Duty Station: Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

No. of Positions: 01

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (National Position)

Contract Duration: Initial one (01) year (July–June), renewable annually based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds, up to a maximum of six (06) years.

Remuneration: Competitive salary in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with employment benefits in accordance with SRSO Human Resource policies.

Position Summary

The National Technical Coordinator will serve as the Lead Technical Expert responsible for ensuring technical excellence, operational effectiveness, and contractual compliance of all project components related to rice production, value chains, and rural development.

The incumbent will provide strategic direction, supervise implementation, oversee monitoring and reporting systems, and facilitate collaboration among Donor, government entities, research institutions, and development partners.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance

• Provide overall technical oversight of all project components including the support to rice production systems, climate-smart agriculture practices, and value chain development interventions.

• Ensure application of sustainable intensification, post-harvest management, and market-oriented approaches.

• Validate technical packages, extension materials, and capacity-building modules.

• Provide policy-level technical inputs where required.

B. Programme Planning and Implementation

• Lead preparation of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), procurement plans, and implementation schedules.

• Ensure alignment of field activities with approved logframes and results frameworks.

• Supervise timely and quality delivery of outputs and reports.

C. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Establish and oversee performance monitoring systems.

• Ensure regular tracking of indicators and outcome-level results.

• Contribute to baseline, mid-term review, and final evaluation processes.

• Document lessons learned and best practices.

D. Financial Oversight and Compliance

• Coordinate with finance and grants units to monitor budget utilization.

• Review fund requests and financial progress reports.

• Ensure adherence to donor agreements, procurement standards, and audit requirements.

E. Stakeholder Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with federal and provincial agriculture departments, research institutes, and private sector actors.

• Represent the project in technical working groups and coordination platforms.

• Strengthen partnerships with rice research institutions and value chain stakeholders.

F. Capacity Development and Knowledge Management

• Organize technical workshops, policy dialogues, and training sessions.

• Support development of knowledge products, policy briefs, and dissemination materials.

• Promote research linkages and evidence-based policy recommendations.

G. Communication and Visibility

• Support implementation of communication and visibility plans in line with donor branding guidelines.

• Contribute to the preparation of technical publications and reports.

Deliverables

The National Technical Coordinator shall deliver:

• Annual Work Plan (AWP) and quarterly implementation plans.

• Quarterly, six-monthly Project Progress Reports (PPRs) and annual technical progress reports.

• Budget utilization and financial narrative reports.

• Mid-term and final evaluations reports with support from Lead Agency.

• Monitoring reports aligned with results framework indicators.

• Technical publications or policy briefs (as applicable).

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s required; PhD preferred) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Rural Development, Food Security, Rice Sciences, or related discipline from an HEC-recognized institution.

• Minimum five (05) years of progressively responsible professional experience in agriculture and rural development programming at the national or international level.

• Demonstrated expertise in rice production systems, value chain development, or agribusiness.

• Experience in field implementation, policy advisory roles, and donor-funded project management.

• Preference will be given to candidates with peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized research journals on rice or related themes.

Competencies (Core Competencies)

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

• Planning and Organizing

• Accountability