Terms of reference
Location: Ottawa, ON
About AKFC
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is an international development organization and registered charity. AKFC partners with communities, businesses, and governments to find innovative, lasting solutions to global challenges. Working in Africa and Asia, we invest in local institutions and systems that anchor progress over the long term. In Canada, AKFC mobilizes funding and expertise, and promotes awareness of global issues. AKFC is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s most comprehensive development organizations. Since 1980, AKFC has helped millions of women and men to unlock their own potential to build a better life.
Position Summary
AKFC is seeking an experienced Program Manager to oversee the overall grant management of the Foundations for Education and Empowerment (F4EE) program that is co-funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and AKFC. The Program Manager will provide oversight, leadership, and coordination support to all F4EE implementing partners to ensure the project is implemented on time, on budget, achieving all intended project outcomes, and remaining compliant to all donor requirements. The Program Manager will work closely with AKFC, the F4EE Regional Team, AKF’s Global Partnerships Team and Global Program Team, and various AKDN implementing agencies in each of the F4EE countries.
F4EE (2020-2027) is active in five countries (Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda). With a budget of CAD $57.6 million (GAC: $49 million, AKFC: $8.6 million), F4EE aims to improve education systems at the pre-primary and primary level, in addition to strengthening women’s empowerment, and gender equality. F4EE is comprised of three components: Foundations for Learning (F4L), Advancing Gender Equality through Civil Society (AGECS), and Advancing Canadian Champions for Development (ACCD). F4EE is implemented by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) units in each country, Aga Khan Schools (AKS), Aga Khan University (AKU), and the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), in close collaboration with local government, communities and civil society organizations (CSOs).
The Program Manager for F4EE will be based in Canada (Ottawa, Ontario), with travel of up to 30% per year to project countries. Financial support is provided for relocation to Ottawa if necessary. The Program Manager will report to the Senior Manager, Programs and Partnerships. The starting salary range for this position is between $80,000 and $87,000 per year, alongside a competitive benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Act as focal point for the F4EE grant and provide overall guidance, oversight, quality control and coordination for the project.
- Build relationships and maintain coordinated communications with AKFC, AKF country units, AKF’s Global Partnerships Team and Global Program Team, AKDN implementing agencies and other local partners.
- Be responsible and accountable for all F4EE reporting and donor compliance requirements, including the preparation and submission of the annual work plans, quarterly and annual technical reports, oversight of financial reports and other deliverables as stipulated in the F4EE Grant Agreement.
- Analyze project performance on output and outcome indicators and other results-based management (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation benchmarks, and recommend and implement procedural changes to improve operations to meet objectives.
- Ensure integration of gender equality considerations in all aspect of program implementation and management.
- Collaborate with AKFC, AKF field units’ finance teams and the F4EE Regional Finance Manager to ensure timely and quality financial reports are produced and shared with AKFC.
- Analyze, synthesize, and articulate the lessons, challenges, and risks emerging from the project, working with the F4EE Regional Team, AKF country units, and AKDN partners to integrate these into project planning and implementation.
- Support the F4EE Regional Team in the implementation of the project’s Learning Agenda to inform and improve policy and practices in Education and Early Childhood Education, and gender equality both nationally and within the region.
- Coordinate the planning and execution of regional events and workshops together with the F4EE Regional Team, AKF country units, and local administration teams.
- Ensure AKDN agencies are supported and provided with information to engage Global Affairs Canada counterparts at their country level and connect these efforts with AKFC in Ottawa for coordination and consistency.
- Organize F4EE governance meetings, including for the Project Oversight Committee, the Project Steering Committee, and the Sub-Project Steering Committee meetings.
- Prepare briefing notes, summaries, background papers and program analysis for a variety of audiences as needed and assigned.
Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as international development.
- Minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of experience in a program and grant management role, preferably including at least two (2) years in a position based in a developing country.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English.
- Experience working on grant management or program management on international development projects funded by institutional donors, including experience meeting donor criteria in reporting, work planning, RBM, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience working on large-scale projects funded by GAC. Knowledge of, and experience with, results-based management, preferably for GAC programming.
- Knowledge of key concepts in gender equality and women’s empowerment and experience with integrating and implementing these concepts in programs.
- Knowledge of, and experience with, financial management, preferably for GAC programming.
- Demonstrated capacity to respect and safeguard vulnerable populations.
- Ability to work irregular hours in order to accommodate the needs of the project and the overseas project teams.
- Ability to travel up to 30% of time per year to F4EE countries. Essential Skills and Attributes.
Essential Skills and Attributes
- Ability to work well in teams and particularly teams that span across multiple geographies and time zones.
- Capacity to work independently, take initiative and manage a variety of activities simultaneously while meeting strict reporting deadlines and keeping colleagues and senior managers well informed.
- Ability to facilitate collaborative and participatory processes with partners and stakeholders.
- Superb analytical, organizational, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Proven interpersonal and communication skills in diverse and cross-cultural settings.
- Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through training, capacity building and mentoring.
- Ability to work in challenging contexts with patience, perseverance, and flexibility.
- Demonstrated intercultural competence and ability to adapt professional skills to fit local conditions and constraints.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please note that applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.
AKFC is committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion through our programming and operations in Canada and overseas. AKFC requires all employees and consultants to review and abide by the AKFC Gender Equality Policy.
AKFC recognizes the importance of safeguarding and is committed to ensuring it manages a wide range of risks such that beneficiaries, staff, other associates, and the organization are kept safe from harm. All employees and consultants must respect the AKF Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.
AKFC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
