Job Description

Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Position Status Full-time,

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO PAKISTAN NATIONALS ONLY.

closing date: Please apply by November 30th.

Risk Level: X Level 3 ☐ Level 2 ☐ Level 1

Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned, non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global. Learn more here. As the transition is being implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and commitments continue without interruption.

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Pakistan since 1986, focusing its interventions on Public Health, (Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, Tuberculosis Control), Economic Opportunities, Water Security, Food Security and Disaster Relief and Recovery. Currently, with funding from Global Fund and the Gates Foundation, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities to improve health services, create economic opportunities and build resilience. Our team is comprised of a hundred percent Pakistan nationals (475 team members). We work hand in hand with the Pakistan Government and in partnership with national and international stakeholders present in our sectors of work. Mercy Corps Pakistan implements its programs in 120 districts of the country through offices in Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore, and Hyderabad.

General Position Summary

The Country Director (CD) is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Pakistan, resulting in lasting improvement in the lives of our team members and program participants. S/He helps formulate the strategic direction for the country program in line with the local context and Mercy Corps’ 10-year Pathway to Possibility. The CD has supervisory responsibility for the country team and provides overall guidance and management of a portfolio of health, education, protection, livelihoods, and emergency response programs with an average yearly budget of USD 15 million. S/he is also responsible for the implementation of all security protocols. The CD develops sustainable, multi-sector programming and is accountable to beneficiaries and donors, placing a high value on innovative solutions to development issues and creative partnerships in tough environments. The CD provides overall team management, capacity building, mentoring to a large team spread across Pakistan, and ensures adherence to Mercy Corps policies and procedures including Mercy Corps’ code of ethics.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• In the evolving context, with a participatory approach, formulate and communicate a clear vision to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and plans.
• Lead the annual country strategy planning and update process. Ensure the alignment of the country strategy to Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
• Use technical support teams collaboratively as well as external consultants that could support our business development and/or quality program implementation efforts.
• Share Mercy Corps Pakistan successes and technical approaches with other Mercy Corps teams in the region and/or globally. Promote cross collaboration and learning.
• Explore and present funding opportunities that integrate initiatives and leverage impact for the communities; support and direct fund-raising activities with institutional and private donors.
• Ensure networking with key donors as well as government stakeholders to grow Mercy Corps Pakistan’s programs in areas such as food security, economic opportunity, water security. The CD will especially explore and build climate change resilience and DRR programming.

Influence & Representation

• Proactively represent Mercy Corps with all levels of government, as well as donor, partners, local and international stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
• Ensure compliance to the MoU/registration signed with the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan
• Work with the team especially the Security and Government Liaison manager to ensure timely approvals, No Objection Certificates for program implementation
• Develop and nurture relationships with relevant government departments for timely implementation of planned interventions
• Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, etc.
• Develop and foster partnerships that add value to our programming strengths and position us to be competitive for large funding opportunities.
• Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and understand and live Mercy Corps organizational culture and values.
• Oversee and lead training and learning processes (including People with Possibility) where team members internalize and behave according to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and all our Ethics Policies.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Facilitate meetings and processes where team members feel empowered and equipped to take actions towards achieving our programs’ and agency goals.
• Facilitate and lead regular staff meetings and ad-com meetings. Follow up with required actions as needed.

Program Operations Management

• Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
• Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors
• Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Security

• Liaise with the Regional and Global security team and Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.

Accountability

Supervisory Responsibility: Director of Programs, Senior Finance Manager, Senior Program Manager, HR Manager, Manager Security and Govt. Liaison, Operations Manager, Ethics and Internal Control Manager, Team Leader Quetta, Business Development Manager

Reports Directly To: Regional Director

Works Directly With: Deputy Regional Directors, Asia Desk teams and other teams at Headquarters as needed.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent in relevant field required.
• 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large and complex development programs.
• 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
• Previous experience as a country director for large country offices
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners, UN and other stakeholders in complex environments.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing large teams in complex operating environment
• Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, USDS, Global Fund, FCDO, EC, UN, private donors, BHA, ECHO
• Experience and expertise in climate change, resilience, and disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction will be preferred
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
• Proven capacity to analyze the political and social context in which our organization operates to make informed decisions.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Urdu and other local languages is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous work experience in Pakistan required, experience in the region and in insecure environments is preferred.
• Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster response as appropriate.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in emergency response preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Pakistan CD will be a gracious, personable leader who has an energizing effect on our team, partners and communities. A politically savvy, balanced, and astute individual who has the persona to successfully convene and partner with relevant stakeholders in the ever shifting and complex ecosystem in Pakistan. Calm and emotionally intelligent, personifying grace under fire, especially in leading our team through the management of urgent, security and emergency situations. S/he will have the vision to see possibilities for positive change where others see deprivation; and be able to lead the design and implementation of bold solutions. S/he will skillfully acquire support of donors and regional partners for meeting the priorities of our communities while providing effective leadership. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The CD is based in Islamabad. This position requires approximately 15%-20% of time of travel by terrestrial or aerial means of transportation to field offices that present stable, moderate and high levels of operational risks.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and participate in the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.