Program Director

Job Posting Organization:
Action contre la Faim (ACF) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1979, dedicated to combating hunger worldwide. With a strong humanitarian charter emphasizing independence, neutrality, non-discrimination, direct access to victims, professionalism, and transparency, ACF has established its identity over the past 45 years. The organization's mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection, and treatment of undernutrition, particularly during and after emergencies related to conflicts and natural disasters. In 2024, ACF provided assistance to over 26 million people across 57 countries, coordinating its programs around seven key areas: Nutrition and Health, Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security and Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Advocacy, Climate, and Research. More information can be found on their website at www.actioncontrelafaim.org.

Job Overview:
The primary purpose of the Program Director role is to support high-quality program delivery and ensure the successful implementation of ongoing projects within ACF Pakistan. This position plays a crucial role in strengthening ACF Pakistan's strategic positioning for business development while fostering and maintaining strong partnerships with local organizations. The Program Director will also focus on enhancing leadership capacities within the program team, particularly by supporting the Head of Programs, Deputy Head of Programs, MEAL team, and Program Development Manager. Key missions include strengthening program quality and efficiency, supporting business development and positioning, enhancing technical strategy and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design quality, and reinforcing partnerships and localization efforts. Additionally, the Program Director may act as the Country Director when required, ensuring that the organization's objectives are met effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Director will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to:

• Strengthening program quality and efficiency by implementing best practices and ensuring adherence to ACF's standards.
• Supporting business development initiatives and positioning ACF as a leader in the humanitarian and development sectors.
• Enhancing technical strategy and program design quality to ensure that projects are impactful and sustainable.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with local organizations to foster collaboration and enhance program delivery.
• Strengthening the leadership capacity of program teams through mentorship and training.
• Acting as the Country Director when required, providing strategic direction and oversight for all country operations.
• Engaging in regular monitoring and evaluation of program activities to assess effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
• Representing ACF in external meetings and forums to advocate for the organization's mission and objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree (or a Bachelor's degree combined with substantial international and field experience) in International Relations, Development Studies, Public Health, or another technical discipline relevant to ACF's programs. Additionally, candidates should possess at least 5 years of experience in leading development and humanitarian program portfolios in challenging contexts. Prior experience as a Deputy Country Director for Programs is preferred, along with technical knowledge in health, nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), or Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), with a strong preference for health and nutrition. Experience with all stages of project cycle management, including participatory tools and methodologies, is essential. Strong management skills and multitasking abilities are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Development Studies, Public Health, or a related technical discipline. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with significant international and field experience may be considered sufficient. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of humanitarian and development work and for effectively leading programs that address hunger and malnutrition.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in leading development and humanitarian programs, particularly in challenging contexts. Candidates should have prior experience in a senior management role, such as Deputy Country Director for Programs, and possess a strong understanding of the technical aspects of health, nutrition, and related fields. Familiarity with donor guidelines and procedures, as well as experience in project cycle management, is also essential for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position, with strong drafting abilities being particularly important. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, especially if they are relevant to the regions in which ACF operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a fixed-term contract under French legislation for a duration of 6 months. The monthly gross salary ranges from 2899 to 3376 euros, depending on experience, and includes a 13th-month payment. Non-French citizens will have their pension insurance reimbursed at a rate of 16% of the gross monthly salary. Employees can expect an annual salary increase of 6% after each 12 months of continuous contract. Additional benefits include a monthly per diem and living allowance of 519 USD net, a country allowance of 300 euros, and a child allowance of 1500 euros per year for each child present in the country of origin (up to a maximum of 6000 euros per year). Transportation and accommodation costs will be covered, and ACF provides 100% coverage for health and repatriation insurance fees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of paid leave per year, 20 rest and recuperation (RnR) days, and airfare reimbursement for RnR travel. Career development support and access to an e-learning platform are also provided, along with field trips to regions such as Sindh, KPK, and Baluchistan.