Position Objective: The Deputy Country Director (DCD) serves as a strategic advisor, mentor, and coach to the Head of Programs (HoP) and Technical Deputy HoPs. The role focuses on strengthening leadership capacity, improving program quality, and fostering a learning-oriented environment, rather than direct operational ownership. The DCD supports the program team to lead effectively, make informed decisions, and continuously improve through reflective practice and hands-on learning.

Relevant Experience: Master's degree in relevant field. Minimum 10 years of overall experience with 06 years at senior management role in development sector OR Bachelor's degree in relevant field with minimum 12 years overall expereince with 08 years at senior management role in development sector

Job Description:

Mission 1: Strengthen Technical Strategy through Coaching and Guidance

• Provide strategic mentoring and advisory support to the HoP and technical teams in the implementation/formulation of country strategy
• Guide teams in aligning design with technical standards, donor expectations, and organizational strategy
• Support Technical HoPs and MEAL/IM teams to develop strong, coherent departmental strategies
• Coach the HoP and team on advocacy strategy development and positioning
• Facilitate critical thinking with the program team on humanitarian and developmental needs analysis and response design
• Encourage field exposure and reflective learning to strengthen contextual understanding
• Promote integration of gender transformative approaches through capacity strengthening rather than direct enforcement

  Mission 2: Support Effective Planning and Adaptive Implementation

• Mentor HoP and Deputy HoPs in strengthening planning processes and implementation follow-up systems
• Support the team in developing practical tools and systems for programme oversight
• Encourage proactive identification and resolution of implementation challenges through joint reflection and problem-solving
• Strengthen leadership capacity of budget holders by coaching on ownership, accountability, and adaptive management
• Guide teams in emergency preparedness planning, ensuring readiness without direct operational control

Task examples (coaching-focused):

• Facilitate monthly reflective review meetings with the technical team and SMT as needed.
• Support HoP in establishing structured review and accountability mechanisms
• Advise on decision-making processes where deviations or escalations are required

 Mission 3: Enhance Programme Quality through Capacity Building

• Support teams to diagnose and strengthen existing quality assurance systems by identifying gaps and improving integration between MEAL, technical teams, and program leadership.
• Conduct joint field visits with HoP/teams to facilitate learning discussions rather than direct supervision
• Mentor teams on strengthening accountability, feedback, and complaint response mechanisms
• Build capacity on analysis and use of program data (e.g., APRs, MEAL findings)

Task examples:

• • Facilitate learning sessions based on MEAL outcomes
  • Support teams in interpreting and improving APRs and program reporting quality

 Mission 4: Strategic Representation and External Engagement Support

• Coach the HoP and senior program staff to confidently lead representation with donors, clusters, and authorities
• Provide strategic input and backstopping for high-level engagements when required
• Support coherence and quality of project proposals and strategic messaging
• Strengthen the team's ability to lead stakeholder engagement and coordination platforms

 Mission 5: Strengthen Partnership Approaches through Guidance

• Advise on partnership strategy and partner selection processes
• Support teams in developing clear, structured partnership management systems
• Coach program teams to ensure effective partner engagement, communication, and accountability
• Provide guidance on improving collaboration models and partner performance tracking

 Mission 6: Develop Leadership and Team Capacity

• Act as a mentor and coach to direct reports, with focus on leadership development and succession planning
• Support HoP in strengthening team management practices and decision-making capacity
• Promote a culture of learning, accountability, and ethical practice aligned with ACF values
• Guide teams on efficient resource utilization and administrative oversight, without direct management responsibility

 Mission 7: Acting Country Director (When Required)

• Temporarily assume Country Director responsibilities when delegated, ensuring continuity

 Mission 8 : Ensure compliance with ACFs gender equality, child protection sensitivity and Safeguarding policies

This position is responsible for:

• Read and ensure a full understanding of ACFs Gender, Child Protection and other safeguarding policies  
• Implement all work related activities with a gender, inclusion and child protection lens
• Help build an inclusive office environment where people do not feel disadvantaged or judged according to their gender or limited due to manageable disability

Specific skills needed to perform the function

• Ability to coach and mentor technical teams.
• High level of analytical skills and insight in to innovations
• Good communication and coordination skills
• Ability to analyse, and adaptability

• National coordination bodies
• Donors
• Partners
• Research bodies
• Line ministries, as required

This Job Description may evolve according to the needs of the mission and in view the ever changing scope of your designation.

Action against Hunger is committed to the prevention of risks related to abuse, sexual exploitation and the promotion of gender equality and its diversity. Action Against Hunger is an employer that does not tolerate Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls. The Pakistan Mission encourages the application of the women / men / transgender/ disabled workers. Action Against Hunger's recruitment process is free of charge, no compensation of any form shall be requested from a candidate. It reflects the major policies and its charter through its professionalism and impartiality. If you observe behavior in opposition to these values during this process, please report it to the appropriate teams. All persons hired by Action Against Hunger will also be checked for compliance with the "anti-terrorist" lists, while respecting the rights of employees and the confidentiality of personal data.