As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people in over a hundred countries. We do this by focusing on our mission and living the values that drive our organization. A career at CARE is an opportunity to be part of a movement that brings communities together to solve complex problems and foster lasting change throughout the world. We seek individuals who are passionate about humanitarian and development work, collaborate well with others, embrace learning and innovation, and deliver results.

Job Summary:

Micro and small enterprises are the economic backbone of the Pakistani economy. There are more than 5 million small and medium enterprises in Pakistan, representing 40% of Pakistan’s GDP. They increase employment and reinvest in local communities. However, entrepreneurs—especially women—remain unserved or underserved by financial and non-financial service providers.

To unlock the power of entrepreneurs worldwide, CARE and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (the Center) launched Ignite in 2020 with funding from the Mastercard Impact Fund. This global partnership dramatically accelerated the growth of enterprises while advancing financial security and promoting inclusive growth. Through the Ignite program, CARE supported 45,000 entrepreneurs to secure loans from financial service providers (FSPs) and strengthened the capacity of 3,200 entrepreneurs in Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.

With a proven model that delivers meaningful financial inclusion for women-led micro and small enterprises (W-MSEs), which aligns with Financial Services Provider (FSP) incentives and drives sustainable business outcomes, CARE and the Center launched the next phase, Strive Women, in 2023.

Strive Women, a four-year program, strengthens the financial health of women-led small businesses in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam. Working with local partners, Strive Women uses women-centered design to deliver tailored financial products and support services, including digital skills building and network strengthening. The program addresses unique barriers faced by women-led businesses while testing innovations in sustainable business practices and childcare, which both disproportionately impact women.

CARE activates local ecosystems to make market systems work for women entrepreneurs. While directly supporting over 300,000 entrepreneurs to build financial resilience, manage and grow businesses, gain confidence, and improve quality of life, Strive Women aims to reach over 6 million entrepreneurs through its campaigns. In Pakistan, the program aims to reach 1.5 million entrepreneurs through campaigns while directly supporting over 100,000 entrepreneurs (70% women) to grow their businesses and increase their economic potential.

The Team Lead will collaborate closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT) on resource mobilization, including the development of concept notes and the identification of potential funding opportunities.

Job Responsibilities:

1- Strategic Leadership (20% of time)

• Provide strategic direction and vision for the implementation of the Strive Women program and other financial inclusion and market systems development projects, ensuring alignment with CARE's mission and objectives.
• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships (development, negotiations, agreements), especially with financial service providers (FSPs).
• Provide technical guidance to the team to design and deliver financial and non-financial services with local partners using principles of designing thinking.
• Oversee all aspects of program administration, operations, implementation, and fiscal management to ensure technical and financial activity aligns with scope and budget allocations, internal policies, and donor regulations.
• Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with donor guidelines and within set timelines to achieve objectives.
• Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, identify challenges, and facilitate adaptive management.

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with relevant government agencies, financial service providers, civil society organizations, other stakeholders to leverage resources and maximize impact including leading the Strive Women learning network to demonstrate ecosystem thought leadership.
• Establish strong relationship with project donors and national and regional representatives for smooth implementation.
• Lead team to provide effective coordination between and guidance to implementing partners, regional and district governments, program participants, and other key stakeholders.
• Work closely with local partners and ensure all project activities are implemented in time ensuring quality and technical and financial compliance of donor and CARE's requirements

3- Team Management (30% of time)

• Lead and manage a diverse team of professionals, providing guidance and support to ensure high performance and professional development to deliver quality outputs; this includes setting key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with team goals, ensuring the right capabilities on the team and ensuring team members are motivated and engaged. Responsible for team capacity, performance management, and hiring.
• Proactively foster a team culture based on mutual respect and accountability and commitment to upholding CARE’s core values.

4- Representation and Reporting (20% of time)

• Prepare regular reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including donors, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned; ensure reporting deadlines and structured meetings with all stakeholders and donors.
• Represent CARE and the projects with key stakeholders, and at conferences, workshops, meetings, and other relevant industry forums, advocating for policy changes and promoting greater awareness of issues related to financial inclusion and market systems development

5- Other Responsibilities (5% of the time)

• Any other tasks or responsibilities based on organizational and programming needs as assigned by the Line Manager.

B) Experience/ Technical Skills 

Required

• Overall 15 years or more experience with minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in leading projects/departments with a bank, fintech, microfinance institution, private sector or non-government organization (NGO) managing financial inclusion and/or market systems development projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in formal financial services (MFI and bank products and services)
• Demonstrated understanding of economic and social inclusion, especially engaging with women and girls and other marginalized groups/ communities as well as a strong understanding of government policy on financial inclusion and implementation at both the community and decision maker levels.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with a proven track record of leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering results in challenging environments
• Experience of managing financial inclusion projects funded by corporate donors or other institutional donors
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and networking skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and community leaders. Fluency in English and Urdu is required.

Desired

• Overall 15 years or more experience with minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in leading projects/departments with a bank, fintech, microfinance institution, private sector or non-government organization (NGO) managing financial inclusion and/or market systems development projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in formal financial services (MFI and bank products and services).
• Demonstrated understanding of economic and social inclusion, especially engaging with women and girls and other marginalized groups/ communities as well as a strong understanding of government policy on financial inclusion and implementation at both the community and decision maker levels.