Country Director ActionAid International Pakistan

The Organization: ActionAid International Pakistan is part of the ActionAid International Federation. It has been in Pakistan since 1992 and works with the poor, children, women and marginalized people to improve their lives towards a life of dignity. ActionAid International has recently approved its Strategy for 2012-2017, ‘People’s Action to End Poverty’, which reaffirms the organizational commitment to a human rights-based approach to development. ActionAid International Pakistan is also developing its strategic focus in alignment with the AAI Strategy. The Position: We are looking for a committed and inspirational Country Director: to align the two strategies, lead and implement the strategic mission and country strategy and lead on providing quality program management and accountability systems; organizational and team development; governance development and management; financial control and resource management; fundraising and liaison with donors to increase and diversify the resource base; policy, research and advocacy; relationship and stakeholder management at both national and international levels. Qualification & Experience: The candidate must hold a post graduate degree in social sciences, development studies or a development related field and at least 10 years proven track record with a minimum of 5 years in a top management position in development work and poverty alleviation programmes with proven initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm in managing complex activities in a changing environment •Demonstrated senior management expertise, including proven ability to develop the capacities of multi-disciplinary professional teams undertaking comprehensive poverty alleviation strategy. •Proven experience in managing complex financial control and management systems with the budget size of 5 million GBP •Demonstrated expertise in strategic and long term planning and the ability to ensure that operational plans and activities meet targets and appropriately reflect longer term perspectives. . •Proven experience of working and negotiating with Government officials and/or donors at all levels •Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialist development field. •Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to handle sensitive diplomatic and Government level negotiations on matters affecting ActionAid's Pakistan country programmes. •Sound awareness of the political, social, economic and historic environment in which ActionAid's poverty alleviation programmes are operating at both national and community levels. •Proficiency in English and a familiarity with the context of the country as it affects development strategies. Fluency of local language ( Urdu) is an advantage to the role •Strong leadership and management skills •Strong analytical/Problem solving, and management of crisis, conflict and risk Application Procedures All interested candidates should fill in the application form as accessed from the application pack. The application pack contains the Vacancy announcement, Job Description and Application form. The application pack can be accessed from www.actionaid.org To apply, submit your application forms to countrycoordination.jhb@actionaid.org closing date: 23rd August 2012. While we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates. Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.