Communication for Effective Social Service Delivery, Phase II (CESSD II), currently operating in 11 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, is a multi-sectoral capacity building initiative working at the community, district, and provincial levels to improve the supply of, and access to, basic social services (education, health care, and water supply). Enabling communities to express their needs, hold their government to account, and get more and better basic social services, helps to promote peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. All of these services are also critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The project goal is to strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders responsible for the delivery of gender-sensitive, accountable and high-quality social services, and to facilitate and encourage them in working more closely together. CESSD, with the support of its Implementation Partners which are local NGOs, is working to revitalize government-approved community organizations - called Social Services Committees (SSCs) - in order to help them carry out their mandates more effectively. SSCs are a vehicle for increasing citizens’ participation in overseeing the delivery of social services, as they also share responsibility for the day-to-day management of their respective facilities. Should donors want to provide significant funding to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, to improve social service delivery, it would be essential that these community organizations, as well as district- and provincial-level authorities, be in a position to work effectively together in a transparent and accountable way. CESSD is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
General Mandate
The resident CESSD Project Field Manager (PFM) is based in Peshawar, Pakistan, managing a team of local staff of approximately 100 people who advise and coach personnel from selected district governments, Provincial Departments and civil society. With technical and managerial support from the headquarters CEA team, the PFM works closely with government and civil society to help support the role of SSCs, in relationship with communities and government, to build sustainable mechanisms, identify capacity gaps, and provide training. The PFM employs participatory and multi-stakeholder processes, and works to enhance gender equality within the field team and project stakeholders at all levels of implementation. The Field Manager reports to the Canadian Project Director (CPD) based at Cowater's Headquarters.
Detailed Responsibilities
Under the supervision of Cowater HQ, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Overall responsibility for the achievement of Project results;
- Overall management of the project's progress and staff in Pakistan;
- Overall responsibility for procurement using Project funds;
- Overall responsibility for the financial accounting of the Project field expenses.
Program Planning and Reporting:
- Preparation of background documentation and participation in the Project Steering Committee responsible for policy/direction and operational decision-making.
- Ensuring sensitivity to gender and social accountability issues and concerns in all project activities, communication messages and materials.
- Preparing annual workplans and progress reports and submitting to the CPD three weeks prior to due dates as determined in the annual workplan.
Management and Administration:
- Maintain CESSD Project offices – ensure that CESSD offices are properly equipped to run efficiently;
- Administration of locally-engaged personnel – in consultation with the CPD and in accordance with CIDA and Cowater hiring policies, recruit the locally-engaged professional and support personnel as required, establish their job descriptions, supervise, support and administer the contracts of these personnel, conduct annual performance appraisals of each locally-engaged staff member, and report the appraisals to Cowater HQ. All contracts for locally- engaged personnel are prepared and signed by Cowater HQ;
- Provide coordination, administration, and logistical support to international consultants in Pakistan on short-term assignments;
- Prepare Terms of Reference, coordinate the selection and manage the work of local service providers (ie. Implementing Partners) and consultants in accordance with the annual workplan and their signed contracts;
- Policies and Procedures – in consultation with the CPD, regularly update appropriate policies and procedures to facilitate the administration of the CESSD office.
Project Accounting:
- Maintain quality control measures to ensure proper accountability;
- Assume accountability for all field expenditures related to CESSD;
- Supervise accounting functions and approve payments and procurement, as approved in the annual procurement plan.
Qualifications:
- A graduate degree in development or management.
- At least 15 years of experience in international development, with 10 years working in a developing country - South Asia, or Pakistan would be an asset.
- At least 10 years experience in leading large and complex projects.
- At least 8 years supervising a minimum of 8 employees.
- Proven capabilities in proactive management, enabling s/he to react to daily problems.
- Proven ability to interact with very senior government officials.
- Ability to bridge hierarchical gaps and promote participation, communication and joint action.
- Results-oriented management style, ability to innovate and strategize, leadership.
- Ability to supervise, mentor and create enthusiasm in others towards team work and taking responsibility.
- Excellent writing and interpersonal skills.
- Flexibility and cultural sensitivity.
- Fluency in English.
- Experience in a volatile environment is an asset.
Please send cover letter and current detailed CV by April 25th to Louise Ouimet, Program Director, Social Development Group (louimet@cowater.com). We thank all those who apply, however only those making the shortlist will be contacted.