Program Delivery Specialist

The Program Delivery Specialist is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight, coordination and quality delivery of Legal Aid Society's entire program portfolio. This position leads a team of program managers across four program pillars and serves as the primary link between program operations, senior management and institutional donors. The role is expected to function as thought partner to the CEO on driving program strategy and act as primary deputy for program operations. It requires a combination of strategic foresight, hands-on program management, donor stewardship, team development and institutional systems strengthening. The position holder is expected to maintain CEO-level visibility of program results, proactively manage delivery risks and contribute to LAS's long-term growth strategy through business development, new project initiation and organizational learning.

1. Program Leadership and Portfolio Oversight

• Lead the strategic direction, planning, and delivery oversight of all active donor-funded programs across Gender, Access to Justice, Climate Resilience, FoRB, and other institutional initiatives.

• Maintain a live, data-driven portfolio tracker and ensure compliance with workplans, LFAs, and donor commitments.

• Chair Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs) and co-lead quarterly cross-functional reviews.

• Proactively identify and manage delivery risks and provide strategic updates to the CEO.

• Review and approve donor reports, narrative submissions, and program communications.

• Lead quarterly program management processes, including team meetings, performance reviews, and coordination forums.

2. Strategic Planning and Institutional Development

• Lead the development and annual review of departmental strategies, OKRs, and workplans aligned with organizational objectives.

• Translate organizational strategy into actionable program delivery frameworks.

• Institutionalize program management SOPs, ERP-linked project cycle management, reporting standards, and data governance practices.

• Identify gaps in program delivery systems and implement improvements.

• Contribute to organizational strategic planning, growth strategy discussions, and board-level reporting.

3. Business Development and Donor Engagement

• Lead the development and quality assurance of concept notes, proposals, LFAs, and project budgets.

• Build and maintain relationships with institutional donors and development partners.

• Monitor funding opportunities and coordinate organizational responses.

• Oversee proposal development processes and accountability frameworks.

• Develop program impact narratives, success stories, and evidence packages for fundraising and external engagement.

• Support corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives through programmatic inputs.

4. People Management and Team Development

• Supervise Program Managers, Associates, and relevant program staff.

• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and development discussions.

• Identify capacity-building needs and implement learning and mentoring initiatives.

• Lead recruitment processes, including JD development, assessments, and interviews.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

5. ERP, Systems, and Organizational Learning

• Ensure ERP compliance across all program teams and projects.

• Lead ERP data quality reviews and system compliance checks.

• Oversee the development of dashboards, BI tools, CMS platforms, and reporting systems.

• Establish and maintain organizational knowledge management systems.

• Promote data-driven decision-making and institutional learning practices.

6. Data Management and Technology

• Lead the integration of AI tools and automation into program management workflows.

• Utilize low-code/no-code solutions to improve operational efficiency.

• Analyze and interpret program data to generate actionable insights.

• Ensure data quality, integrity, and consistency across all systems and platforms.

• Promote innovation and technology-driven solutions within program operations.

7. Donor Compliance, Reporting, and Risk Management

• Manage the organization-wide donor reporting calendar and reporting processes.

• Review and approve progress reports, annual reports, evaluations, and donor submissions.

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, safeguarding standards, procurement requirements, and audit obligations.

• Maintain a risk register and implement risk mitigation measures.

• Coordinate with Finance, HR, Operations, and other departments on compliance-related matters.

8. Stakeholder and Partner Management

• Represent the organization in donor meetings, government engagements, and sector forums.

• Oversee implementation partner relationships, including due diligence, contracting, and performance monitoring.

• Build and maintain relationships with government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and development partners.

• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to ensure integrated program delivery.

9. Justice Hub Portfolio Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of the Justice Hub network and related initiatives.

• Lead Justice Hub planning, target setting, and operational forecasting.

• Ensure integration of Justice Hub activities into ERP, CRM, and organizational reporting systems.

• Oversee office setup, NOC processes, legal registration requirements, and operational compliance.

• Monitor CRM systems, intake management, mediation referrals, and court representation reporting across all hubs.

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Policy, Public Policy, Development Studies, Law, International Relations, or a related field.

• Professional certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or Monitoring & Evaluation will be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in program management and delivery, including at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.

• Demonstrated experience managing multi-donor institutional portfolios (EU, FCDO, UN Agencies, US Government, Bilateral Donors, etc.).

• Proven experience in business development, including concept note development, proposal writing, logical frameworks, budgeting, and donor engagement.

• Experience in access to justice, rule of law, gender, human rights, legal aid, or related sectors will be preferred.

• Experience working within Pakistan’s development sector, including engagement with provincial and federal government stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Strong program and project management skills, including project cycle management, logical framework design, results measurement, and workplan management.

• Excellent donor reporting and compliance management capabilities.

• Experience in proposal development, budget preparation, and business development processes.

• Proficiency in ERP systems, dashboards, data visualization tools, and Google Workspace.

• Strong understanding of AI tools, workflow automation, and technology integration.

• Experience in risk management, mitigation planning, and performance monitoring.

• Strong people management, coaching, and team development skills.

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of program management methodologies and donor compliance requirements.

• Familiarity with gender justice, access to justice, rule of law, child protection, climate resilience, and related development themes.

• Strong understanding of Pakistan’s legal, governance, civil society, and development landscape.

• Knowledge of organizational systems, including ERP, MIS, CRM, and data governance frameworks.

Values & Personal Attributes

• Strong commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and the rule of law.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate challenges and identify solutions proactively.

• Highly accountable, results-oriented, and self-driven.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on team development and mentorship.

• Resilient, adaptable, and capable of managing complex portfolios in a fast-paced environment.

What This Role Offers

• A senior leadership position with direct engagement and visibility across the organization.

• Opportunity to shape program strategy, systems, and institutional growth.

• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of donors, thematic areas, and geographic interventions.

• A platform to drive organizational learning, strengthen business development efforts, and mentor high-performing teams.

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate organizational vision into actionable program delivery.

• Strong program management and delivery oversight across multi-donor portfolios.

• High-level decision-making with sound judgment in complex and time-sensitive situations.

• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building across government, donors, and partners.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and use insights for program improvement.

• Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and briefs.

• Strong leadership and team management, including coaching, supervision, and performance accountability.

• Strong coordination skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and competing priorities.

• High attention to detail with strong quality assurance and compliance orientation.

• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining clarity, structure, and delivery focus.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.

EEO & Non-Discrimination Statement:

Integrated into our shared values is LAS's commitment to diversity and equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of sex, age, race, colour, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics or conduct protected by law. LAS is committed to being an inclusive organization where all people are treated fairly, recognized for their individuality, promoted based on performance and encouraged to strive to reach their full potential. We believe in understanding and respecting differences among all people. Every individual at LAS has an ongoing responsibility to respect and support a diverse environment.

Safeguarding & PSEA Commitment

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:

• Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
• Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of 18) irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child which shall not amount to a defense;
• Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance;
• Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics, undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.

Apply Now: https://www.las.org.pk/jobs/43/