§  Technical writing and information analysis

§  Fluent in English and Pushto (written and spoken).

§  Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of disadvantaged populations

§  Demonstrated experience of integrating gender and diversity issues into education system

§  Understanding the dynamics around partnerships with local and government institutes, consortium, implementation partners and private sector

§  Awareness, sensitivity and understanding of cross-cultural issues in all situations.

§  Ability to work independently and as a team player that demonstrates leadership and is able to support team in a sensitive and participatory manner.

§  Ability to operate effectively under difficult circumstances and difficult living conditions.

§  Contributes to team’s success through innovation, problem solving, planning, and leading through vision and values.

CARE believes in equal opportunities for all. Qualified women are encouraged to apply