Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online Application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

BHC Islamabad has an exciting opportunity for a qualified and experienced Programme Manager to deliver the ISF funded £2mn blended ODA & non-ODA programme focused on enhancing cooperation to tackle serious and organised crime including irregular migration, criminal record sharing, illicit Finance, and countering firearms. 

The role will start immediately and is open to all eligible candidates who have the relevant experience and can demonstrate the required skill sets.

This HEO Programme Manager role sits within the ‘Goal 2 – Migration and Safer Streets’ pillar, part of a three-strong team delivering CSCP and a wider programme team delivering associated programming as part of a coordinated and integrated approach across HMG departments. Partners across Government include the FCDO Policy, Home Office and Home Office International Operations, Border Force, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service. The job holder will play a senior programme leadership role across priority migration and serious organised crime workstreams, supporting strategic oversight of delivery, governance and partner engagement. Working closely with the Senior Responsible Owner as the Programme Responsible Officer, the postholder will engage confidently with Partners Across Government, Fund Managers and a range of implementers in the UK and Pakistan, applying strong strategic understanding and judgement to ensure compliant delivery, effective risk management and alignment with the FCDO Programme Operating Framework and wider HMG objectives.

This is a challenging yet rewarding role which requires the ability to work at pace and collaborate with teams across the Mission. It is a great opportunity for anyone looking to hone and develop skills and be engaged in issues that matter to both the Pakistan and UK governments.

You will become part of the Goal 2 family, contributing to building a positive team environment. Supportive line management, respect and career development are at the heart of staff relationships, and we expect that all team members should strive to create and maintain a happy, rewarding work environment where everyone can achieve their best. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate these qualities in this leadership role within programming.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

You will be required to demonstrate strong programme leadership, strategic understanding and project management skills, with sound knowledge of the FCDO Programme Operating Framework (PRoF). You will be self-starting, pragmatic and able to manage competing deadlines and priorities, while exercising sound judgement across a complex stakeholder environment. We expect the successful candidate to provide confident stewardship across the programme cycle on CSCP, work closely with the SRO, and wider programme team, and build influential working relationships with Partners Across Government, Fund Managers and a range of implementers to support compliant, well-governed delivery of high-priority migration and serious organised crime activity.

Key responsibilities include managing the full programme cycle, programme mobilisation, implementation, robust monitoring and evaluation, financial, commercial and risk management.

Managing the programme cycle:

• Lead on the programme management cycle of CSCP ensuring that programme and financial management requirements are met according to rules in the PRoF.
• Establish and maintain project Delivery Plans to inform planning and task execution. Use HERA/AMP/MI data to inform Delivery Plans, decisions and lessons.
• Ensure compliance and transparency requirements are applied effectively.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation practices are in place that will deliver the data that the programme needs to understand delivery and impact.
• Lead on delivering and maintaining key programme management documents such as due diligence reports, programme delivery plans and risk registers. Lead on the follow up of Due diligence, audit and annual review recommendations.
• Adhere to programme reporting requirements aligned with funding department requirements.

Managing finance, risk and issues:

• Experience of identifying and assessing risks, applying appropriate mitigation and escalation measures during project mobilisation and implementation; and implementing project controls until appropriate level of assurance is established.
• Ensure partner agreement obligations are met. Work with delivery partners to ensure appropriate levels of performance are achieved whilst adhering to FCDO/Suppliers’ codes of practice.
• Proactive management of programme risks, with efficient financial, commercial and risk management, focusing on results and VFM.
• Ensure forecasts are credible and timely; identify issues and trends; ensures lessons are learnt and fed back into financial management processes.
• Be aware of the way funds flow through the programme and conscious of where fraud risks are highest. Implement strategies to safeguard FCDO funds and handle any identified cases of fraud rigorously in a timely manner.

Leadership, line management and engaging others

• Lead and convene regular meetings in the team and with partners; escalate risks to SRO as needed. Work closely with relevant advisers to strategically manage the programme and ensure delivery of impact
• Draft clear and concise programme documentation, periodic (technical and financial) progress reports, submissions, information notes and other written work; and quality assure these before submission to senior management.
• Present programme objectives and delivery models to other organisations (partners, government, donors, NGOs, x- His Majesty’s Government) and identify opportunities to convene different interest groups in support of programme objectives.
• Liaise proactively with other donors and programmes across BHC Islamabad’s portfolio to develop synergies. Demonstrate good line management skills including a zero tolerance to Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line Management of Programme Officer (EO Grade)
• Budgetary Responsibility of £2mn (blended ODA & Non-ODA) ISF funds

Learning and development opportunities (if any):

You will have the opportunity to develop skills and experience throughout the programme management cycle, including through formal in-house learning opportunities and team-wide capability initiatives (e.g., Away Days).

Language requirements:
Language: English & Urdu
Level of language required: Proficient

Additional Information:

• Willingness to undertake occasional domestic and international travel, subject to business need.
• Discretion and confidence in working on sensitive and high-profile migration and serious organised crime issues, including close engagement with Government of Pakistan, Partners Across Government, Fund Managers and implementers. This means that there will be occasions where you may need to work flexibly and, where required, outside standard office hours to respond to operational demands and priority deadlines

Essential on arrival:

• Strong experience of leading and delivering complex development programmes over long term (4-5 years or more) across the full programme cycle, with the ability to provide strategic oversight as well as day-to-day programme management.
• Experience of security and justice programming or working in rule of law and justice departments.
• Experience of working across complex stakeholder groups, including Partners Across Government, Fund Managers and a variety of implementers, with the ability to build strategic relationships, influence delivery and maintain strong programme partnerships.
• Strong commercial, financial and risk management skills, with the ability to ensure PRoF compliance and maintain robust programme governance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload, lead delivery at pace, and respond flexibly as new priorities arise, including on high-priority migration work, with a strong strategic understanding of the wider policy and operational context.
• The ability to learn quickly and take on stretching responsibilities, standing in for Seniors when needed.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and high-quality reports, submissions, briefings and other written products for senior stakeholders.