Vacancy type: Fixed term contract, Full time
Location: Islamabad
Service areas: Pakistan
About the role
Adam Smith International is a strategic development company that helps people prosper by making economies stronger, societies safer, and governments more effective. Our clients are governments, international organisations, companies, and foundations. They come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that, in turn, stimulate growth, stability and good governance. Our core team of managers and technical experts, in offices around the world, ensures the quality of delivery and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. We bring together a global network of specialist experts, who contribute their experience and know-how, where and when it is needed. ASI is owned and operated by its employees, and we are all dedicated to making a meaningful difference in complex, challenging situations. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) is a £37.5 million programme that aims to support provincial economic development and sustainable energy in Pakistan. It supports the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), to plan and finance the infrastructure and investment it needs for growth, jobs and prosperity. The programme also addresses Pakistan’s energy crisis by providing innovative financial solutions to industry for the adoption of sustainable energy practices. The outcome of the programme will be public and private investments generate greater economic, social, and environmental returns. The programme will be managed by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Programme Manager for SEED Programme to support in high quality delivery of the programme. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in advanced program management with reputed development sector companies demonstrating the ability to deliver complex initiatives within the scope, budget, and timeline constraints. Additionally, we expect the Senior Programme Manager to provide quality strategic direction, manage a dynamic team, and ensure successful delivery of program.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal:
Technical team including Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Associates and Partners/Suppliers.
South Asia team management (particularly other Program Managers, Project Directors, and Head of Pakistan)
ASI Pakistan HR, Operations and Security Team
ASI Finance & Project Accountants team (Islamabad and London)
External:
Program Stakeholders (FCDO, Federal government and its agencies)
Other donors, consultants, NGOs operating in Pakistan
Other government representatives
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supports Senior Management in setting and executing the strategic direction: Supports in executing the strategic direction of SEED programme, ensuring overall alignment of the workplan with Theory of Change and log frame throughout all planning and delivery.
Supports the management of the team: Supports the Programme Director, TL and DTL in management of the team, defining roles, and instilling a culture of high performance, adaptation and innovation, and working politically, whilst encouraging collaboration, retention, well-being, and positive behaviours in line with ASI values.
Strategy
Support senior management in managing the programme, including overall strategic direction and programme guidance on all aspects of the programme.
Ensure that activities are implemented to a high quality within expected timeframes and expected results.
Act as the primary point of contact with the clients and government counterparts, including representing the programme at meetings with representatives of donors, national and sub-national governments.
Hold the accountability and responsibility for the technical delivery of the program along with senior program delivery leaders.
Support in setting and executing the strategic direction, maximising impact and value for money, ensuring overall alignment of the workplan with strategic priorities.
Support the development of the programme Theory of Change and the design of interventions, contributing knowledge of international best practice grounded in the local context.
Oversee and manage a real-time M&E process that drives continuous learning, and captures planned and emergent outcomes.
Ensure that all interventions and workstreams have a clear sustainability strategy and exit plan from the start of the programme.
Client engagement, Stakeholder Relationship Management and Communications
Acts as principal liaison with the client– ensuring the client is appraised of project progress, issues and risks are identified early enough and escalated.
Work Planning and Progress Tracking
Support in leading the development of the programme’s workplan, its implementation and initiate necessary revisions and further client approvals where necessary.
Responsible for the execution and timely delivery of the programme workplan.
Ensure timely and quality delivery of all contractual deliverables and annual workplans.
Co-lead regular Strategic Reviews, as agreed with the client.
Financial Management
Review budget implications of technical decisions with the management team
Work with programme management teams to ensure effective management of the project budget, ensuring efficient use of resources, and managing expenditure in line with the agreed budget.
Ensure accurate and timely budget forecasting of all planned activities for timely reporting to the client.
Legal, Ethics and Compliance and Risk Management
Lead regular discussions to identify and assess risks/issues, to assign risk ownership and to follow up on implementation of mitigating actions (at least monthly)
Ensure the client is informed of strategic risks and mitigation plan is in place
Oversee and ensures programme practices are in compliance with ASI and client contractual rules and regulations, and that all programme staff comply with UK and local laws and regulations, client, and company policies.
People Management
Support the management in leading and managing the team to ensure clear roles and responsibilities, understanding of the workplan, objectives, priorities and deliverables.
Support the management in managing and maintaining team performance, ensuring that appropriate HR practises, including performance management system, are in place and being followed.
Foster a positive and encouraging team atmosphere, supporting team members to develop and excel in their positions.
Manage subcontractors’/partners’ performance, to ensure quality and timeliness of delivery and results at project level
About you
QUALIFICATIONS:
Desirable – Masters in a relevant subject from a recognized university
Good undergraduate degree in a relevant subject
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Relevant advanced level experience within the program management function.
Prior experience in similar role with international development company will be preferred.
COMPETENCIES:
Planning and delivering results
Quality and accountability
Continuous improvement
Managing complexity
Innovation and change management
Communication and knowledge management
Leadership and direction
Collaboration and teamwork
Personal impact and effectiveness
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of the political landscape. Including:
elections
religious and country events,
social and political drivers of conflict and people
Knowledge of their team’s technical or geographical area of work.
Understanding of duty of care, occupational health and health and safety issues from a company perspective and ability to mitigate our risks.
Knowledge of how to respond to all safety and health situations in an appropriate and effective way.
SKILLS:
Economic and environmental skills
Good negotiation skills
Excellent complex proposal writing skills