Country Director, AKAH Pakistan
Job Description
Job Description
A new agency, the Aga Khan Agency for the Habitat (AKAH), works to ensure that people live in physical settings that are as safe as possible from the effects of natural disasters, that residents who do live in such high risk areas are able to cope with disasters in terms of preparedness and response, and that these settings provide access to social and financial services that lead to greater opportunities and a better quality of life. The new agency merges the activities of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, with its prize-winning water and sanitation programmes and low-cost habitat products, such as smoke-free stoves; the humanitarian arm of AKDN, FOCUS, which promotes disaster mitigation and resiliency and intervenes after disasters; the AKDN's Disaster Risk Management Initiative, which focuses on disaster preparedness in remote areas; and the environment- and habitat-related activities of the Aga Khan Foundation, including the Prince Sadruddin Fund for the Environment and the Foundation's highly regarded rural support programmes.
A key expectation is strong leadership in the Built Environment domain, with expertise spanning efficient and resilient buildings, sustainable infrastructure, 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
A new agency, the Aga Khan Agency for the Habitat (AKAH), works to ensure that people live in physical settings that are as safe as possible from the effects of natural disasters, that residents who do live in such high risk areas are able to cope with disasters in terms of preparedness and response, and that these settings provide access to social and financial services that lead to greater opportunities and a better quality of life. The new agency merges the activities of the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, with its prize-winning water and sanitation programmes and low-cost habitat products, such as smoke-free stoves; the humanitarian arm of AKDN, FOCUS, which promotes disaster mitigation and resiliency and intervenes after disasters; the AKDN's Disaster Risk Management Initiative, which focuses on disaster preparedness in remote areas; and the environment- and habitat-related activities of the Aga Khan Foundation, including the Prince Sadruddin Fund for the Environment and the Foundation's highly regarded rural support programmes.
- A bachelor's degree 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 experience 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.
- 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)
- 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.
A key expectation is strong leadership in the Built Environment domain, with expertise spanning efficient and resilient buildings, sustainable infrastructure, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.