Project Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Project Manager

Location: Islamabad (with frequent field travel to the project areas in Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan)

Duration: 3 years 

Reports to: General Manager Programme Division, READ Foundation

Job Summary

The Project Manager will provide direct managerial and technical supervision and support to the UKAID project teams to ensure effective and efficient project implementation. S/he will lead all aspects of project planning and quality implementation, including providing technical expertise, managing project finance, and ensuring budget compliance; supervising staff tasks, and performance; coordinating with partners, including government institutions; supervising regular monitoring and evaluation of the project interventions; producing quality reports; and building staff capacity for achieving the desired results. In addition, as Project Manager, s/he will be responsible for developing supplementary project proposals related to the project that builds on the successes, lessons learned, and needs assessments of the project, and ideas for new initiatives. S/he is also expected to work closely with the General Manager Programme Division for project-related issues and represent the organization in external meetings, forums, and workshops when required.

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & TASKS

Project Management (75%)

• Provide technical support and supervision on efficient and effective implementation of the project as per work plans, MEAL plans, budgets, timeline, and contractual obligations;
• Design relevant technical monitoring tools and implementing materials to ensure quality implementation.
• Maintain regular and direct communications with the Programmes Manager at the READ Foundation UK office
• Manage project teams to ensure delivery of agreed deliverables, plans, and strategies as per the organization’s policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure project activities are on track, including developing and implementing solutions as necessary.
• Manage project budgets and spending in accordance with BVAs, and adhere to partner and READ Foundation policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Conduct capacity-building and/or mentoring activities for project staff and/or community partners as required.
• Facilitate team building and cohesive working among team members.
• Develop, review, and maintain quality documents and reports on project interventions.
• Maintain project transparency and accountability within the project team and with partners.
• Support the project teams in relevant tasks of project management, including resource allocation and ensuring maintenance of appropriate controls at all levels.
• Provide feedback to the project teams to ensure optimal performance.
• Travel to the field frequently to visit project sites and provide support to the teams as needed. 

Reviews, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting (15%)

• Support development and implementation of mobilization and MEAL plans for the project (including databases and data collection; output, outcome, and impact evaluation; and success stories, and lessons learned).
• Ensure regular project monitoring, evaluation, documentation, and clear reporting on the progress of project implementation against indicators and targets and determine corrective measures to improve project delivery.
• Ensure safeguarding throughout all project activities from project design to evaluation.
• Support the development and roll-out of needs assessments, including tools, training, and implementation at  field level.
• Develop new or supplementary project proposals related to the project, building on lessons learned, needs assessments, and coordination with key stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of READ Foundation’s strategies and plans related to its education programmes.
• Oversee the timely submission of project reports, meeting institutional and partner requirements,  as well as sharing challenges and successes.

External Coordination and Communication (10%)

• Represent READ Foundation in coordination meetings and external relationships.
• Maintain organizational consistency through strong and positive relations with field teams, and the head office in Islamabad.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Master’s degree in Education (preferably with a specialization in Non-formal Education), Educational Leadership & Management, or related disciplines in social sciences. A certificate in Project Management is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in implementing education projects/programmes (preferably on girls’ education, non-formal education, accelerated learning, community development, and advocacy) at the field level with NGOs or other relevant actors in development contexts.
• Demonstrable experience in project management, preferably an education project/programme, and understanding of donor compliance including UK Aid.
• Demonstrable technical expertise in the assessment of, design, and delivery of programming in education, including monitoring and evaluation
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Urdu. Proficiency in regional languages will be preferred.
• Strong understanding of the education landscape of Pakistan at the national, provincial, and district levels.
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in staff capacity-building through training, on-the-job support, and mentoring/ coaching. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in diverse and challenging environments.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with the workload.
• Demonstrated competence as a team player.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field, including on short notice, when required.
• Experience of implementing a FCDO (UKAID) funded project is desirable.

About READ Foundation

Founded in 1994, READ Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization focused on ensuring equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

READ Foundation seeks to provide locally relevant, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions to the problems of access, quality, and equity in education in rural areas of Pakistan through formal and non-formal programming. It today runs 400 schools with 118,000 pupils and 5,948 teachers.

About the Project

Under this project, funded by the UK FCDO, READ Foundation shall set up 120 Community-Based Accelerated Learning Schools (CBALS) in Districts Diamer (Gilgit-Baltistan) and Tharparkar (Sindh). This 3-year project aims to help 3,600 underprivileged and out-of-school girls get quality primary education by attending a condensed, non-formal curriculum delivered over 30 months.