Head of Disaster and Climate Resilience

ACT International; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT International seeks a Head of Disaster and Climate Resilience to lead strategy and technical directions across DRR, climate resilience and emergency response. The role drives program quality, integrates risk reduction, climate adaptation and anticipatory action, and guides field teams on design and implementation.

Strong leadership and collaboration with partners are essential. The candidate will advance to ensure alignment with policies, standards, and donor expectations, while promoting

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Disaster Management, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences, Climate Adaptation, Development Studies, or a relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for ACT's Disaster and Climate Resilience portfolio.

Job description

ACT International is seeking a qualified and experienced Head of Disaster and Climate Resilience to provide strategic and technical leadership across its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Resilience, and Emergency Response portfolio.

The position will lead sectoral strategy, strengthen programme quality, provide technical guidance to project teams, contribute to resource mobilization and proposal development, and promote evidence-based approaches to disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, anticipatory action, emergency response, and resilient recovery.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic and technical leadership for ACT's Disaster and Climate Resilience portfolio.

Ensure alignment of programmes with organizational priorities, relevant national policies, disaster management frameworks, and international standards.

Promote integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, preparedness, early warning, anticipatory action, emergency response, and resilient recovery.

Identify emerging disaster and climate risks, technical trends, policy developments, and opportunities for programme expansion.

Collaborate with the Program Development Unit (PDU) in developing concept notes, proposals, Theories of Change (ToC), and technical intervention strategies.

Ensure programme designs are informed by risk and vulnerability assessments, climate information, local context, community priorities, and gender and social inclusion considerations.

Provide technical oversight and guidance to Project and Provincial Managers to ensure programme quality and effective implementation.

Advise project teams on disaster risk assessments, community-based DRR, preparedness planning, early warning systems, climate adaptation, and recovery interventions.

Supervise and coordinate Sectoral Programme Officers and specialized technical consultants.

Review and validate technical reports, assessments, case studies, and donor deliverables in coordination with the PMER Unit.

Build strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders.

Represent ACT in relevant disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, humanitarian coordination, and sectoral working groups.

Promote organizational learning, innovation, and evidence-based improvements across disaster and climate resilience interventions.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Master's degree in Disaster Management, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences, Climate Adaptation, Development Studies, or a relevant discipline.

Minimum 8-10 years of progressive professional experience in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, humanitarian programming, or related technical programme management.

At least 4 years of experience in a senior technical leadership position within an international or national NGO.

Proven experience in developing technical proposals, Theories of Change, strategic plans, and programme designs for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience initiatives.

Strong understanding of disaster risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, climate risks, community-based DRR, early warning and early action, anticipatory action, and recovery programming.

Demonstrated experience in providing technical oversight throughout the programme lifecycle, including assessment, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

Good understanding of relevant national policies, institutional frameworks, international technical standards, and donor requirements related to disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and humanitarian programming.

Strong strategic planning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent technical leadership and programme quality assurance capabilities.

Ability to advise, influence, and coordinate matrix teams without direct administrative authority.

Strong partnership development, negotiation, donor liaison, and external representation skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field locations.

ACT International is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and maintaining a workplace free from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. ACT follows a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), abuse of authority, and any form of misconduct.

Relevant Experience:4 -5 years’ experience, preferably in t....