Job Description

Position Title: Programme Manager
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Duty Station: Head Office Islamabad
Unit: Programme
Section: Protection and Education

Key Summary of Position
The Programme Manager will oversee and manage multiple high-impact programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, donor requirements, and community needs. S/he will be responsible for providing leadership, coordination, and support to the Project Managers across different programme areas, guiding them through the project life cycle—from planning to implementation and reporting. The Programme Manager will be the senior point of contact for the Programme team, promoting synergy, accountability, and excellence in all aspects of the programme’s execution. The position requires a highly organised individual with a strategic vision to enhance the organisation's programme outcomes and ensure the achievement of defined objectives.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
• Lead and oversee the execution of all programme activities, ensuring alignment with the organisation's strategic objectives, donor requirements, and community priorities.
• Provide strategic guidance to Project Managers, ensuring the implementation of projects in an effective, efficient, and timely manner.
• Ensure that project teams under the Programme have clear roles, responsibilities, and appropriate resources for successful delivery.
• Develop and ensure the use of standardised processes and systems for programme planning, implementation, and reporting across multiple projects.
• Act as the key liaison with donors, stakeholders, and other partners, ensuring strong, transparent, and accountable relationships.
• Oversee and guide the development of project work plans, budgets, procurement plans, and monitoring frameworks to ensure the timely and effective implementation of programme activities.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of project performance, providing guidance and corrective action as needed to ensure alignment with agreed timelines and budgets.
• Ensure that financial management of projects adheres to donor regulations and organisational policies, maintaining transparency, accountability, and compliance across all programme activities.
• Contribute to the development of new proposals and programme designs, working closely with the CEO and senior management to secure new funding opportunities.
• Foster a strong culture of knowledge-sharing and capacity-building within the Programme team, ensuring that staff development needs are met and performance standards are consistently achieved.
• Monitor and report on the overall programme results, ensuring that goals and objectives are met and communicated effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with safety, security, and operational standards across programme sites, providing support to field teams as necessary.
• Lead strategic programme evaluations and post-project reviews to inform future programme planning and development.
• Ensure the development and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.
• Promote collaboration and integration of activities across various project teams, ensuring the harmonisation of approaches and sharing of best practices.
• Organise and lead programme-level meetings, workshops, and training sessions to enhance team collaboration and performance.
• Act as the senior representative of the Programme Unit at external forums, meetings, and with donor agencies, ensuring the visibility and credibility of the organisation’s work.
• Demonstrate leadership in addressing and resolving complex programme challenges, escalating issues to the CEO as necessary.
• Perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the CEO to support the organisation's objectives related to programme management.

Job Specifications
• Master’s degree in Project Management, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in managing large-scale programmes, with at least 3 years in a senior management position.
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and leading complex, multi-project portfolios in the NGO or development sector.
• Strong knowledge of programme management methodologies, project life cycles, and best practices.
• Excellent financial management skills, with experience in budget preparation, tracking, and reporting.
• Experience in designing and managing M&E frameworks, with a focus on impact measurement and results-based management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with donors, government partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team.
• In-depth understanding of donor compliance, contractual obligations, and reporting requirements.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to organisational values, integrity, and a collaborative, team-based approach.
• Familiarity with the security and operational challenges of working in diverse field locations, including the ability to provide appropriate support to teams in such environments.