Senior Project Manager

PSW Digital Transformation Office

The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) initiative, led by Pakistan Customs, aims at reducing the time and cost of doing business by digitalizing cross border trade and eliminating paper based manual processes. The PWSC, a public sector company incorporated under section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017 by Pakistan Customs has been notified as the ‘operating entity’ of the PSW system by the Federal Government under the provisions of Pakistan Single Window Act, 2021.

The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is an electronic facility that allow parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. The PSW will primarily serve as a platform for integrating Customs and regulatory clearance of import, export and transit goods and is predicated on a harmonized and coordinated approach towards cargo reporting, management and clearance procedures. Accordingly, in addition to customs clearance, electronic processing of licenses, permits, certificates and other regulatory documents mandated by national and international laws, e-payments, and integrated risk management involving joint inspections, the PSW system will also include electronically integrated platforms for cargo processing and management in the form of port community systems implemented at all seaports, air freight units, international border crossings and dry ports. These platforms will enable real time exchange of information amongst other stakeholders connected to international trade such as port operators, ground handling agents, freight forwarders, transporters, and shipping agents etc. and will maximize the potential benefits of the PSW system. The PSW system began rolling out in July 2021 and achieved first phase completion on June 30, 2022.

Customs Management System is an integral component of the PSW ecosystem. Unlike other systems, that PSW is developing, an automated, paperless Customs Management System called ‘WeBOC’ already exists and is operational at all customs locations. A dedicated IT team is responsible for the WeBOC system operations and maintenance, and system enhancements under the guidance and supervision of the Directorate of Reforms & Automation, Pakistan Customs.  Going forward, PSW is working on the technical and functional upgradation of the PSW system and is currently looking for a dynamic

Senior Project Manager to lead and align Customs Management System (WeBOC) with the responsibility for coordinating and collaborating with Pakistan Customs for continued operations and maintenance of the WeBOC system as well as working with the WeBOC transformation team for delivering successful outcomes for crucial trade transformation projects via practical and pragmatic project management. The projects managed by this role will be significant in scale and business impact, and there will be a requirement to address several projects concurrently.  This role will directly report to Head PSW Digital Transformation Office. DTO is a combination of people, processes, metrics, methodologies, and tools, that centrally drives, and manages the diverse set of digital initiatives in the organization.

Responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility of the Senior Project Manager is to enhance Directorate of Reform & Automation’s capability to deliver WeBOC projects by maturing the DTO (Digital Transformation Services) and creating a delivery focal point for project information, progress and expertise. The required tasks may include:
• Lead on all WeBOC’s Programs/Projects w.r.t planning, coordination, collaboration, and monitoring of activities and support alignment of various activities against holistic strategic drivers promoting commonality of approach, process, and documentation.
• Prioritize projects and change requests in close consultation with the Directorate of Reforms & Automation and communicate the priorities to the WebOC development team.
• Ensure that deliverables, objectives, and outcomes of the project(s) are achieved as specified, within agreed timelines, as per agreed quality standards
• Lead project meetings and facilitate workshops as required, producing & presenting written and oral reports/management information to Senior Management and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Identify, document, analyze and, if required, challenge internal & external customer requirements, ensuring the project meets business needs / strategic aims
• Undertake detailed project planning & documentation (defining project deliverables, success criteria, benefits management, dependencies, change control, risk management) including escalating risks & issues as required.
• Closely monitor project progress, performance, and quality, including evaluation and benefits realization. Develop / implement tools for effective project management and reporting.
• Monitor and report progress against plans through regular reviews and maintain close contact with all stakeholders for tracking project implementation, and identification of implementation gaps if any.
• Lead and provide guidance to Project Managers for the delivery of projects/programs on time, within scope and on budget.
• Develop, implement, and govern Trade Reform Program Management processes, dashboards, templates, policies, and metrics.
• Monitor compliance with project policies and standards.
• Interface with executives to define project priorities, implementation opportunities, and challenges and communicate project risks and opportunities.
• Serve as the PSW point of contact with the Directorate of Reforms & Automation, Customs, Federal Board of Revenue on all WeBOC related issues.
• Provide project management support to the WeBOC transformation team being established by PSW for WeBOC upgradation.
• Manage own continuous professional development, internal collaborations and external networks, to contribute to service quality, research excellence and innovation.

Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelors or Master’s in Business Administration, Computer Science / Information Technology, Project Management, or any relevant discipline.
• 8-10 Years minimum in IT / Software development Project Management, preferably 2-5 years in digital transformation, automation, cloud, risk management implementations in large and complex organizations.
• Strong leadership qualities and organizational skills as well as the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, assignments, and roles.
• Understanding of business processes of cross border trade will be an added advantage.
• Exceptional knowledge of Agile/Scrum/Lean principles and practices.
• Strong knowledge of SDLC principles and practices.
• Experience using Click UP/ JIRA / Zoho /Atlassian/ Slack workflow will be preferred.
• Experience in a program or project office environment including familiarity with best practice program and project governance. 
• Candidates with PMP or PgMP certification shall be preferred.
• Experience in strategic alignment, request prioritization and benefit management.
• Experience in people and performance management.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills. In particular, a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical and business issues and solutions to multiple organizational levels internally and externally as needed to support the strategic goals.
• Delivering high-profile, approved business transformation projects.