Executive Program Office (DFS)

About Us

Karandaaz (KRN) believes that every Pakistani deserves to be Financially Included and Economically Empowered. Our mission at Karandaaz is to foster economic growth and create jobs through financial inclusion of unbanked individuals and unserved enterprises.

Karandaaz Pakistan is a not-for-profit organization, based out of Islamabad, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act 2017. We are supported by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Karandaaz is governed by an eminent board who set the strategy of the organization and steer it towards achievement of its objectives.

Karandaaz Digital aims to catalyze the financial services industry towards greater financial inclusion by employing cutting-edge innovations and digital solutions for social impact. Karandaaz collaborates across the financial services ecosystem to maximize impact through improved access to digital finance for low-income, rural, and otherwise excluded population segments, especially women. Karandaaz Digital aims to work with all stakeholders to facilitate the digitalization of government and other payment streams and provide support to innovative digital financial service startups. The unit further aims to reduce the gender gap in financial inclusion by designing and implementing multiple interventions.

Position Summary 

The Executive Program Office for DFS works very closely with the DFS team and contributes to the success of the DFS program by supporting key planning and reporting activities including, annual budgeting, work planning, progress and financial reporting. The position also assists with preparation of progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.

The individual will serve as a liaison across multiple teams within Karandaaz such as Research, Marketing and Communications, Monitoring Evaluations and Learning, Internal Audit and Finance etc.

 Job Responsibilities

Yearly Budgeting and Work Planning

• Provide end-to-end assistance with the annual work plan exercise leading to approvals by the Donor, DFS Advisory Committee and Board.
• Conduct a historical review of the previous work plan, incorporate learnings, align new initiatives with agreed program deliverables with donor and work closely with internal teams for designing next year’s work plans and budgets.
• Coordinate with internal support functions such as Finance and Procurement for alignment of the workplans

Program and Performance Reporting & Tracking

• Track periodic program progress and report to donor, DFS Advisory Committee and the Board.
• Create reports, presentations and analyses after consolidating inputs from various teams.
• Highlight & escalate variances and liaise with project managers for successful delivery of the projects and activities.
• Coordinate on DFS Advisory Committee meetings, prepare agendas, presentation material, minutes and working papers for securing approvals.

Coordinate for Audits and other Reviews

• Act as focal point for coordinating on audits and other reviews for the DFS program
• Receive and disseminate audit findings, review reports and action items, track and update on progress. This includes action items proposed by DFS Advisory Committee, Board or any other reviewing forum.

Grants Proposal Development & Reviews

• Work with and under the guidance of the Program Manager DFS and other stakeholders to review and successfully secure approvals (internal and external) where required.
• Develop results frameworks to achieve intended program results
• Prepare requisite approval narratives and documentation for securing approvals and presentations in respective committee and board meetings
• Assist with grant management and evaluation by requesting and reviewing written materials; including grant summaries and reports.
• Undertake any other work that is necessary for a well-functioning Program Office and is deemed necessary by the organization

Eligibility

Education & Experience

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management or related discipline from a reputable institution.
• 0-2 years of work experience with reputable organization/s in a project coordination/program management office role
• Experience of working with a development agency is desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of a not-for-profit organization
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical ability
• Highly functional in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Ability to learn and operate systems like the ERP
• Self-starter with the discipline to execute tasks with minimum supervision
• Problem solver with the ability to balance IQ and EQ to build collaborative working relationships with colleagues
• Champion of change with an innovator’s mindset
• Quick and eager leaner

Culture and Values at Karandaaz

Karandaaz Culture is guided by our values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Equity (ICARE). These values shape our choices on what we do and how we do it, both with colleagues internally and partners externally. We also believe that we are all responsible for creating a great place to work and are constantly looking to hire individuals who bring the same level of passion and commitment to the purpose of the organization.

If you believe in Karandaaz vision and values and feel excited about the work we are offering, please send us your resume for this position to careers@karandaaz.com.pk clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line.

Karandaaz is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications by all population groups.