Program Officer

Posted date

21st November, 2025

Last date to apply

1st December, 2025

Category

Program Management

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION

(Pakistan)

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

AKF(P) is seeking a high calibre professional for the position of Programme Officer- Art of Parenting Project reporting to the Advisor, Art of Parenting Health. This will be Islamabad-based position with frequent travel to the project areas.

Background:

Sehat Ka Safar (SKS) is a transformative, multi-sectoral initiative advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), family planning (FP), and gender equality across underserved districts in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh in collaboration with the UNFPA, the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP) and implemented in partnership with AKDN institutions and provincial health authorities.

The Art of Parenting Initiative (API) is a national level collaborative partnership of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP), Aga Khan University (AKU), National Institute of Psychology (NIP) Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and many other stakeholders.

The initiative comprises of two components:

• AGHOSH – targeting parenting for children aged 0–9 years
• PARVARISH – focusing on parenting for adolescents aged 9–19 years

These manuals are designed to empower parents with essential knowledge and practical skills, supporting the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of children and adolescents. The implementation model involves Government Provincial and District level stakeholders to train local resource persons and to facilitate them working with parents to promote positive parenting practices essential to children's wellbeing.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme officer will be based in Islamabad office and work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside Advisor Health, Director Communication, Grants and Finance, and Administration Departments, coordinating the implementation of the Art of Parenting Initiative (API) project.

1. Purpose of the Position

The position is responsible for coordinating and supporting the implementation of project activities in alignment with the approved work plan and budget. The incumbent will ensure effective coordination with government stakeholders, district and provincial authorities, and other partners to achieve project deliverables within agreed timelines. The role involves facilitation of meetings, training, reporting, and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth execution of project interventions.

2. Key Responsibilities

Planning and Coordination

• Assist in preparing quarterly work plans aligned with the approved budget, deliverables, and timelines.
• Coordinate meetings with stakeholders, ensuring participation of key government officials by arranging venues, logistics, preparing agendas, and documenting meeting notes with actionable follow-ups.
• Coordinate preparations and organization of training for District-based Field Resource Persons in collaboration with provincial and district authorities, including participant nominations.
• Liaise with the AKF(P) Administration team to facilitate logistics for training, including venue arrangements, catering, preparation of training and advocacy materials, and travel/accommodation for faculty.

Training and Reporting

• Liaise with training faculty to prepare training reports according to the standard template.
• Coordinate with the Administration and Finance teams to ensure timely preparation and submission of expenditure statements, including justifications and supporting documentation in compliance with financial and procurement procedures.

Monitoring, Documentation, and Communication

• Coordinate follow-up with stakeholders during cascade training sessions for parents, ensuring adherence to timelines and consolidation of progress reports.
• Assist in the preparation of high-quality progress reports with evidence-based data, in accordance with donor reporting requirements.
• Support media engagement and identify appropriate channels for virtual dissemination of API concepts and key messages.

3. Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree in public administration, Education, Health, or Project Management from a recognized university.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience working with public and private sectors, preferably on donor-funded projects.
• Proven experience in project planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring.
• Experience in Parenting of Children and Adolescents projects, with active engagement of community members, teachers, and health care providers.
• Familiarity with thematic areas of Early Childhood Development (ECD), Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE), and psychosocial support in Adolescent Programming will be considered important advantages.

4. Core Competencies

• Strong coordination skills, particularly in engaging provincial and district government stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively and diplomatically with internal and external partners.
• Sound understanding of project management principles, including finance, administration, information management, and monitoring.
• Proficiency in MS Office and related software tools.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to work flexibly and effectively under challenging and high-pressure conditions.
• Familiarity with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its programming approach will be an added advantage.

AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. AKF(P) recruitment and selection policy and procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and the safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(P)'s Safeguarding policy.

The deadline for applications is December 01, 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

For more information about AKDN, please visit