Senior Technical Director (Associate I or Associate II)

TITLE: Senior Technical Director (Associate I or Associate II)

REPORTING TO: Country Director (Pakistan Office)

LOCATION: Population Council Islamabad, Pakistan

ASSIGNMENT TYPE: One-year renewable contract

Summary:

The Population Council is seeking a highly qualified professional to take on the role of a Senior Technical Director in the Pakistan office. They will co-lead and share management for research, communications and advocacy programs of the Pakistan office.

The candidate must have experience in international development and extensive knowledge of one or more of the Population Council’s strategic priorities: reproductive health, gender equity and empowerment of youth and climate justice. The candidate will ensure that the Pakistan office successfully aligns itself to and pursues the mission of the Population Council.

The candidate will support the strategic direction of the Council’s work in Pakistan, foster and maintain collaborative efforts with Council staff across other regions, and offices in the United States (e.g., New York and Washington, DC).

The Senior Technical Director will contribute technical inputs to all research initiatives to ensure high-quality evidence is generated for program and policy impact.

The candidate will work closely with project teams to help ensure goals and milestones are met in accordance with project budgets and work plans. They will assist in providing budget oversight and comply with donor reporting.

They will engage with government, donors, and national and international NGOs to identify research opportunities, promote the utilization of research findings, and support fundraising efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program Leadership: Lead and oversee the implementation of major programs in Pakistan, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timelines.
2. Research Excellence: Support and mentor teams to produce high-quality research that addresses strategic priorities, such as reproductive health, gender equity, youth empowerment, and climate justice.
3. Partnership Management: Manage research partners and commissioned work to achieve program objectives and maintain high standards of collaboration.
4. Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the organization in meetings with government, donors, policy makers, and development partners to strengthen relationships and foster collaboration.
5. Knowledge Translation: Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policy engagement and program interventions.
6. Quality Assurance: Ensure all research and programs adhere to best practices, including value for money, inclusivity, equity, transparency, and quality control systems.
7. Strategic Fundraising: Lead fundraising efforts to support the country strategy, reflecting organizational priorities and local needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas.

1. Candidate preferred with Ph.D. or advanced degree in social science, medicine or statistics or related field, with relevant training and extensive expertise in management of research.
2. More than ten years in leadership positions in an international setting or within Pakistan.
3. Proven ability in managing and administering a country-level program that addresses one or more of the four strategic priorities at the Council: Reproductive Health, Gender, Adolescents and Climate Change and Environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to work well with varied levels of national and international staff within a complex technical assistance organization.
5. Reputation for excellence in demographic or public health programs, through past positions and publications record.
6. Demonstrated skills in cultivating donors and raising funds for research and programs.
7. Excellent English written and oral communication skills.
8. Strong leadership and strategic planning abilities.
9. Effective decision-making and project management skills
10. Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office. Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave.

We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development.

Application Deadline: January 20, 2025

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp.

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.