Manager/Assistant Manager, Institute for Educational Development

Aga Khan University (AKU), Pakistan’s first private international university established in 1983, is dedicated to delivering education, research, and healthcare services of international standards relevant to Pakistan and the region. The Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), founded in 1993, aims to lead educational reform and improvement, particularly in developing countries, by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of schools and educational institutions through innovation, policy development, training, research, and practice. The University operates across multiple countries and is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. This is a grant-funded contractual position based in Karachi for eighteen months, focused on supporting a key educational development project in collaboration with UNICEF and government stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

The Manager/Assistant Manager will report directly to the Project Director and support the project team in planning and executing project activities and events. Responsibilities include managing day-to-day academic, administrative, financial, and coordination tasks, as well as supervising project support staff. The role requires close collaboration with various internal departments such as Planning and Development, Research and Policy Studies, Finance, HR, Legal, Security, and Procurement, as well as external stakeholders including UNICEF and provincial and district education departments.

Specific duties include providing administrative and financial support, assisting in HR management, supporting academic teams in capacity-building program delivery, and ensuring timely completion of project deliverables. The incumbent will coordinate with funding agencies and government bodies, assist in reviewing and adapting educational materials, and guide the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) Specialist in database management, documentation, and report preparation. Leadership of the MER team in project documentation, progress reporting, and dissemination of knowledge products is essential. The role also involves conducting field visits to oversee implementation and organizing events such as meetings, seminars, and policy dialogues.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold a master’s degree (16 years of education) in social or natural sciences from a recognized national or international university. A minimum of five to seven years of relevant experience is required, preferably in managing educational development or social development projects. Proven expertise in day-to-day project operations, staff supervision, and capacity-building program design and execution is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong skills in project monitoring, report writing, and leadership.

Excellent interpersonal, communication (both written and verbal in English and Urdu), analytical, organizational, and report-writing skills are critical. Proficiency in MS Office, SPSS, Excel, and related software is required. The ability to maintain confidentiality, work effectively under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and willingness to travel are also necessary.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

While not explicitly stated, experience working with international funding agencies such as UNICEF and familiarity with government education departments will be advantageous. The position offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful educational reforms in a reputable international university setting, with exposure to diverse stakeholders and capacity-building initiatives.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted as part of the selection process.