Program Manager 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 Program Manager is responsible for running the Program Management Office of the KRN Digital stream. They are responsible for monitoring and reporting of the entire DFS portfolio and support the senior management with identifying and developing partnerships that will be critical for accelerating financial inclusion in Pakistan.

Job Responsibilities

Project/Program Management 

• Provide project management support for large and complex grants
• Monitor progress and inputs against targets, milestones and key decisions along with providing provide analytical and research support to the team as needed.
• Oversee implementation of work plans and work closely with the team members to deliver projects through interactions with project managers at our partner/grantee firms
• Ensure strategic alignment by identifying opportunities to achieve strategic objectives through program implementation
• Ensure that the overall program structure and program management processes enable the program and its component teams to successfully complete their work
• Ensure day-to-day administrative, operations and finance activities are carried out for the smooth support of the Program’s technical delivery
• Ensure accurate budgeting and accounting of expenditure and compliance with policies and procedures of the Program
• Facilitate preparation of materials for annual budgeting and planning. Manage process to update work plans (if needed).

Strategic Planning and Leadership Support

• Facilitate preparation of materials for strategy reviews, learning sessions, briefings, and submissions to Donors, CEO and Board of Directors.
• Support development of Annual Program Workplans and Strategic Plan
• Sets goals and implement portions of the strategic plan through effective planning

Collaboration

• Capture and understand internal stakeholder needs and expectations, analyze the impact of the program on stakeholders, gain and maintain stakeholder support, manage stakeholder communications, and mitigate/channel stakeholder resistance.
• Convey the importance of each project and related work efforts to the overall program and organizational performance objectives
• Establish processes and procedures for maintaining program oversight and decision-making support for policies and practices throughout the course of the program
• Demonstrate accountability to ensure the program complies with established portfolio management governance and processes including quarterly reviews, and annual planning.

Team Management

• This role may manage people (Program Coordinators) and will be responsible for ensuring successful employee onboarding, communicating performance expectations, creating goal alignment, integrating project and change management, giving and seeking feedback internally and externally (with our partners and grantees) along with providing coaching, measuring progress and holding people accountable, supporting employee development, and recognizing achievement and lessons learned.

Eligibility

Education & Experience

• Bachelors/Master’s degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Economics or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Project/Program Management within financial services or development-related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of a not-for-profit organization
• Knowledge of donor-funded programs
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial analysis and synthesis.
• Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles and approaches
• Proficient skill in MS Office Suite and advanced knowledge of Excel
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English
• Exceptional stakeholder management
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines and understand policy compliance
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated, diverse team and be comfortable in multiple, high varied settings, and tight deadlines with different work and learning styles.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing demands, and establish priorities.

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.