Country Director Pakistan - Islamabad, Pakistan
- Organisation: Prosper Global
- Location: Pakistan
- Contract: Job
- Deadline: 30 November 2026
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Position Status Full-time,
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO PAKISTAN NATIONALS ONLY.
closing date: Please apply by November 30th.
Risk Level: X Level 3 ☐ Level 2 ☐ Level 1
Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.
Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned, non-direct contact with children.
Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global. Learn more here . As the transition is being implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and commitments continue without interruption.
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been present in Pakistan since 1986, focusing its interventions on Public Health, (Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, Tuberculosis Control), Economic Opportunities, Water Security, Food Security and Disaster Relief and Recovery. Currently, with funding from Global Fund and the Gates Foundation, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities to improve health services, create economic opportunities and build resilience. Our team is comprised of a hundred percent Pakistan nationals (475 team members). We work hand in hand with the Pakistan Government and in partnership with national and international stakeholders present in our sectors of work. Mercy Corps Pakistan implements its programs in 120 districts of the country through offices in Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore, and Hyderabad.
General Position Summary
The Country Director (CD) is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Pakistan, resulting in lasting improvement in the lives of our team members and program participants. S/He helps formulate the strategic direction for the country program in line with the local context and Mercy Corps’ 10-year Pathway to Possibility. The CD has supervisory responsibility for the country team and provides overall guidance and management of a portfolio of health, education, protection, livelihoods, and emergency response programs with an average yearly budget of USD 15 million. S/he is also responsible for the implementation of all security protocols. The CD develops sustainable, multi-sector programming and is accountable to beneficiaries and donors, placing a high value on innovative solutions to development issues and creative partnerships in tough environments. The CD provides overall team management, capacity building, mentoring to a large team spread across Pakistan, and ensures adherence to Mercy Corps policies and procedures including Mercy Corps’ code of ethics.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
• In the evolving context, with a participatory approach, formulate and communicate a clear vision to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and plans.
• Lead the annual country strategy planning and update process. Ensure the alignment of the country strategy to Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
• Use technical support teams collaboratively as well as external consultants that could support our business development and/or quality program implementation efforts.
• Share Mercy Corps Pakistan successes and technical approaches with other Mercy Corps teams in the region and/or globally. Promote cross collaboration and learning.
• Explore and present funding opportunities that integrate initiatives and leverage impact for the communities; support and direct fund-raising activities with institutional and private donors.
• Ensure networking with key donors as well as government stakeholders to grow Mercy Corps Pakistan’s programs in areas such as food security, economic opportunity, water security. The CD will especially explore and build climate change resilience and DRR programming.
Influence & Representation
• Proactively represent Mercy Corps with all levels of government, as well as donor, partners, local and international stakeholders, and the communities we serve.
• Ensure compliance to the MoU/registration signed with the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan
• Work with the team especially the Security and Government Liaison manager to ensure timely approvals, No Objection Certificates for program implementation
• Develop and nurture relationships with relevant government departments for timely implementation of planned interventions
• Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, etc.
• Develop and foster partnerships that add value to our programming strengths and position us to be competitive for large funding opportunities.
• Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.
Team Management
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and understand and live Mercy Corps organizational culture and values.
• Oversee and lead training and learning processes (including People with Possibility) where team members internalize and behave according to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and all our Ethics Policies.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Facilitate meetings and processes where team members feel empowered and equipped to take actions towards achieving our programs’ and agency goals.
• Facilitate and lead regular staff meetings and ad-com meetings. Follow up with required actions as needed.
Program Operations Management
• Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
• Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors
• Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
Finance & Compliance Management
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Security
• Liaise with the Regional and Global security team and Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.
Accountability
Supervisory Responsibility: Director of Programs, Senior Finance Manager, Senior Program Manager, HR Manager, Manager Security and Govt. Liaison, Operations Manager, Ethics and Internal Control Manager, Team Leader Quetta, Business Development Manager
Reports Directly To: Regional Director
Works Directly With: Deputy Regional Directors, Asia Desk teams and other teams at Headquarters as needed.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects
Knowledge and Experience
• MA/S or equivalent in relevant field required.
• 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large and complex development programs.
• 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
• Previous experience as a country director for large country offices