Program Background Summary:  The USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project (PRP), implemented by the International Rescue Committee and its partners, Creative Associates International, World Learning, and Institute of Rural Management, is working with the objective to support the provincial and regional departments of education throughout Pakistan to improve the reading skills of children in grades one and two. The project aims to achieve this goal through three distinct but interrelated components that work in synergy to affect the quality of early grade education: improved classroom learning environment for reading, improved policies and systems for reading, and community based support for reading in Pakistan.

Job Overview/Summary:

The District Program Manager will provide leadership and overall management support to the Pakistan reading project district office.

Major Responsibilities:

·         Develop and maintain strong coordination with key stakeholders in the district e.g. district administration, education department, and other line departments for successful and sustainable implementation of projects initiatives.

·         Manage in-service professional development activities in the district (that include face-to-face trainings, follow-ups and roll out of TIG activities).

·         Ensure administrative and logistic support required to implement program activities in the district.

·         Lead district based staff in detailed weekly/monthly planning including field travels/school visits while adhering to quarterly/annual/LoP work plan targets and indicators.

·         Participate in the recruitment of School Support Associates and other district staff as per HR recruitment policies and guidelines

·         Under the guidance of Technical Coordinator, supervise district based staff that include School Support Associates and Admin. & Finance Officer etc. and appraises their performance as scheduled.

·         Develop and submit monthly cash projection against program activities, support district based procurement (as needed)

·          Ensure maintaining and updating of financial and compliance records/matters.

·         Support the district, provincial and national offices in undertaking monitoring and data collection of work plan activities and participate in various surveys conducted in the district

·         Prepare and submit district level monthly, quarterly and annual reports and maintain updates to be shared with his/her supervisor and the provincial team on a regular or as and when required basis.

·         Compile success stories from the field and undertake case studies to highlight impact of the project.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Technical Coordinator Position directly supervises:  Reading Quality Associates

Indirect Reporting: NA Other Internal and/or external contacts:.

Internal: Program, M&E and Operations

External:   District Government, Education Department etc

Job Requirements:

Education:

     Master in social sciences or other relevant fields – (a bachelor or master degree in education will be preferred)

Work Experience:

        Have at least 05 years of experience in:

        Managing a district level office of an INGO/LNGO preferably in education development projects (experience with   PRP or USAID funded project will be preferred)

        Managing and supervising field based training programs particularly for elementary/ primary teachers and other  professional development activities.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

Ability to model best practices in mentoring district based team for successful program implementation.

Ability to manage and adhere to strict timelines

Strong interpersonal and coordination skills

Strong information sharing and report writing skills.

Strong people management and conflict resolution skills

Language Skills: 

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written in Urdu and English (Knowledge of local languages will be an additional asset)