CARE began its operations in Pakistan, as a multi-mandate organization, working for both longer-term development opportunities as well as supporting the most vulnerable communities in times of humanitarian crises. Since its establishment, CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) has worked across all parts of the country- from the hardest to reach areas to urban metropolises. CARE engages with private sector partners, government, and local communities to promote women’s economic empowerment with a particular focus on entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion, strengthening inclusive value chains, and increasing employability skills. Our approach goes beyond a singular focus on income generation to holistically promoting empowerment by focusing on strengthening women and girls’ education, confidence, negotiation skills and fostering an enabling environment that is free from gender based violence (GBV) in the world of work (especially sexual harassment and other gender biases).

I. Job Summary

In light of the entrepreneurial milieu in Pakistan, CARE’s Ignite project in Pakistan unleashes the power of growth-oriented entrepreneurs, contributing to a resilient and inclusive economy. It also supports the Government’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy for enhanced formal financial access and the vision of the Government to encourage growth of entrepreneurs. By partnering with local financial and non-financial service providers, Ignite opens up much-needed access to finance, technology, and networks and builds entrepreneurship capacity and skills. As Project Manager, the Entrepreneurship Development Officer will lead the strivers’ capacity building and business strengthening component of the project.

II. Job Description                                                    

• Lead project implementation and activity completion, timely collaboration with Partners, vendors and various internal stakeholders; ensuring end-to-end implementation and deployment of project components (financial services, wrap-around services & outreach campaign) for entrepreneurs.
• Spearhead strategy development and utilize managerial tools and frameworks to improve the ability of the team to successfully and sustainably achieve project goals.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to team: hiring, setting and tracking objectives, obtaining resources, overseeing task completion; and reporting progress, accomplishments and hurdles for successful implementation of the project.
• Oversee and manage project’s budget and performance to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of funds.
• Facilitate the development of the project’s evolving theory of change, oversee the implementation of the work plan, and track progress towards core indicators and learning objectives.
• Work with partners for design, development and help implement financial inclusion focused interventions.
• Identify initiatives that can be utilized/adapted for the capacity building of entrepreneurs in the Pakistani context and propose general recommendations and directions for the partners 
• Create and maintain collegial, productive relationships with other stakeholders while achieving the overall component goals and objectives
• Coordinate impact assessment initiatives to assess project performance and identify areas for future programming
• Oversee analysis of the collected data, and address emerging questions, deriving insights that are relevant to market development of the financial products.
• Anticipate, define and help capture opportunities for CARE to drive financial inclusion focused solutions.
• Cultivate relationships with local incubators, accelerators, investors, entrepreneurs, and possible mentors to develop in-depth understanding and expertise of the entrepreneurial landscape of digital finance related businesses.
• Ensure that women economic empowerment is a crosscutting theme in the project lifecycle.
• Maintain updated technical knowledge of developments in areas relevant to the digital financial services platforms. Be able to communicate this information to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, mainly the strivers.
• Work closely with the M&E team, technical advisers and other staff to develop tools and systems for knowledge management that support program quality and learning; coordinate the preparation and publication of periodic papers that highlight the experience and learning in these areas.
• Engage with communications team to design and disseminate communications material e.g. videos, case studies, print material etc
• Internal and external stakeholder management to ensure collaborative approach towards achievement of project goals
• Focus on project completion activities, close-out event and CARE & project visibility
• Engage with donors and key stakeholders to identify avenues for expansion of the project

Perform other duties:

• The duties and responsibilities described above are subject to change, depending on organizational needs.
• Safety and Security is everyone’s responsibility within CI through full compliance and accountability (as per Principle of the CARE International Safety & Security Principles).

III. Job Specifications

A. Education:

• Masters/Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Banking, Finance, Economics, International Development, or comparable academic qualification.

• 8-10 years of work experience in a financial services/ entrepreneurial ecosystem, MSME financing and providing business advisory services in a development context.
• Experience with financial services and prior experience developing financial projects and service development with a range of industry stakeholders.
• Experience or familiarity with international donor agencies promoting financial inclusion will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge in the following thematic areas: microfinance products and services (loans, mobile wallet accounts etc.), microfinance, access to finance, entrepreneurial ecosystems and business advisory services.
• Subject matter expert in financial inclusion, especially in fin-tech, payment systems, and innovative delivery models.
• Proven understanding of digital financial solutions and digital tools.
• Ability to interface with and manage stakeholders at senior level.

• Project management skills (e.g. high level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines).
• Passionate about entrepreneurship and market-based solutions to enhance financial inclusion especially for women.

• Project management and representation. Strong coordination skills with the ability to manage information including report writing and presentations.
• Technical writing and information analysis.
• Strong management and communication skills: must be able to provide clear direction and feedback to team; must be able to establish realistic objectives, know how to measure for them and set/corrective course as needed.
• Strong stakeholder management and engagement skills
• Strong research, analysis, and presentation skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Pro-active attitude with a proven ability to engage with multiple teams.

IV.  DUTY STATION AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED

• The individual will be based in Islamabad, with travel as and when required to project locations.

CARE International in Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. CARE has a zero-tolerance approach toward sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse.

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 expectation along with the CV.