Project Manager

** This is a short-term position to provide maternity cover**

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 the services of a seasoned Project Manager with a successful track record of project management in the reproductive health in general and family planning in particular. The ideal candidate will be passionate about Ipas' mission, vision and core values and have the capacity to lead excellent project execution, budget management, reporting, partner and stakeholder management. Success in this role will depend on attention to detail, determination to achieve project targets on time, taking initiative, a proactive approach to risk management and troubleshooting and strong communication skills. The position is responsible for leading the Post Medical Abortion Contraception (PMAC) research project.

Primary Responsibilities:

a) Project Delivery

• Update and lead project implementation plan and regularly monitor progress
• Coordinate with the internal project team players on a regular basis to ensure the quality, on-time and on-budget execution of the project activities
• Lead partners management and support in execution of PMAC project deliverables as per agreed scope of work in sub-award and consultancy agreements
• Ensure that all project deliverables are delivered on time, within the scope, timelines, and budget by internal and external team players
• Manage third-parties such as consultants for the timely delivery, reporting and adherence to compliance requirements in line with the specified scope of work
• Conduct field visits to assess on-site interventions (e.g. access points/pharmacies/private providers clinics/community level)
• Supervise the research and project team and provide overall management of staff and activities
• Check the compiled data sheet for coding and categorizing qualitative data into themes and sub-themes as per research objectives
• Ensure proper storage and organization of qualitative data, including, transcripts, and coded themes.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection guidelines as per Ipas guidelines
• Prepare summaries and reports based on the thematic analysis and desk review and present as and when required
• Organize Technical Advisory Group meetings as per project plan and document key take-aways for future reference and action
• Oversee technical team and guide in supportive supervision planning, execution with support of HSS team
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and proactively trouble shoot them
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including the third-party consultant for developing advocacy toolkit and other interventions as per project plan
• Work with RM&E team and document learnings from field and use the findings for course corrections
• Represent the project success and lessons learnt in external forums as assigned by the supervisor or the CD.
• Keep track of budget vs. expenditure analysis to timely address issues and take corrective action where required.
• Ensure project compliance with Ipas' financial management, procurement and other applicable policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Closely review financial reports provided by local implementing partners and consultants in line with agreed contracts and narrative progress reports and/or deliverables.

b) Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with Ipas' quality of care standards and high impact practices and coordinate with the Health Systems unit, TEX and others as required to provide technical support to the project activities where required.
• Develop mechanism and monitor compliance with research protocols, ethics, and regulations
• Undertake frequent field visits and perform spot checks on project activities for real-time implementation support.
• Document observations and action recommendations for improving project performance to achieve the intended outcomes.
• Ensure timely data collection and means of verification of project activities are uploaded in the Ipas database.
• Promote innovation and learning in the project activities.
• Facilitate an after-action review of the project interventions for continuous improvements
• Coordinate with the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) team for the effective evaluation of this project as per organsational requirements
• Conduct quality reviews of the project documents.

c) Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain an up-to-date record of the project documentation in line with the Ipas Record Retention Policy.
• Prepare and issue monthly, quarterly and final project reports to management.
• Prepare need-based reports and presentations for external stakeholders and government authorities, subject to prior review and approval of the supervisor and CD before submission.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of research and program data to management.
• Coordinate closely with Finance and Admin team to ensure project activities and record-keeping complies with audit requirements.

d) Travel: 25% travel would be required

e) Other

The role of the Project Manager is not restricted to the above and s/he may be asked to perform other duties as directed by supervisor and CD.

Requirements

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in medicine, public health, Doctor of Pharmacy, social sciences, development studies, or in project management

Desired:

• Masters' or post-graduate qualification in a related field
• Professional training certification in Family planning and PAC and service delivery standards.  
• Diploma or professional training certification Project Management (e.g. Prince2 or PMI, etc.) is desirable.

Skills and Experience

Required:

• At least 8 years of overall experience in Project Management or implementation
• Outstanding project management skills demonstrated through strong management experience in donor-funded initiatives
• Previous experience in SRH/FP, grant management and reporting.
• Experience of managing SRH/FP research projects is desirable
• Skilled in using project management tools
• Excellent data analysis and information management skills
• Quantitative and qualitative report writing skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Budget monitoring experience
• Strong understanding of working in partnership with other organisations
• External representation skills
• Ability to coordinate with team
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and creatively in a multicultural context
•  Strong communication skills
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure

Desired

• Prior experience of working in programmes to address FP services gaps at pharmacy and private provider level  
• Subject-matter expertise in SRH/FP/PAC
• A strong understanding of the Pakistani health care system; must have strong contacts in the Pakistan maternal/newborn health sector
• Experience of leading FP research projects in public and/or private sectors
• In-depth understanding of the
• Good facilitation skills
• Familiarity with FP standards, High Impact Practices
• Developing and tracking log frame results

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.