A2 Private secor adviser

VACANCY INFORMATION

DFID Pakistan is looking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced person in the role of A2 Private Sector Adviser. This is an exciting opportunity to join DFID Pakistan as the UK Government prioritises economic development and the boosting of mutual prosperity. The postholder will join a vibrant private sector team, comprising of 7 advisers and programme managers, within the Economic Growth Group, focused on boosting access to finance for SMEs, exploring climate finance initiatives, and widening and growing the export base. The team works closely with colleagues from across other UK Government departments and across offices in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and London.

This is a permanent contract which we are looking to fill from March 2020.

Job Details:

Grade:

A2 Private Sector Adviser

Anticipated job start date:

May 2020.

Is this vacancy suitable for individuals with alternative working patterns / reduced hours?

No

Selection Method

Stage 1: Paper application review and initial sift.

Stage 2: Group discussion and written exercise.

Stage 3: Presentation and interview.

Job Type:

Private Sector Development Adviser

Salary Range:

PKR 5,719,952pa – PKR 8,261,671 per annum.

Location:

Based in Islamabad with limited travel within Pakistan.

Job Profile:

About DFID

The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, deliver on Global Goals and tackle global challenges in line with the government’s UK Aid Strategy. Our aid budget is spent on tackling the great global challenges – from the root causes of mass migration and disease, to the threat of terrorism and global climate change – all of which also directly threaten British interests. We are ending the need for aid by building peaceful and stable societies, creating jobs and strong economies, fighting corruption, unlocking the potential of girls and women, tackling climate change and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. We are doing this because it is both the right thing to do and firmly in Britain’s national interest.

DFID works in partnership across Whitehall and with governments, civil society, the private sector and multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and the European Commission.

Working for the Department for International Development

Purpose of Job

Pakistan Programme

Pakistan is a top UK foreign policy priority. Addressing the security threat, both regionally and to the UK, remains paramount. It will become the sixth most populous country in the world by 2020, with the one million strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK retaining close links back to the country. Against this backdrop, Pakistan is now one of the largest bilateral DFID programme in the world. The Secretary of State and key groups such as the International Development Committee and Independent Commission for Aid Impact take a strong interest in the country.
We work closely with other Government Departments including FCO and MoD and we are supported by the corporate platform provided by FCO for services such as Transport, Estates, IT and Security. The UK mission’s work is coordinated through an Integrated Delivery Plan and managed through a cross-mission management board and is aligned to the UK aid strategy and strategic objectives:

1. Strengthening global peace, security and governance

2. Strengthening resilience and response to crises

3. Promoting global prosperity

4. Tackling extreme poverty and helping the world’s most vulnerable

5. Delivering value for money

Purpose of Job

The postholder will lead one of the private sector programmes within the Private Sector Development Team within the Economic Growth Group (which programme will depend on previous experience and interest) and will be required to provide technical support across the portfolio. You will be required to build on your network and work closely with key external partners at a senior level, where excellent communication skills are essential. Partners include Karandaaz, the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company, The Pakistan Credit Guarantee Company, The Punjab Skills Development Fund, financial sector institutions (banks, leasing companies, specialized development finance institutions), the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities Exchange Commission, other ministries and departments, businesses, associations and development partners.

Boosting mutual prosperity is a key priority for the UK mission in Pakistan. The postholder will support the wider team to identify opportunities and deliver results.

The postholder will report to the Team Leader of the Private Sector Team.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

Specific tasks will include, but not be limited to:

Ensure strong delivery of the DFID Pakistan private sector portfolio:

· Act as Lead Adviser for one of the private sector programmes (financial sector, climate finance or export market development) and develop excellent working relationships with team members;

· Work towards becoming a Senior Responsible Officer for one of the private sector programmes;

· Support the team’s objective to strengthen development partner coordination. Key partners include multilateral development banks and bilateral development agencies;

· Continue to strengthen engagement and links with DFID’s Asia Regional Team, the Growth and Resilience Department, the Private Sector Department and other departments in DFID to ensure DFID Pakistan is well plugged into the latest research on economic development and most cutting-edge private sector development initiatives;

· Work closely with programme managers to monitor programmes for budgets, forecasts and payments, risk, value for money and results;

· Liaise with implementing partners, government and other beneficiaries to resolve delivery and other issues;

· Monitor implementation of recommendations from annual reviews, due diligence and fiduciary risk assessments and internal and external auditors.

