JOB SUMMARY:

Ipas is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) which works to assist the Government of Pakistan in achieving the country’s commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and wellbeing). Founded in 1973, Ipas is a pioneering global organization that developed the manual vacuum aspirator technology for safe uterine evacuation, which is endorsed by the World Health Organization and by various countries including Pakistan. In Pakistan, Ipas seeks to support the government and development partners’ efforts to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity associated with complications due to unsafe practices. It collaborates with provincial governments to provide technical assistance and support for strengthening the public and private healthcare system. Ipas Pakistan seeks a seasoned senior executive with a successful track record in the reproductive health sector to lead its program team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about Ipas’ mission, vision and core values and have the capacity to lead the expansion and diversification of its programs. Acting as the bridge between strategy and execution, the Head of Programs will be responsible for overseeing the successful planning, resource mobilization and implementation of programs and associated projects. Success in this role will depend on subject-matter expertise (in sexual and reproductive health rights, especially safe abortion services and contraception), understanding of Pakistan’s public health system, a solid track record of program design, implementation and resource mobilization. The ability to represent Ipas’ mission positively and strong stakeholder management will be required for fulfilling the job requirements. The post-holder is expected to offer strong team building, management and leadership skills not only to lead a high performing program team but also to contribute proactively as a core member of the country node leadership team. The ideal candidate will be an effective leader who promotes innovation and continuous improvement.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 

Job Responsibility #1:    Leadership

• Serve as a member of node leadership team, ensuring Ipas Pakistan’s strategic decision-making benefits from insights from its program learning and requirements.
• Contribute proactively to ensuring a conducive work environment in line with Ipas’ core values.
• Promote inter-departmental coordination with Finance, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME), HR and Safety and Security functions.
• Take responsibility for acting in-charge of the country node during times of CD absence as and when assigned with a proactive approach to problem-solving and taking appropriate, responsible decisions.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between Ipas US, various Ipas business units, service nodes and the country node, keeping relevant staff abreast of relevant issues; keeping them informed of significant developments and issues, and engaging them to help problem-solve as needed.
• Be a part of the crisis management team of the country node.
• Travel as and when required with supervisor’s approval.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Director.

Job Responsibility #2:    Program Planning, Quality Assurance, Management, Learning and Reporting

• Lead the development and implementation of Ipas Pakistan’s Program Strategy in line with the INGO’s global strategic framework and responsive to local context requirements and opportunities in Pakistan.
• Conduct quality assurance of the technical components of projects to ensure accuracy of work outputs delivered by the team especially (but not exclusively) related to checking clinical trainings’ content and delivery, guiding content of policy formulation and standards and guidelines for safe PAC and PAFP, appropriateness of commodities and supplies and development and testing of training materials related to community engagement.   
• Conduct quality assurance of baseline assessments, site feasibility and progress reports, policy briefs, research and knowledge products.
• Direct timely and quality implementation of all projects ensuring compliance with Ipas’ quality of care standards, financial management and procurement policies as well as donor policies.
• Conducts field visits to guide program activities and address operational challenges.
• Promote evidence-informed learning and knowledge sharing among team about good practices and innovations as well as learning from failures.
• Ensure effective program management systems and processes are followed consistently by the program team to systematic progress tracking, risk management and proactive trouble-shooting.
• Oversee the timely and quality preparation of program and project reports for submission to donors and for internal review.
• Ensure close monitoring of the program work in the field for alignment with program workplans, monitor flow of information and systematic documentation of quantitative and qualitative achievements in the field and lessons learned.
• Develop annual operating budget and is responsible for spending as per annual operational plan (minimizing variance) using Ipas ERP software on a regular basis.
• Oversee the development and monitoring of project budgets and guide the team to adjust plans for on-time and on-budget project execution.
• Oversee award and sub-award management compliance with organizational policies and procedures and donor terms and conditions.
• Review and approve program concepts, partner financial requests as per organizational policy.

Job Responsibility #3:    Program Design and Resource Mobilization

• Lead the development and implementation of Ipas Pakistan’s fundraising strategy and plan to diversify its funding sources and increases its total revenue for expanding its programs. 
• Lead the business development cycle of increasingly complex, strategic, and competitive growth opportunities from proposal development to learning and marketing, to ensure quality proposals per funding partner or investor requirements.
• Lead high-quality project designs with innovative approaches that will advance scale-up of Ipas’ mission in Pakistan, incorporating project management standards and MEAL methods, appropriate to the scope and context.
• Working in partnership with the Country Director and Ipas business development leads, cultivate new and existing key donor relationships.

