Senior Program Officer

Senior Program Officer for Promoting Social Cohesion (P/CVE) Project in Punjab  

The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region.Through a continuous presence in Pakistan since 1954, the Foundation has developed strong ties and valuable expertise on local, regional, and international issues.With an extensive network of local and regional partners in both government and civil society, our projects extend throughout the country, and range from large, nationwide programs to small, local initiatives.The  Foundation is seeking the services of a Senior Program Officer. The position is located at the Foundation Country Office in Islamabad. The Senior Program Officer will be supervised directly by the Program Implementation Lead and Acting Country Representative.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Foundation to be an affirmative action employer and not discriminate against any applicant for employment on account of sex, race, color, age, religion, origin, marital or veteran status, health status, or disability.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including hiring, training, promotion, performance evaluation, compensation levels, and termination.Under the supervision of the Program Implementation Lead (PIL) and Acting Country Representative (ACR), the Senior Program Officer (SPO) will be largely responsible for the following tasks:

Job Summary:

The position of Senior Program Officer holds significant importance in the successful execution, assessment, and mitigation of programs designed to counter violent extremism prevalent in Pakistan.The candidate who fulfills the requirements for this role will work closely with a range of stakeholders, including government bodies, grassroots civil society organizations, and community leaders.The main objective of this collaboration will be to develop and implement strategies that target the root causes of violent extremism and effectively address this critical issue in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Support the PIL with the planning, implementation, and evaluation of program initiatives in alignment with project goals and organizational objectives.

2. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of program activities.

3. Work closely with the PIL and Finance team to ensure effective and efficient unitization of the project funds in a timely manner. 

4. Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, community leaders, NGOs, and other key stakeholders involved in countering violent extremism.

5. Collaborate with local partners to identify opportunities for joint initiatives and coordinate efforts for maximum impact.

6. Develop and implement community engagement strategies to raise awareness about the risks of violent extremism and promote community resilience.

7. Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among diverse community groups to foster social cohesion and prevent radicalization.

8. Design and deliver training programs for local organizations and community leaders on P/CVE strategies and best practices.

9. Provide technical assistance and mentorship to build the capacity of local partners to effectively implement the program initiatives.

10. Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms developed to assess the impact of the project interventions.

11. Regularly report on project progress, challenges, and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders.

12. Stay informed about current trends, research, and best practices in the field of countering violent extremism.

13. Conduct regular analysis of the local context to inform program design and adaptation.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Skills, Languages, etc.)

• Master's degree in international relations, security studies, development studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in designing and implementing CVE programs.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including budgeting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Understands the need for confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information and correspondence
• Strong understanding of the socio-political context in Pakistan and the factors contributing to violent extremism.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Urdu; knowledge of other local languages is an asset.
• Ability to travel within Pakistan, specifically Punjab as required.

Others: 

• Positive and energetic outlook and team player
• Conscious of Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion approaches and attitude
• Excellent coordination with all office staff  
• Self-motivated, and self-disciplined with the ability to work autonomously.
• Exceptional time management, verbal, and written communication skills 

Declaration:

• By applying for this position with TAF Pakistan

I confirm that the above information in the CV/Application is complete and correct and that any untrue or misleading information will give my employer the right to terminate any employment contract offered.