SOCIAL COHESION / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Act International; Muzaffargarh; On-site; PKR 669,600 - 1,004,400; Full time

Job summary

Act International in Pakistan’s South Punjab seeks a Social Cohesion / Community Development Specialist to lead inclusive community dialogue and conflict-sensitive programming for a disaster risk reduction project.

The role focuses on youth and marginalized groups, capacity building, coordination with local authorities, and documenting outcomes to inform learning and enhance resilience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Community Development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in social cohesion or inclusive community development.
• Experience with youth and marginalized groups, preferably in South Punjab.
• Strong facilitation, mediation and participatory approaches.
• Excellent Urdu and local language communication; English report writing.
• Sound understanding of peacebuilding, social cohesion and do-no-harm.
• Ability to work in fragile or polarized contexts with high ethics.

Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate community dialogue processes, peace circles and social cohesion activities involving youth, women and other groups.
• Integrate conflict-sensitive programming principles into all project activities and train field staff on these approaches.
• Support formation and strengthening of inclusive community platforms, committees or youth forums for joint decision-making.
• Identify and address local drivers of tension or exclusion through tailored community development initiatives (e.g. joint DRR actions, public works, shared services).
• Develop and deliver capacity-building modules on social cohesion, inclusive participation and civic engagement.
• Coordinate with local government, civil society and traditional/community leaders to foster collaborative relationships.
• Document outcomes of social cohesion interventions and contribute to project learning products.

Skills

Facilitation

Mediation

Participatory approaches

Stakeholder management

Conflict-sensitive programming

Urdu/Local language communication

English report writing

Education

Master’s degree in Social Sciences/Peace & Conflict Studies/Community Development

Job description

SOCIAL COHESION / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

We are seeking specialist profiles for a potential community‑based disaster risk reduction and resilience project expected to commence in August 2026 in the districts of Multan and Muzaffargarh in South Punjab. The initiative will work with flood‑affected communities to strengthen local preparedness systems through youth‑led and community‑driven approaches, including the formation and capacity building of community preparedness groups.

The project will focus on practical disaster preparedness, contingency planning, early warning dissemination, first‑response coordination, and social cohesion, with a strong emphasis on the meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Through targeted training, mock drills, community dialogue sessions and awareness campaigns, the project aims to help communities anticipate, withstand and recover from climate‑induced shocks while reinforcing human security and linkages with local disaster management institutions.

Purpose of the position

The Social Cohesion / Community Development Specialist will lead interventions that promote inclusive community dialogue, conflict‑sensitive programming and collaborative action, contributing to human security and resilience.

Key responsibilities

• Design and facilitate community dialogue processes, peace circles and social cohesion activities involving youth, women and other groups.
• Integrate conflict‑sensitive programming principles into all project activities and train field staff on these approaches.
• Support formation and strengthening of inclusive community platforms, committees or youth forums for joint decision‑making.
• Identify and address local drivers of tension or exclusion through tailored community development initiatives (e.g. joint DRR actions, public works, shared services).
• Develop and deliver capacity‑building modules on social cohesion, inclusive participation and civic engagement.
• Coordinate with local government, civil society and traditional/community leaders to foster collaborative relationships.
• Document outcomes of social cohesion interventions and contribute to project learning products.

Required qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies, Community Development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in social cohesion, conflict‑sensitive programming, community dialogue or inclusive community development.
• Experience working with diverse communities, including youth and marginalized groups, preferably in South Punjab.
• Strong facilitation, mediation and participatory approaches.
• Excellent communication skills in Urdu and local languages; English report writing ability.
• Sound understanding of peacebuilding, social cohesion and do‑no‑harm.
• Strong community engagement and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work sensitively in fragile or polarized contexts.
• High ethical standards and respect for diversity.

Our organization is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, safeguarding, and accountability. We have a zero‑tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation, abuse, sexual harassment, and all forms of misconduct.