WL ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

World Learning is a non-profit organization advancing leadership in more than 60 countries. For 82 years, we have envisioned a just world driven by engaged citizens and thriving communities. To achieve this goal, we provide education, exchange, and development programs that empower people and strengthen institutions.

World Learning has been working in Pakistan since 2013 and is currently implementing multiple programs focusing on activities in early grades reading, professional development, and IT-related workforce development across various regions of the country. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Advancing Girls Education & Skills (AGES) USAID-funded program operating in four provinces (Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) of Pakistan.  The four-year program works to improve access to formal and informal education, engage communities to support expanded educational opportunities, and collaborate with the Pakistani government to strengthen policies which support girls and young women.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Program Manager Technical is a senior member of the AGES team and reports directly to the Chief of Party. The position requires a balance of (ideally) technical expertise in vocational training and/or middle and high school education (or non-formal education), and management acumen in working with a diverse set of government stakeholders, community members, partners, and contractors. Willingness to travel extensively to field sites to listen to feedback and observe activities underway is required. In addition, this position requires an ability to make thoughtful decisions, and mold and adapt challenges into opportunities for innovation. Specifically, this position will:

Major Responsibilities.

1. Projects/program Coordination and Support

• Coordinate, review, edit, and develop annual project work plans, including activity spreadsheets, narratives, risk matrices and any technical write-ups  in close coordination with consortium partners

• Provide technical oversight to ALP, TVET and advocacy strategies across the consortium and work directly with the COP to assure the quality of the technical interventions in various AGES geographic locations• Support provincial team leadss in customizing AGES as appropriate and required for success and responsiveness in each province/district, while ensuring overall adherence to consortium design and partner requirements• Mentor, and coach the provincial team leadss in implementing the work plan, meeting results targets, ensuring compliance, and overall high-quality of implementation.

• Ensure effective and efficient Tracking of 'work plan implementation'

2. Reporting, monitoring and learning:

• Support the AGES M&E team and provincial team leadss in ensuring that monitoring systems are appropriately supporting program functions, that technical decisions and adjustments are communicated regularly, and that modifications are rigorously based on learning, evidence and data.

• Prepare and finalize the submission of project quarterly and annual progress reports, including background documents

• Prepare and/or manage the publication of summaries of discussions, outcomes reports, articles, presentation decks, interview guides, agendas, invitation letters, website content, etc

• Participate in the review, editing, and finalization process for various research studies and surveys 

• Coordinate with AGES national and provincial teams and implementing partners to ensure the sharing of knowledge, learning and resources related to programming.

3. Communications & Networking:

• Proactively identify challenges and pre-empt them using strong communication, collaboration and coordination amongst provincial Team Leads and various consortium partners and stakeholders across the province.

• Work closely with the Communications team to ensure that program content, information, and ideas are efficiently and routinely incorporated, applied, and reinforce various AGES advocacy programs and interventions

• Mentor and support junior staff

• Support COP in maintaining and enhancing strategic partnerships with government, implementing partners, corporate sector sponsors, and other external stakeholders

• Represent AGES to key government counterparts, donors, when advised by the Chief of Party

QUALIFICATION

Education

 • Graduate degree in International Development/Policy, Education, Gender Studies, Economics, or Geography preferred.

• Fulbright or international scholarship recipients are highly encouraged to apply.

Work Experiences: 

• At least 5 years of international development/technical program experience, leading program implementation and support services in a progressively senior role

• Previous experience working on USAID or UKAID funded programs highly preferred

• Previous experience working with top-tier consulting firms or in other international settings/postings highly preferred

• Previous experience working in multi-inputs and multi-sectoral programs/projects required.

Demonstrated Skills and knowledge:

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with national counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders

• Deep understanding of education concepts and issues in development context

• Expert knowledge in at least one main technical area of programming including non-formal education, TEVT, women employment/economic empowerment

• Working knowledge of the results framework approach to project design, and project cycle management

• Experience with capacity-building, training, professional development and/or participatory, adaptive, gender-sensitive programming and implementation required

Language and Computer Skills

• Must have a high degree of proficiency in MS Office programs

• Demonstrable proficiency in/interest in at least two other computer programs (i.e., Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Audacity, Ocean Audio), and proficiency with various social media platforms highly desired. • Fluency in written and spoken English and Urdu is required (including the ability to type in Urdu). Additional regional languages (Sindhi, Pashto, and Punjabi) are preferred.

Travel:• Willingness and ability to travel to difficult field locations (30%)