Country Director

Country Director

Aga Khan Agency for Habitat

Islamabad, Pakistan

Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakista n invites applications for the role of Country Directo r. The incumbent in the role will provide strategic, programmatic, technical, and operational leadership for AKAH Pakistan. He/ she will ensure that AKAH’s mandate - building safe, climate-resilient, and sustainable communitie s - is delivered through high-quality programs, strong systems, and effective partnerships.

A key expectation is strong leadership in th e Built Environme nt domain, with expertise spanning efficient an d resilient buildings, sustainable infrastructu re, and enabling actions (including energy auditing and EDGE Assessment services, innovation, and capacity building). The individual must have a robust engineering/ built-environment background and demonstrate excellence in stakeholder management with government, AKDN agencies, donors, and communities.

The position is based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategic & Programmatic Leadership

• Lead strategic positioning of AKAH Pakistan in alignment with AKF/AKDN priorities and national development agendas.
• Drive country program planning, resource allocation, and implementation across all thematic areas of the Built Environment.
• Ensure program quality, technical rigor, and integration of BE standards in all construction, retrofitting, and sustainable infrastructure initiatives.
• Strengthen evidence-based decision-making through MERL, research, and knowledge management.

Built Environment Leadership

• Oversee design, review, and delivery of climate-smart, energy-efficient, and hazard-resilient buildings and facilities across AKDN and community systems.
• Guide engineering quality assurance, compliance with national codes and AKDN standards (Green Building Guidelines; Planning & Design; Structural Safety & Location, HSE, etc.)
• Lead planning and implementation of sustainable infrastructure: water systems, sanitation, mobility infrastructure, environmental services, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions.
• Promote enabling systems, including habitat planning, risk assessments, innovation pilots, capacity strengthening, and policy engagement.

Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent AKAH Pakistan with government institutions, donors, UN agencies, academic institutions, the private sector, and strategic partners.
• Strengthen collaboration with AKDN agencies on integrated BE and resilience initiatives.
• Engage community institutions to ensure inclusive and community-driven program delivery.
• Develop and maintain strong donor relations and contribute to resource mobilization.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversee operational systems, compliance, HSE standards, procurement, and safeguarding.
• Provide leadership for annual budgeting, financial oversight, and risk management.
• Ensure effective management of regional programs and field operations.
• Strengthen organizational systems to support scale, efficiency, and accountability.

People & Organizational Development

• Lead, empower, and mentor multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technical experts, support staff, and development professionals.
• Promote performance excellence, professional development, diversity, and a culture of integrity and learning.
• Ensure strong succession planning and alignment of staffing with strategic priorities.

Education, Experience & Skills

• A bachelor’s degr ee in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, or a related built-environment field (a Master’s degree in these fields is preferred). A Master’s degree in Project Management will be considered an added advantage.
• 12–15 years of progressively responsible leadership experie nce in infrastructure, built environment, climate resilience, or development programs.
• Proven experience managing large teams, complex programs, and multimillion-dollar portfolios.
• Strong track record engaging government, donors, community institutions, and development partners.

Preferred

• Experience within AKDN or similar international networks.
• Knowledge of Pakistan’s regulatory, engineering, and community development context.
• Credentials in green building standards (EDGE, LEED) and project management (PMP)

Core Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Engineering and built-environment expertise.
• Partnership and diplomacy skills.
• Program quality and operational management.
• Financial and risk management.
• Leadership, collaboration, and communication.
• Innovative and adaptive problem-solving.
• Strong commitment to AKDN values.

Please apply via the AKDN Career Centre via www.the.akdn/careers/2270751

Closin g date 18 January 2026