AKHS, P is looking for a seasoned and dynamic public health professional to become part of its Programs Unit to lead an important three-year Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Project funded by Global Affairs of Canada through UNFPA which will be implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (Upper and Lower Chitral districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) and Sujawal in Sindh Province.

The Program Manager will lead the design and implementation of the project. S/he will ensure that capacity is built across the health systems in identified program areas in SRHR. S/he will be responsible for overall project and grant management for assigned health projects including donor and partner communications. S/he will offer and source technical support to programs specifically in the field of sexual and reproductive health and family planning to ensure that these are evidence-based, integrated within the healthcare system, contributing to the Government’s priorities in health, and the overall development of the populations which AKHS, P serves.

A key strategy that the Manager will support implementation of associate degree in midwifery and oversee relates to building a successful social franchising model, including quality assurance and capacity building as well as a sustainable financial model, for independent community midwives as a key strategy for increasing access of remote populations to skilled birth attendance and overall sexual and reproductive health services throughout program areas.

As part of his/her role, the Manager will coordinate closely with Finance, Operations and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning functions of the organization to ensure timely and quality implementation of the program, including programmatic, reporting, and financial deliverables. S/he will also be responsible for contributing to, the development of proposals for funding and support.

Detailed Position Responsibilities:

• To provide overall technical guidance to field teams and ensure that programs are evidence-based, and designed and implemented to meet project objectives
• To coordinate with the regional heads for the smooth implementation of the program
• To ensure that field teams are achieving project targets (both programmatic and financial) according to detail implementation plans
• To coordinate with support departments and with regular programs for achieving project targets
• To complement the effort of program department for designing new initiatives
• Knowledge management, report writing on semi and annual report
• Lead role to develop and finalize annual work plans and to ensure implementation of project deliverables
• Communication and regular travel to AKHS, P program sites of relevance (including Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Chitral)
• Coordination & conduct meetings with the stakeholders
• Participation in continuing professional education sessions/seminars/trainings 

Program development, planning Improving quality of health services and capacity building under assigned areas (20%)

• RMNCH (reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health) including EmONC services & SRHR
• Develop annual work planning for sexual & reproductive health funded project
• Harness human, material and financial resources appropriate for the program to ensure successful implementation of sextual & reproductive health program funded project.
• Plan, supervise and monitor quality assurance of targeted facilities in GBC & Sindh.
• Provide secretariat and manage Infection prevention and control committee (IPCC) at selected districts.
• Oversight, capacity building and mentorship of staff from sextual & reproductive health program and research project(s).
• Take ownership of any other specific tasks assigned by line manager.

Support health system strengthening efforts as technical and thematic lead for RMNCH and SRH (20%)

• Identify health system gaps in AKHS, P geographies and serve as a thematic lead towards fulfilling gaps in RMNCH and SRHR.
• Develop MNCH strategy with continuum of care from primary care to secondary care facilities hub & spoke model.
• Leading the RMNCAH, SRHR thematic area through technical advice, coordination (AKF, Government, and other partners).

Program management, monitoring, and delivery of results (40%)

1. Program management and planning

• Develop yearly plans with detailed programmatic implementation plans and budgets, responsibilities, and timelines (last quarter of programmatic year).
• Providing technical design inputs, procurement requirements, SOPs, guidelines and KPIs/Indicators    that need to be used for effective implementation.
• Ensure all necessary approvals for above are obtained on time.
• Track progress on deliverables on a regular basis and provide support for troubleshooting and ensuring achievements and organize regular progress review meetings.
• Ensure continuous monitoring of program activities, as well as timely and accurate evaluation and reporting of progress toward the achievement of program goals and objectives
• Develop program risk mitigation plans for smooth implementation of program, identifying delays or challenges

 2. Program implementation

      Ensuring monitoring of programmatic and budget activities for each year such that:

• All monthly, quarterly, and annual programmatic targets and deliverables of the program are met including procurement items
• Ensure an annual spending rate of more than 90% is achieved through effective grant management
• Coordinating with Regional Heads and supporting Regional Project Managers to ensure that on ground implementation is aligned with approved annual workplan
• Ensure progress reports are submitted on time and are of high quality

3. Program development

• Develop quarterly technical report and review financial forms of AKF/UNFPA funded project and submit it to AKF/UNFPA on timely manners.
• Develop program implementation plans to ensure effective technical assistance and smooth implementation of activities.
• Track progress on deliverables on a regular basis and provide support for troubleshooting and ensuring achievements and organize regular progress review meetings.
• Ensure continuous monitoring of program activities, as well as timely and accurate evaluation and reporting of progress toward the achievement of program goals and objectives
• Develop program risk mitigation plans for smooth implementation of program, identifying delays or challenges

4. Stakeholder management, communication, and coordination (10%)

• Ensure effective management of all internal and external stakeholders and maintain healthy working relationships including within AKHS, P, AKF, AKU & donors.
• Ensure ownership of program results through timely submission of deliverables to all relevant    stakeholders          
• Develop high quality reports and presentations according to stakeholder requirements.
• Represent AKHS, P in internal and external meetings as and when required.

5. Advocacy, Networking and Partnership Building (10 %)

• Contribute to writing technical briefs/reports relevant to program such as briefs on SRHR, RMNCAH and family planning integration, training information management system, any application, Infection prevention and control committee etc.
• Draft and finalize program donor reports including quarterly, annual reports and success stories
• Communicate regularly on progress with Head of Program and report challenges for immediate problem solving
• Manage and work collaboratively with team members to ensure necessary program planning, development, resource availability, and that management activities function smoothly and efficiently.

Qualifications and experience requirements:

• MBBS/BSM/BSN degree and the master’s in public health or related field
• At least 7 years’ experience of project / program management experience in the public health sphere – experience in managing sexual and reproductive health and family planning projects is a requirement.
• A dynamic person with strong programmatic skills.
• Must have excellent knowledge of primary and secondary health care, administration skills, financial management skills, computer skills, project management skills, analytical, and communication skills.
•  Proficiency in English and Urdu.

AKHS is committed to reducing our impact on climate and the environment and have set ourselves the goal of striving for net-zero carbon operations by 2030. All staff are expected to take part in making this a reality. The Program Manager, Sexual and Reproductive Health accompanied with his/her Line Manager is also expected to identify and understand which aspects of his/her work have most impact on the environment, and define tasks, work, and personal goals within his/her work plan to reduce these impacts and bring AKHS closer to net zero.