Ensure strong coordination across UK Government departments on mutual prosperity:

· Continue to strengthen coordination and delivery of mutual prosperity results across UK government departments, including the FCO and the Department for International Trade;

· Advance the business environment reform agenda and contribute to the cross-mission efforts;

· Provide high quality private sector development inputs for programmes across DFID’s overall portfolio. This could include education and health initiatives.

Build and strengthen networks in Pakistan and the region

· Build relationships with the Government, regulatory agencies, business leaders, investors, IFIs and other bi-lateral donors;

· Work collaboratively across the mission and regional teams from FCO, UKTI, DIT and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy;

· Keep abreast of DFID and external research on policy issues such as SME financing, financial inclusion, mobile money, entrepreneurship and climate smart interventions.

Successful Candidate Criteria**

Behaviours**

Your overall application will be assessed against 4 Civil Service behaviours:

· Seeing the Big Picture - Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Adopt a government-wide perspective to ensure alignment of activity and policy. Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities;

· Making effective decisions – Encourage both innovative suggestions and challenge from others, to inform decision making. Analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. Find the best option by identifying positives, negatives, risks and implications. Present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence. Make decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular;

· Communicating and influencing – Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others. Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money. Monitor the effectiveness of own and team communications and take action to improve where necessary; and,

· Leadership - Promote and defend DFID policies and processes and role model DFID values. Ability to lead and inspire, including through change processes. Ability self-manage and work independently.

International Competencies

For interview, if selected:

• Engaging Internationally - Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. For all staff it’s about understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives.

Technical

All applicants will also be assessed against the following Private Sector Cadre technical competencies in their application:

· Economic Development, Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction - Understand the roles and relationships between different economic actors, organisations and institutions; identify constraints and opportunities for investment and growth, and for improving economic opportunities for poor people, women and excluded groups; situate economic development in wider social, political and environmental context and identify risks;

· Private Sector and Contribution to Development - Understand characteristics, business models, constraints, incentives and strategies of firms in developing countries; potential contributions to development, particularly for sustainable outcomes and women; select appropriate interventions for enabling, supporting and engaging firms; manage risks and value for money;

· Investment and Finance - Understand the importance of financial intermediation in economic development; understand financial instruments, capital markets, key actors, roles and priorities; identify opportunities and risks for donor funded investment/grants to firms; design and manage investment platforms and interventions; support PPPs; and,

· Market Systems Development - Understand the importance of markets for economic development and the lives and livelihoods of poor people; understand key features of efficient, effective and inclusive markets; analyse markets; design and manage programmes for systemic, sustainable change in key sectors and markets.

Experience**

Essential:

• Masters degree or equivalent in business administration, finance, or economics;
• At least 5 years relevant experience of designing and/or managing private/financial sector or investment programmes;
• Excellent written and spoken English;
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships;
• An ability to work proactively and independently as well as part of a team; and,
• Strong IT skills.**

Benefits package

DFID at the British High Commission offers an opportunity to work in an international environment with Professional development opportunities for Learning & Development and a good working environment. Benefits beyond the financial compensation include: medical cover; flexible working hours (36 hours net per week); 22 days paid annual leave on joining which eventually rises to 30 days.

Diversity

DFID is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race and/or ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, socio economic background, mobility, nationality, family, marital and/or partnership status and religion. Applications are welcomed and selection will be made on merit.

How to apply:

How to Apply:

• Completed DFID Job Application Form and up to date CV should be sent to AsiaHRHubRecruit@DFID.gov.uk. Please note applications without the DFID Job Application form and CV will not be considered;
• While applying for the position the Subject header should read as – Application for A2 Private Sector Adviser; A2PSDPK-DC120GR
• All applications must be received on or before 13 March 2020, 23.59 hrs PST . Late applications will not be accepted.
• To access Job Application form and Competency Framework, please visit the link below:https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/dfid-pakistan/about/recruitment#current-vacancies.
• The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational, professional and medical clearance.
• No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
• You must have or be able to obtain work authorisation for Pakistan in order to apply.

Please note that only those applicants selected for interview will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates should be available 01 and 02 April 2020 for stages 2 and 3 of the recruitment process.

Unsuccessful candidates who meet the grade requirements will be held on a reserve list for future similar positions at this grade for a period of 12 months from the date of interview.