Summary of Responsibilities

The Head of Office is overall responsible for implementation of USAID funded Pakistan Reading Project activities in the region. The Head of Office will be the primary project representative to donors, government, and other stakeholders in the region. The Head of Office is responsible to technical backstopping to all units of the regional office and where necessary to seek inputs from World Learning/ the project central team in Islamabad. The Head of Office will work closely with World Learning/ the project central team in Islamabad to provide project updates, discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and success indicators. The Head of Office being overall in-charge of project implementation in the region will ensure the smooth and responsive management of technical, operational, financial, security, and logistics departments in the region.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of project activities in the region;

• Work closely with the World Learning/ project senior central team, and COP in Islamabad to ensure the project interventions are implemented with high quality standards and are in consistent with project strategic objectives and activities;

• Work closely with World Learning/ project senior central team and government counter departments to influence and ensure the sustainability of project interventions

• Lead review and planning sessions with project staff and government counterpart departments on ongoing basis to ensure timely support and direction received.

• Lead and gear World Learning efforts for broadening the support and advocacy base for the project activities in the region;

• Oversee the project’s financial management, and develop region specific details implementation plan and ensure of the tracking and monitoring of the deliverables including budget;

• Ensure compliance with organization’s/ donor’s rules, regulations and policies while meeting project/program targets;

• Establish a monitoring and support system for staff in a consistent and transparent manner to bolster team’s performance;

• Coordinate the recruitment of all staff based in region/district of responsibility, ensuring that mobilizing orientation is made available in the short term, as well as long-term for performance management support and empowerment;

• Lead the submission of quality reports, project updates and briefs on periodic and as/when needed;

• Travels as needed to consult, oversee and participate in events that contribute to the project deliverables;

• Develop and lead staff capacity building strategies for improved performance in line with project plan and World Learning’s best practices;

• Create an inspiring teamwork environment for achieving goals with high standards and provide mentoring support as/when needed;

• Consult frequently with key team members for positive outcomes and influence valuable changes for positive outcomes;

• Establish an open discussion for decision-making and build a unified department

• Recognize and acknowledge the skills of the team members and utilize their strengths to the benefit of the project;

• Act as point of contact in the region for the project and World Learning

• Represent the World Learning to key government counterparts, donors, and within high priority coordination meetings in the region and central level as required;

• Any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Education:

Master in international development, business administration, or related field.

Work Experiences:

At least 8 years of program management experience, leading program implementation and support services; with at least 4 of which in a senior leadership role. Experience with projects supporting basic or higher education with focus on system level teacher training, education policy, curriculum development and students learning assessment system is highly desired. Previous experience of managing USAID, UKaid, and EU funded programs is preferred.

Demonstrated Skills:

• Ability to manage complex, multifaceted activities while balancing multiple deadlines and competing priorities;

• Demonstrated exemplary diplomatic, networking, management, and interpersonal skills;

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, communities, government stakeholders, and partners;

• Strong staff management, mentoring and capacity building skills;

• Ability to negotiate effectively, monitor, assess, and achieve tangible, high-quality results;

• Demonstrated understanding of functional systems of government stakeholder, grassroots-level realities, challenges, and opportunities;

• Demonstrated track record of establishing collegial and collaborative team environment which create opportunities for individual staff to perform and to be made accountable for;

• Demonstrated passion and commitment for improving education sector in the region. Language and Computer Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written skills; exceptional attention to detail;

• Strong computer skills in MS office – especially MS. PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook Travel:

• Willingness to travel

Please Note: If any candidate face difficulty while applying for this position, kindly update your Rozee Profile along with CV to avoid this issue.