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Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.

NPI EXPAND Overview:

The New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Expanding Health Partnerships—NPI EXPAND Project—is a global five-year (2019-2024) U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that supports locally-driven efforts to increase the availability and utilization of high-quality health and education services. In line with USAID's Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) framework, NPI EXPAND invests in new and underutilized local partners (NUPs)[1] and strengthens their capacity to strategize, plan, and implement programs with USAID funds. Enhanced participation of capable local organizations to increase demand for and to deliver high-quality, high impact services will enable governments to meet crucial goals equitably and sustainably. NPI EXPAND will also catalyze opportunities to scale up innovative interventions by strengthening the capacity of NUPs with varying levels of capabilities and exposure to USAID.

NPI EXPAND in Pakistan:

In Pakistan, NPI EXPAND will implement USAID Pakistan's Human Development Activity (HDA) to advance development, education, and health aims in the border areas with Afghanistan. Pressing issues in these areas include low access to and use of high-quality education and health services, limited qualified personnel, equipment and supply shortages, security-related restrictions, and gender inequity. Through HDA, NPI EXPAND will support creative, locally driven solutions to improve education and health in the border areas. The primary beneficiaries include the most disadvantaged women, girls, children, and newborns living in these areas. The project will provide grants and tailored assistance to local organizations in line with the following results:

  • Result 1: Organizational sustainability of new and underutilized local entities or locally established partners strengthened
  • Result 2: Utilization of high-quality, high impact basic education and health services, information, and supplies expanded
  • Result 3: Promising and innovative education and health approaches scaled up through new and underutilized partnerships for increased sustainability.

Specific approaches for enhancing service access:

  • Increased access (increased enrolment and retention) to education through face-to-face and distance learning programs using blended technologies and engaging the private sector
  • Strengthened institutional capacity to sustain Non-Formal Education and Accelerated Learning Program operations to provide education to out-of-school children, particularly girls and those who have missed certain years of education
  • Increased access to basic health services for the most disadvantaged populations through innovative technology solutions, like telemedicine, and leveraging the entrepreneurial private health care sector
  • Reduced barriers and stigma for the most disadvantaged populations to access essential health services

Specific approaches for enhancing service quality:

  • Improved pedagogical approaches and quality of content used for distance learning, with a particular focus on making it interactive and engaging through blended off-line and on-line methods
  • Improved child and teacher well-being and school safety in the context of COVID-19
  • Improved classroom learning environments of targeted schools through teacher training and the utilization of high-quality teaching materials to improving learning outcomes of students
  • Strengthened capacity in both the public and private healthcare sectors to provide essential health services to the most disadvantaged populations
  • Improved quality of healthcare services provided to the most disadvantaged populations

Position Description:

The NPI EXPAND Pakistan Country Team Lead (CTL) will be responsible for overseeing all in-country activities and operations for the project. (S)he will be based in an office in Islamabad providing direct supervision to the Education Program Manager, Health Program Manager, Finance and Operations Manager, and the Grants and Administration Coordinator.  Additional staff members may be added. (S)he will report to the Field Support Director based in Washington, D.C., while also receiving guidance from the Project Director, HQ-based country manager, MEL Director, Capacity Development Director, and service delivery specialists.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Country Team Lead will be expected to:

  • Provide technical guidance to all in-country activities under the NPI EXPAND project
  • Provide oversight of the identified grantees supported by the project to ensure effective implementation of project activities and adherence to the conditions of their NPI EXPAND subaward
  • Prepare annual work plans and ensure implementation of same in collaboration with the Field Support Director, HQ management and technical staff, the Capacity Development Director, and the Project Director
  • Liaise with USAID Pakistan as needed
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports for Palladium HQ office and USAID
  • Oversee and verify achievements and deliverables of any entity or person contracted or receiving an award under HDA/NPI EXPAND
  • Organize logistical support and schedules for staff and consultants providing short term technical assistance (STTA) to the program
  • Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial reports in coordination with the Finance and Operations Manager
  • Identify, support and track cost share, submitting cost share reports and all supporting documentation on a monthly basis
  • Maintain all activity documentation (documents, emails, workplans and drafts) in appropriate location for spot checks and audits
  • Ensure compliance and consistent implementation with USAID rules and regulations, established project and Palladium policies, procedures and technical guidance in collaboration with HQ’s Project Delivery team
  • Review all technical deliverables to ensure quality
  • Review and approve relevant financial requests and reports as required including but not limited to: vendor payments, field vouchers and Funds Transfer Requests (FTRs)
  • Provide oversight and support the adherence to strong internal financial controls
  • Ensure good staff management and supervision practices including on-boarding, performance appraisal and development
  • Perform regular check-ins with direct reports to promote quality performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching (if required)
  • Contribute to training needs assessment of the team, developing and implementing performance improvement plans and on-the-job-training where appropriate
  • Escalate any performance issues to HQ
  • Other duties as assigned.

Period and Location of Performance:

The position is through the end of September 2024. Location for this engagement is Islamabad with travel in-country as security and other conditions permit. Only local applicants (Pakistani nationals) currently eligible to work in Pakistan will be considered. Some international travel may be required to support other NPI EXPAND activities, attend meetings or participate in conferences or workshops.

Qualifications and Experience: 

  • Extensive experience in project management required; preference for USAID-funded projects
  • Strong experience supervising project staff
  • Bachelor’s degree in education, public health, international development, international relations, or related field, with a Master’s degree or higher qualification preferred
  • Strong experience working in education and/or health (especially family planning/reproductive health and/or maternal and child health) preferred
  • Strong experience with the Pakistani education and/or health systems preferred
  • Strong experience working with the civil society sector (NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, non-profits, private sector) preferred
  • Experience working or managing work in the border regions with Afghanistan preferred
  • Excellent process facilitation skills
  • Excellent communication skills, including report writing abilities
  • Experience representing a project and/or organization with government officials, donors, and other key stakeholders preferred
  • Experience in leading participatory exercises and group processes
  • Fluency in speaking and writing in English
  • Pakistani nationality or possess authorization to work in Pakistan
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.