Job Responsibility #4:    Partnerships, Networking and Representation

• Represent Ipas at important external forums, conferences, meetings and other events including delivering presentations and position/research papers, joining panel discussions and general attendance.
• Lead the organization of Ipas’ program events as required.
• Initiate and nurture partnerships with key strategic alliances, technical working groups, academia and research institutes relevant to Ipas’ mission.
• Act as a focal point at Ipas for relevant government authorities, particularly the departments of health, population welfare, nursing and midwifery training institutions.
• Lead in establishing and maintaining local partnerships with community-based organizations and other stakeholder.
• Be responsive to incoming opportunities and requests for information from external stakeholders in consultation with the CD.
• Ensure supply of accurate and appropriate information and preparation of program related documentation required for external stakeholders, including but not limited to government authorities.
• Produce effective written reports and oral presentations on the program, including donor reports and program status reports, updating on risks and challenges facing the program, and articulating the program’s success in meeting deliverables.

Job Responsibility #5:    Team Management

• Provide effective management to build a high performing team with attention to achieving timely and quality results and team resilience. This includes ensuring appropriate job descriptions, goal-setting, work-planning, task delegation, staff training and development, holding regular check-in meetings, annual appraisals and providing performance feedback for improvement.
• Lead the recruitment and mentoring of new talent in line with the HR policies.
• Promote effective shared leadership with a focus on accountability for results, code of conduct, compliance with policies, while promoting continuous improvement and innovation.
• Build team capacity and promote learning of new technical concepts and approaches related to their functions.
• Foster teamwork and a conducive work environment within the program team.

Travel: 25-30%

Other

The role of the Head of Programs is not restricted to the above and s/he may be asked to perform other duties as directed by the CD. The scope of this role and part or whole of this job description can change at the sole discretion of the CD at any time.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

Required:

• Medical doctor (MBBS qualified)

Desired:

• Diploma or professional training certification in SRH (focusing on family planning and/or safe PAC.)
• Advanced medical degree such as MCPS or FCPS in gynecology
• Master’s or post-graduate qualification in public health

Skills and Experience

Required:

• At least 15 years of overall experience in the health sector.
• At least 08 years’ experience in managerial positions leading programs and teams.
• At least 07 years’ experience in a local or international organization specializing in reproductive healthcare.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing sexual and reproductive health programs in Pakistan.
• In-depth knowledge of latest clinical guidelines and technical approaches related to modern contraceptive methods and safe uterine evacuation techniques.
• Reliable understanding of the public health system in Pakistan and health policies and ability to create opportunities for increasing SRH as part of an enabling ecosystem.
• Technical expertise in steering the quality assurance of comprehensive SRH programs (especially family planning and ideally safe PAC services as well) to improve access to quality services, check knowledge products, MEAL data and policy briefs.
• Demonstrable strengths in strategic planning to promote SRH.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Urdu.
• Excellent documentation skills to prepare reports, presentations, position papers and research papers.
• Good understanding of the funding environment for SRH programs.
• Experienced in writing winning proposals for funding and guiding preparation of project budgets.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong personnel management skills to build high-performing teams.
• Proficient in the use of MS office and other software applications for project management.

Desired

• Clinical experience in providing family planning services and safe PAC services.
• Certified trainer for SRH capacity building of diverse cadres of healthcare providers.
• Strong capacity building skills and experienced in adult teaching methodologies.
• Published co-/author of research papers.
• Prior experience in developing policy briefs.
• Prior experience in providing technical assistance to government authorities in policy formulation.
• Fluent in a provincial language of Pakistan.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Experienced manager.
• Decisive Risk Management & Problem Solving
• Agility.
• Communication & Collaboration
• Critical Guidance and Conflict Management

Leadership and management skills; Strategic planning skills; Diplomacy, Self-starter who takes initiative; Adaptability, Acting with Discretion and Maintaining Confidentiality, Excellent problem-solving skills; Demonstrated ability to manage under stressful conditions, Team player, Vision and Leadership Mentoring, Collaboration, Political acumen, Stress Tolerance, Strong commitment to Gender Equity and Diversity, Demonstrating Respect and Integrity in conduct; Strong commitment to Ipas’ core values.

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity.  We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.