Registered Users
1,883,015
Posted Jobs
103,801

Post Title:

Provincial Coordinator

Division:

LEAD Programme

Duty Station:

Karachi, Sindh

Duration:

One-year contract and extendable

Date Posted:

29 November 2019

Closing Date

06 December 2019


Background


United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) is the largest regional section of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), an amalgamation of International Union of Local Authorities (IULA), United Towns Organisation (UTO), and World Association of the Major Metropolises (METROPOLIS) set up in Ghent (Belgium) in 1913, in Aix-les-Bains (France) in 1957 and in Paris (France) in 1985, respectively.  UCLG was established on 1 January 2004 and is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. Following this unification, UCLG ASPAC was established in Taipei on 14 April 2004, as the new entity of IULA ASPAC. UCLG ASPAC’s Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

UCLG is a worldwide association of local governments and the officially recognised voice of local governments by the United Nations. UCLG ASPAC has linkages to more than 7,000 cities and local governments. It represents well over 3.76 billion people - more than half of the world population - and incorporates economically fast developing countries such as China, India, and Indonesia.                              

UCLG ASPAC is the key knowledge management hub on local government issues in the Asia-Pacific region. It promotes democratic local government, supports cooperation between cities, local governments and their associations, and facilitates programmes, network and partnerships to develop the capacity of local governments and the associations. Moreover, UCLG ASPAC represents local governments politically within the international community, and with the United Nations and its agencies. It also promotes inclusive societies which safeguard equality, social and economic justice, and sustainable community development. UCLG ASPAC is engaged in all relevant thematic fields for nurturing sustainable development comprising poverty alleviation, climate change, disaster resiliency, culture, strategic planning, decentralisation, local finance, gender equality, women leadership and empowerment as well as good governance.

UCLG ASPAC in cooperation with the European Union is implementing the SDGs Programme entitled "Local Empowerment, Advocacy and Development for SDGs Localisation (LEAD Programme)" at the provincial and districts level in Pakistan, mainly in Balochistan and Sindh Provinces. This project is under the European Union (EU) Project (CSO-LA/2018/396-784) and aims to contribute to the achievement of SDGs in Pakistan by fostering an enabling environment for mainstreaming SDGs in local development processes through effective leadership and policy advocacy, supported by evidence-based research, capacity building and improved coordination, and piloting innovative approaches for SDGs localisation.

UCLG ASPAC is currently calling for applications from qualified candidates to fill in the post of a Provincial Coordinator for LEAD Programme based in Karachi, Sindh. The post assigned is to support the implementation of LEAD Programme in Sindh Province.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Team Leader based in Islamabad, the Provincial Coordinator will be handling the day-to-day activities of LEAD Programme implemented at the provincial level. S/he will work closely with the member of UCLG ASPAC and key partner of LEAD, the Local Council Associations of Sindh (LCAS), Local Governments and key strategic partners. The role requires close liaison with the key provincial line departments responsible for localisation of SDGs which includes but not limited to Departments of Planning, Development and Local Government & Rural Development. The position shall also closely work with SDGs Taskforces and Provincial SDGs Units. S/he will coordinate with relevant stakeholders and support the SDGs dialogue at the Provincial level. The position shall work alongside the core team at Islamabad to coordinate day-to-day activities; ensure the project is implemented according to agreed objectives, targets and timeline. S/he will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting of the project, managing the project activities and maintaining a good relationship with key stakeholders. This position shall supervise a medium-sized team of 6-8 personnel, including the consultants.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management

  • Ensure smooth operation of the LEAD programme activities in the Province, including timely narrative reporting to the line manager.
  • Submit an internal monthly report on progress of the project and other reports as necessary.
  • With support from the Advocacy team, organise advocacy meetings/conferences and ensure that workshops and other events are well consolidated, organised and coordinated.
  • In-consultation with the Team Leader, develop project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
  • Manage day-to-day operational aspects of the project and scope.
  • Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and allied organisations pertaining to project activities.
  • Provide mentoring, coaching and guidance to the project team.
  • Provide documentation as detailed by reporting protocols and individual project contract requirements.
  • Prepare qualitative and quantitative progress reports on periodical basis.
  • Ensure that documentation and other project information is correctly entered into the appropriate spreadsheet or database.
  • Conduct regular coordination meetings with the field team(s) for progress updates.
  • Keep track of lessons learned and share it with the management.
  • Represent the programme at external meetings and other coordination meetings as necessary.
  • Facilitate monthly field operation meetings and preparation of meeting minutes.
  • Foster a positive, productive and professional work environment and professional relationships amongst staff; facilitate productive working relationships with the Head office.

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Develop all kind of formats for reporting and monitoring in consultation with the M&E Manager.
  • Make periodic/monthly monitoring visits to the field and target areas to ensure smooth and timely implementation of the project activities and to provide technical assistance and troubleshoot along with staff.
  • Ensure all reports from the field sites are received and submitted on time to M&E Focal Person, as needed.
  • Help to evaluate projects as per the agreed tool planned in the work plans/utilise the results for improvement in the project and future projects of the same nature. 
  • Facilitate in conducting mid-term and end-term evaluations.

Financial Management

  • Adhere to the Organisation’s policies/procedures including finance, human resources, security, procurement and logistics, and ensure staff compliance.
  • Prepare monthly forecasts and quarterly cost based workplans and manage finances in accountable and transparent manners.
  • Reconcile the financial and petty cash expense on the monthly basis and prepare the financial reports.
  • Manage the financial records and make it available for monitoring and audit purposes

Compliance to Administrative and HR Policies

  • Participate in professional development activities, as needed or assigned.
  • Provide efficient supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated team.
  • Ensure the proper implementation of Organisation’s performance management process for direct reports, including job description development, regular feedback, mid-term reviews, annual performance appraisals and staff training and development.
  • Oversee the recruitment and orientation of local project staff.
  • Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Working Conditions & Travel:

The position is based in Karachi with regular travel to field sites and partly travel to UCLG ASPAC/LEAD Programme Office at Islamabad. Each candidate needs to show his/her willingness to travel to remote parts of the Province.

Person Specification:

Education and Experience:

  • Master’s Degree from Higher Education Commission recognised university in the field of development, planning, and/or social sciences. Candidates with legal background and degree in rural development will be given preference.

Experience, Skills & Competencies:

  • At least, 7 years of past experience at the managerial level with proven record of effective programme management in a reputable national or international organisation.
  •  The candidates with strong past experiences on Local Governance, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Rural Development shall be given preference.
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft office (word, excel, outlook express, internet, power point) and preferably project management software.
  • Proven experience of managing medium-sized teams.
  • Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills in Urdu and English. Knowledge of local languages , Sindhi shall be an asset.
  • Ability to translate data from local language to English or Urdu
  • Experience of planning, organising and delegating work.
  • Time management skills and qualitative report writing experience.
  • Experience of working in communities and building collaborative relationships.
  • Ability to work in stressful conditions and remote geographical areas.
  • Having organisational commitment, personal integrity, ability to work with diverse groups of people and respect for others.