CARE is a leading global humanitarian and development organization. Since its establishment in 2005, CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) has been responding to major disasters and undertaking an array of development projects. CIP works through its local partners and a range of stakeholders for development, as well as emergency response related interventions, which makes collaboration a key component of its work, across the country. Health and nutrition, shelter, women economic justice (WEJ), education, food security and livelihood with particular focus on women, are some of CARE's core identified program areas in Pakistan, as part of its Long-Range Strategic Plan.

CIP is currently seeking a Project Officer for Lahore, Pakistan to lead a two-year project focused on empowering home chefs and fostering women's economic growth. This initiative aims to support women entrepreneurs who aspire to launch and expand their culinary businesses in the comfort of their homes. The Project Officer will be the key focal point for both internal and external coordination, engaging with relevant stakeholders/institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the project and oversee the trainings and other aspects of the project. The overall role of the Project Officer is to lead and efficiently implement the assigned project. The Project Officer will report to the Assistant Country Director - Programs. The role has donor representation, budget management and line management responsibility. S/he will lead on project reports (narrative and financial) as well as MEAL data, in a timely manner and with support from project team. S/he will prepare and oversee project implementation to ensure timely delivery of agreed activities, ensuring project has updated detailed implementation plans, spending plan, recruitment plan, communications plan, procurement plan, and MEAL plan. The Project Officer will ensure that CARE's work is coordinated with efforts of other actors including relevant Government line departments, implementing consortium partners, donors and take a leadership role within Interagency Coordination forums.

This position is based in Lahore with frequent visit to field locations.

Project Management and Implementation (35% of the time)

• Contextual experience; manage and support project team throughout project cycle.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities and community stakeholders to oversee/advise partners to obtain the necessary permission and community-buy in for the project; ensure project beneficiaries are selected according to contextual needs, CARE guidelines and under guidance of local government authorities and donor requirements.
• Plan and supervise day to day implementation of the project activities in alignment with project proposal.
• Adhere to proposal requirements beyond planned activities including reporting and monitoring; coordinate with the MEAL team for the execution of the MEAL plan arranging site visits/meetings preparation baseline/end line surveys capacity assessments, studies etc.
• Coordinate with CARE's Logistics/procurement and project donor to ensure timely procurement of the required goods and services (for CARE and its partners).
• Develop and regularly update the project expenditure plan cash need projections and oversee budget utilization. Contribute to the preparation of monthly phased expenditure plan.
• Monthly review Budget vs actual and provide written feedback to finance team. In addition, proactively identify underspending and prepare revised plan for internal and donor approvals. Ensure no over/ under spending of project budget
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender and child protection principles throughout the project.
• Liaise with stakeholders and partners not already mentioned as relevant to ensure coordination and transparency in planning and executing project activities.
• Provide professional technical leadership in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the needs of the target groups.
• Provide technical write up for any up-coming funding opportunity related to her/his area of expertise to contribute towards achievement of CARE Pakistan program strategy.
• Develop yearly project plan based on the project log frame and proposal provide guidance to the project team in implementing the plans and make close supervision of their performances.
• Make sure all project interventions are accomplished develop and implemented in time.
• Ensure timely procurement of project inputs, learning supplies in close collaboration with Logistic and procurement department by ensuring donor and CARE compliances.
• Coordinate and support the project team and implementing partner for their effective contribution in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning processes.
• Implement any other relevant task requested by the line manager as necessary for project success

Reporting and Coordination (25% of the time)

• Prepare timely transparent honest and accurate reports according to the requirements of the donor and internal deadlines; reflecting all project progress challenges lessons learned and other relevant details withholding information pertinent to the project for any reason.
• Provide regular update on project implementation in particular through updated and accurate weekly or monthly reports as required by CARE -an accurate and up-to-date project database and share updates in weekly/monthly SLT/All staff meetings.
• Prepare reports according to government requirements and requirements of the donor.
• Attend coordination meetings to report on any project challenges to Coordination as requested; pro-actively raise foreseen issues challenges and delays to line manager and Country Director in advance to maximize risk mitigation.
• Support the Finance Department in maintaining an accurate Budget Follow-Up.

Resource Mobilization (15% of the time)

• Contribute and provide insights into fundraising efforts by Business development unit,
• Regularly coordinate with donors and conduct monthly and quarterly meetings with the donors for project updates, challenges, solutions and support required
• Regularly coordinate with consortium partners, visit partner office and project site on monthly basis (additional visits as essential).
• Grow portfolio by developing strategic relationship with key donors and support Business Development team for new funding
• Proactively identify new funding opportunities · Support in new program designing and technical write ups
• Represent CARE with donors and position for new funding opportunities
• Write technical portion of new proposal in close coordination with Business Development Manager

Team Management (20% of the time)

• Supervise project team, training staff, develop their capacity through trainings, mentorship and guidance
• Ensure project staff are familiar with CARE's policies and procedures and project objectives indicators and requirements and are able to conduct work on a day-to-day basis in line with these requirements.
• Develop the capacity of the project team deepen their understanding of their roles and assist with career development. Plan induction and technical trainings as well as refresher trainings.
• Ensure staff/ technical specialists have proper weekly monthly quarterly and annual plan for project implementation.
• Promote accountability communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on one and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Participate actively in weekly SLT meetings, workshops, seminars, and conferences

CARE participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from the candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Note: Individuals can apply using Brightspyre or send their resumes directly to [email protected] clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of the email, before the stated deadline. Please share your current as well as salary expectations along with the CV.