Aiming Change for Tomorrow (ACT) International is a humanitarian and development organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and marginalized communities through sustainable development, emergency response, and social protection programmes. ACT works closely with institutional donors, government authorities, and corporate partners to deliver transparent, accountable, and high-impact interventions across Pakistan.

Project Background

ACT International, with support from the Donor, is implementing Output 3 of the “DRM through Anticipatory Action in Punjab” project to strengthen district and community emergency preparedness and response in the flood- and climate-vulnerable districts of Multan, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur. These districts, located along major river systems and canal networks, face recurrent riverine floods, flash flooding, and related hazards that regularly damage housing, crops, community infrastructure and livelihoods, particularly among poor rural households, women and other marginalised groups. Although DDMAs exist in each district, their operational readiness is constrained by limited trained response teams, under-resourced District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs), and weak linkages with community-level structures, resulting in delayed, reactive responses when disasters strike.

Building on ACT’s prior experience in community-based DRM and Donor Funded project-supported emergency and cash programming in South Punjab, Output 3 focuses on forming, training and equipping District Emergency Response Teams (DERTs), strengthening and operationalising DEOCs, and establishing Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in high-risk villages in partnership with DDMAs, Rescue 1122 and other line departments. Through intensive capacity building, provision of district and community response kits, regular coordination meetings and simulation exercises, the output aims to ensure that districts can coordinate timely early response and that communities have organised, trained and equipped structures capable of undertaking first response actions such as warning dissemination, basic search and rescue, first aid and safe evacuation.

Purpose

Provide overall leadership for Output 3 to operationalize DERTs, DEOCs and CERTs, ensuring coherent planning, quality implementation and coordination with DDMAs, Rescue 1122 and other line departments.

Key responsibilities

• Lead work-planning and execution of all Output 3 activities: district ERT formation and training, response kits, DEOC strengthening, CERT formation and training.
• Coordinate with DDMAs, Rescue 1122, line departments and door for design and delivery of five-day ERT trainings, CERT trainings and DEOC SOPs.
• Supervise District Coordinators, Social Organisers (SOs), Admin/HR & Log Officers, and Finance Officer assigned to Output 3.
• Ensure integration of gender, protection, inclusion and community participation in ERT/CERT composition and training.
• Oversee procurement and distribution of district and community emergency response kits; ensure proper inventory and handover to DDMAs and CERTs.
• Monitor progress against Output 3 indicators (number of ERTs/DEOCs/CERTs formed, trained and equipped; simulations conducted) and provide regular implementation updates.
• Prepare and submit timely progress, training, and activity reports to the Project Manager and M&E team, highlighting achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
• Coordinate and collaborate with NIDM and Rescue 1122 on curricula, trainers and simulation design for ERT and CERT capacity building.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s in Disaster Management, Social Sciences or related field
• 7+ years’ experience managing DRM/emergency preparedness projects, preferably with government.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder coordination skills; experience with WFP/UN projects is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions (PDMA, DDMAs, social protection, line departments).
• Strong understanding of WFP/UN project modalities, results frameworks and budgeting.

Key competencies

• Strategic leadership and team management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and representation skills.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing abilities.
• Ability to travel frequently to other districts.

Core Values & Safeguarding

ACT International is committed to integrity, accountability, inclusion, and safeguarding. The post holder is expected to uphold ACT’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, and ethical standards at all times.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This position will be based in Multan with travel to Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur.