Project Manager for a Capacity Building Intervention on Country Abortion Law

Job Description

I. Introduction/Background: A nationwide study conducted across Pakistan revealed that around 890,000 induced abortions took place in the country in 2002. This amounts to 29 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. It is important to note that by 2012, this number significantly increased to 50 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15?49 (Population Council 2012). This signifies an upward trajectory in unsafe abortions. However, the accurate abortion rate might be much higher than this as most of the unsafe abortions in Pakistan are under-reported.ÿIpas is an INGO registered with Govt of Pakistan. It works along Federal Ministry of National Health Services, Provincial Departments of Health and Population Welfare in ICT, Punjab, Sindh and KP provinces/regions for skill development of service providers and to provide them onsite technical support to switch from Dilation and Curettage (D&C) practice which is an unsafe method to the use of WHO-recommended safe technologies for provision of safe abortion services to women. Under Sections 338, 338A, 338B and 338C, women can obtain an abortion under the circumstances of ?good faith?, ?saving the life of the woman?, and ?necessary treatment?. However, abortion is stigmatized as illegal in Pakistan and due to a lack of understanding regarding abortion laws in Pakistan, healthcare providers and institutions refuse the provision of safe abortions putting the lives of thousands of women at risk of injury and death.Ipas Pakistan through a thorough consultative process spanning over a year has tried to discuss, recognize, and interpret abortion law of Pakistan. The consultative meetings consisted of diverse members of the legal fraternity of Pakistan. The participants consisted of judges of the high courts and the district judiciary, chairpersons of human rights commissions, professors at various law universities, early career researchers, and litigators practicing at the various district courts, high courts, the federal shariat court of Pakistan, and the supreme court of Pakistan. Further, law students, policymakers, reproductive health champions and members of civil society organizations were also involved in the consultative process.ÿIn context to the above given background, Ipas Pakistan is aiming to implement a capacity-building intervention for policymakers, health managers, health care providers, community staff and civil society members on the interpretation of abortion law. This includes conduction of well-defined training activities on abortion law and assess stigma reduction before and after training. We will compare the change among intervention and non-intervention districts within the same region and with another region for context variation. We hope the intervention will bring down stigma by creating clarity around abortion law.II. Period of Performance: 10th July 2023 ? 30th June 2024III. Place of Performance: Islamabad- Office BasedIV. Scope of Work: We are looking for a project manager who will lead all follow ups, technical and operational matters, coordination, and admin related matters of the aforementioned intervention and to coordinate with relevant stakeholders for accomplishment of project related tasks on time. The consultant will work under the supervision and support of the unit lead and work as a liaison between the project related partners and Ipas team. Further details as following:

• To provide strategic input for advocacy and to support accomplishment of policy and strategic advocacy goals
• To provide support in building and nurturing existing networks and partnerships of organizations and institutions including media to support Ipas?s mission and legal/regulatory/policy changes on safe abortion and post-abortion care and contraception
• To plan and execute project workplan under the supervision of unit lead
• To provide technical input on the project related documents
• To lead the coordination and liaising with country admin and finance team for conduction of project activities
• To provide policy and advocacy support and technical assistance as needed including drafting speeches, presentations, and materials for presentation in international, regional, and national conferences e.g., compendiums, best practices documents, research fact sheets & briefs; program documents, policy statements, and workshop materials
• To participate in planning meetings for donor programs and prepare timely and high-quality policy components of related donor reports
• Troubleshoot any issues faced in smooth conduction of the project
• To coordinate and follow-up with technical consultant of the project on timely deliverance of the project deliverables
• To support in documenting and reporting progress/outcome on country activities toward achievement of efforts for policy change, as reflected by donor deliverables and other indicators
• To provide support in relationship management and helps maintain key relationships with national non-profits, private sector entities and policy networks, especially at the national level
• To support in mapping partners and partnership programs and keeps awareness on reproductive health opposition activities
• To provide assistance with data collection and analysis, and drafts policy reports
• To provide support in managing relationships with external entities including partner organizations, donors, policymakers, and consultants
• To ensure consistency of messages of the organization
• Perform any other task assigned by unit lead
• Travels as and when required

V. Reporting: Policy and Communications AdvisorVI. Qualifications/ Experience:

• Pakistani national
• Master?s in public health/social sciences/relevant field with experience in policy analysis, mass communication or equivalent related field
• 04 to 05 years? experience of leading and implementing a project particularly on human rights/reproductive health.
• 03 or more years of experience with an INGO will be preferred
• Program planning and management experience
• Excellent data management, coordination marketing and communication skills
• IT/Software Requirements: Microsoft Suite, Outlook, and SharePoint
• Must have excellent writing, editing, communication (for example: designing/graphics and/or photoshop/CorelDraw) and event management skills
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly (for example: media tracking database, online communications platforms).
• Established relationships with public sector/health organizations will be preferred
• Working knowledge of budget oversight will be preferred
• Experience working in Sexual Health and Reproductive Health field will be preferred
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changes in strategy
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural environment
• Ability to travel 40% and work additional hours when needed

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity.ÿ We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.

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