Project Specialist, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Project Specialist, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Northern, Pakistan (Skardu)

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, non-profit, autonomous and self-governing international university and healthcare organization with 13 teaching sites, 7 hospitals and 325 outreach and other health facilities located in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out a wide range of research and has campuses, programs and teaching hospitals providing world class healthcare services in Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Afghanistan and UK with over 3,000 students and more than 17,000 employees. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) provides a vibrant identity for ophthalmology at AKU that delivers subspecialized and multidisciplinary services integrated with an enabling environment that supports outstanding teaching/learning, research, partnerships, and leadership development. The department currently runs ophthalmology residency program, vitreoretinal fellowship program, and allied health training program. In line with its strategic priorities DOVS is actively expanding its Community Ophthalmology portfolio. Building on successful interventions in Skardu and upcoming initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan, AKU is expanding its community eye health portfolio, focusing on improving access, strengthening referral systems, and enhancing capacity of local health systems.

Position Overview

AKU invites applications for the position of Project Specialist to support implementation and coordination of eye health programs in Northern Pakistan. The incumbent will play a critical role in ensuring continuity of ongoing program activities, coordination with stakeholders, and readiness for scale-up of upcoming donor-funded projects, including school-based vision screening and community outreach initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible to:

• Develop detailed work plans, timelines, and milestones for effective project execution
• Lead day-to-day field operations, including planning, logistics, and implementation
• Oversee rollout of school-based and community vision screening activities
• Coordinate training programs for teachers, health workers, and field teams
• Liaise with district education and health departments, hospitals, and key stakeholders
• Ensure government engagement and alignment with regional priorities
• Strengthen partnerships with communities, schools, and implementing partners
• Coordinate follow-up activities, including spectacle distribution and post-screening tracking
• Supervise optometrists, data collectors, and field coordinators
• Ensure high-quality data collection, validation, reporting, and tracking of deliverables
• Monitor project expenditures and ensure compliance with donor and institutional guidelines
• Identify implementation challenges, ensure quality standards, and support scale-up readiness

Requirements

You should have:

• Master’s degree in business administration, project management or public health
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in project management, preferably in public health or community-based programs
• Demonstrated experience working in remote or underserved areas, preferably Gilgit-Baltistan

Strong experience in:

• Field supervision and program implementation
• Stakeholder coordination (government, NGOs, communities)
• Training and capacity building
• Budget drafting & financial management
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Comprehensive Employment References will be conducted.