Country Program Officer

The purpose of the Program Officer (PO) is to ensure implementation of Norwegian Red Cross EU Funded project at country level through programme support to the National Society partner, as articulated and established in the approved Country Framework. This means that the position is project base position, and the Program Officer will be responsible for ensuring results-based project management, risk management, and operational in-country Movement coordination. Furthermore, the PO is responsible for ensuring project implementation in support to NS partners, in line with established project agreements and project plans. The CPO ensures sound technical quality of all country projects, in line with established technical standards and best practices. The CPO ensures that Norwegian Red Cross programme support is based on regularly updated humanitarian needs analysis in line with established practices. The CPO represents Norwegian Red Cross in-country with regards to external partnerships and relationships. Title No of positions Wage frame Contracting org Country Program Officer 1 According to NoRC CO Pakistan Salary Scale Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Department : International Programmes and Preparedness Reports to : Country Program Coordinator Unit : International Programmes Updated by : Country Program Coordinator Country : Pakistan Last updated : 23.9.2025 Purpose The Country Program Officer will support the CPC in the implementation of the EU Funded project activities to ensure high-quality and timely delivery in line with NoRC goals and objectives, and donor requirements. This position is intended to strengthen the overall program management capacity, provide strategic and technical guidance to program teams, ensure effective monitoring and reporting, and strengthen coordination with technical teams in the movement. The Country Program Officer will also ensure the program coherence across sectors and relevant thematic areas and will support adaptive learning to improve impact and sustainability of PRCS -NoRC supported programs. Strategic responsibilities Support the development and refinement of program strategies to ensure alignment with EU Guidelines, NoRC strategic priorities, and Pakistan context, and identify emerging needs, opportunities, and risks and adapt program approaches accordingly. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with PRCS program teams, participating movement partners and other humanitarian actors in the relevant sectors, and represent NoRC in relevant coordination forums and clusters to influence and align with sectoral strategies Oversee the design and implementation of results frameworks, ensuring programs are guided by measurable outcomes and impact, and ensure that systems for monitoring and evaluation are in place and strategically used for decision-making Support the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes and reports, and ensure strategic reporting that demonstrate program relevance, effectiveness and impact. Provide strategic guidance to ensure programs are evidence-based, inclusive, gender-sensitive and ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender, and climate resilience. Identify strategic and operational risks and propose mitigation measures, and ensure that programs comply with EU Guideline, PRCS health, WASH and MPC strategy and NoRC result frameworks Operational responsibilities Main responsibilities and tasks for the position Programme Orientation and Strategic Planning Support the orientation of programme activities and strategies to align with the approved EU project proposal, Country Plan of Action, and NoRC International Strategy and guidelines. Plan, organize, and develop health and WASH activities, ensuring quality, accountability, and compliance with donor standards and organizational policies. Actively participate in reviewing and updating the Country Plan of Action in line with regional and EU priorities. Translate programme objectives into detailed work plans, in collaboration with program and finance teams, under the guidance of the Country Program Coordinator. Advise and update the Country Program Coordinator and Country Manager on program development, progress, and challenges. Support context analysis and needs assessments to inform programme adjustments and ensure responsiveness to humanitarian developments. Represent NoRC in RCRC Movement technical working groups (Health, WASH, MPC), ensuring the organization’s views are clearly articulated and understood. Ensure adherence to EU compliance requirements, including visibility guidelines, procurement rules, and safeguarding standards Program Implementation and Monitoring : Oversee the day-to-day implementation of health and WASH activities across all locations, ensuring alignment with EU compliance requirements and SPHERE standards. Organize regular coordination meetings with the EU project team to exchange information, address challenges, and propose solutions or innovative approaches. Monitor program performance against indicators, conduct field visits, and consolidate monitoring data to ensure quality, relevance, and impact of interventions. Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes such as gender, protection, Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), and disaster risk reduction (DRR) into all activities. Representation / communication : Maintain close collaboration with PRCS, IFRC, ICRC, and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth coordination and avoid duplication of efforts. Represent NoRC in external meetings with partners, government agencies, and donors, ensuring effective communication of programme progress and challenges. Keep the Country Program Coordinator and Country Manager regularly informed through situation reports, briefings, and timely updates. Training : Identify training needs and ensure the planning and delivery of capacity-building activities for PRCS staff and volunteers. Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to PRCS PHQ and field teams to strengthen programme delivery and compliance. Promote knowledge sharing and learning among team members to enhance programme quality. Budget and Financial procedures : Provide input for the development and review of project budgets to ensure they adequately meet programmatic needs and donor requirements. Review and sign financial documents related to program activities, ensuring compliance with financial procedures. Actively participate in Budget vs. Actual (BVA) reviews to track spending, address variances, and recommend adjustments as needed. Monitor cost-efficiency and flag potential risks or under / overspending early. Reporting and Documentation : Collaborate closely with program and finance teams to ensure accurate and timely donor reporting. Prepare comprehensive monthly activity reports with statistics, progress against indicators, challenges, and lessons learned. Contribute to donor proposals, situation reports, and success stories to highlight programme impact and achievements. Ensure that monitoring, evaluation, and accountability documentation is properly archived and accessible for audits or reviews. Consistently provide support to the project teams and ensure that Norwegian Red Cross rules and guidelines are anchored among Host National Society personnel. Foster strong relationships with EU representatives and other donors, ensuring compliance with donor requirements Qualifications Formal Competence Qualifications : Master’s degree in relevant field Experience : 5 years, with thehumanitarian sector in conflict, remote locations, and preference will be given to experience of implementation of EU funded projects Personal qualifications, skills and knowledge Skills and knowledge Skills and knowledge : Most of all patience, organization, training / coaching skills, and diplomacy are required. Track record of managing humanitarian projects in complex humanitarian setting Proven experience in working with vulnerable groups and marginalized populations. Excellent knowledge of words and excel. Fluency in English in required. Personal Qualifications Ability to work towards achieving objectives and results. Ability to convince and gain acceptance. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to be solution oriented. Collaborates well with others and supports others in the pursuit of team goals. Creates a stable and re-assuring work atmosphere and is firm and reliable.

#J-18808-Ljbffr