Senior Program Manager/GESI Specialist

PACT Overview

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact seeks a Senior Program Manager (SPM)/GESI Specialist under the USAID CSM-STAND Sri Lanka Bolstering Civil Society (BCS) Activity. The project’s overall goal is to assist Sri Lanka in maintaining a vibrant civil society that empowers citizens to advance the democratic values of citizen participation. Activities will link CSOs across communities, districts, and regions to have a voice in local governance and national reform processes.

The position will lead in the design and implementation of activities that enable effective CSO advocacy, research, and collaboration.  Under the supervision of the Chief of Party (COP) and working closely with the Program Officers and Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), the Senior Program Manager/GESI Specialist will oversee program management and coordination, including program development, administration of grants, monitoring and evaluation of on-going program activities, managing budgets, and preparing project reports.  The position will be based in a to-be-identified region. This is to be a five-year program that commenced in September 2022.

The Senior Program Manager/GESI Specialist provides mentoring to CSOs in leadership, constituency building and communications; integrates program elements, adapting design based on lessons learned and ensuring compliance; and oversees quality of capacity development and activities directly implemented by Pact. The SPM/GESI Specialist assists the COP and DCOP in program quality assurance of grant activities and the development of key program documentation and deliverables including implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation plan, reports, and other learning documents. The SPM/GESI Specialist supervises project personnel, consultants, and other personnel as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

Program Management

• Assist COP and DCOP in daily tasks regarding the program management
• Ensure that program meets the highest standards of civil society programming, including inclusive and participatory design, implementation and evaluation, security, and no-harm principles, fostering capacity building
• Support COP and DCOP in coordination amongst several teams: capacity development, communication, MEL, operation, Grants and Contracts, Finance
• Oversee development of key program documentation and deliverables including implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation plan, reports, and other learning documents and facilitate engagement of key players
• Works closely with GESI Consultant to design and integrate thematic priorities within the program
• Supervise team of Colombo and regional based-Program Officers as primary point of contact support to CSO/NGO partners based in the region/districts
• Provide, coordinate, or arrange all technical assistance and administrative support activities under the project, including but not limited to, conducting organizational assessment for local NGOs, organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, and trainings
• Facilitate and maintain linkages and networking among various actors. Support collaboration with partners, donors, government, and other key stakeholders as a base for building/maintaining/expanding a sustainable country and regional efforts
• Assist the COP and DCOP in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for the program
• Ensure timely submission of project programmatic reports in coordination with the COP
• Participate in program review meetings and decision-making on new grants and extension
• Make periodic visits to field sites to monitor the status of projects and prepare reports on visits and substantive meetings with partners and assigned grantees
• Participate in the design process of new activities in coordination with the COP/DCOP and project team leads
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting on all work plans in consultation with the COP, DCOP and Communication Manager.

Networking, Alliance Building and Collaboration

• Supervises project consultants, as assigned

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Master's degree with six (6) years work experience or bachelor's degree with at least eight (8+) years work experience

• At least four (4+) years management experience

• At least 3-years’ experience in managing donor-funded programs

• At least 5-years of experience in public interest legal advocacy, civil society capacity development, coalition building, conflict mitigation or similar fields

• At least 3 years' experience in designing, monitoring and integrating GESI programing

• Ability to work well in a team and with various partner organizations

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programs.

• Skills and Abilities

  Behavioral Competencies

  • Role Model for Department staff

  Leadership

  • Ability to sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with internal colleagues and contacts in donor and peer organizations
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Consistently works within internal process and procedures and ensures others do the same
  • Strong interpersonal and team building skills
  • Ability to drive Department-wide initiatives

  Project Management

  • Excellent planning and resource management skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex ideas to diverse audiences
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills related to program management
  • Demonstrated understanding of cultural sensitivity principles and ability to maintain unbiased relationships with various stakeholders
  • High proficiency in developing and managing a budget

  Technical Skills

  • GESI expertise
  • Knowledge and experience of US Government rules and regulations
  • Experience in designing and implementing civil society assistance programs

  People Management

  • High proficiency in supervising staff, including providing honest feedback and meaningful development opportunities
  • Ability to mentor others and model successful management techniques and approaches