Manager Climate Change

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are Education & ECD, Health & Nutrition, Rural Development, Work & Enterprise, Civil Society, Agriculture & Food Security and Climate Change & Resilience.

The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan (AKF(P)) is seeking a high caliber professional for the following position to be based in Islamabad, Pakistan and with frequent travel to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC) areas.

“Manager, Climate Change” 

The incumbent will report to the Director Rural Development, AKF(P).

Background: 

The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan has a robust and expanding portfolio of multi-sectorial initiatives, across country that focuses on improving quality of life of the people in AKDN programme areas through several interventions in rural development, health, and education. In collaboration with other AKDN agencies in Pakistan, the focus of AKF(P) has also been on establishing inclusive and responsive civil society and creating climate resilience solutions to address current and future challenges faced by communities in AKDN programme areas in the country particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral region (GBC).

Environment and Climate is a core strategic priority and cross-cutting theme for AKDN. AKF(P) works with communities, governments, civil society, and the private sector to enable the vulnerable to not only survive but thrive in the age of climate change. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop a robust, impactful, and forward-looking climate resilience portfolio in Pakistan, and cultivate a strategic direction for relevant programming. Adopt Nature based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), harnessing biodiversity and ecosystem services to reduce vulnerability and build resilience of communities to climate change in the AKDN programme areas in Pakistan.  
• Drive the development of knowledge and funding partnerships in close collaboration with partnership function. Ensure concepts and proposals are technically sound and responsive to both institutional and funding partner priorities.
• Build and maintain close working relationships and coordination with relevant departments of AKF(P), other AKDN agencies and other stakeholders including Government.
• Work in close collaboration and coordination with AKF(P) Programme Team. and concerned members of the Global Programme Team
• Lead the institutions efforts on climate adaptation and mitigation programming and help advance carbon offset programming of AKF(P).
• Help AKF(P) to engage in local and national level policy dialogues by leveraging programming evidence. 
• Cultivate relationships with AKDN agencies to develop and scale innovative and relevant programming in the areas of climate smart agriculture.
• Analyze technical information and trends to provide succinct, technically sound advice to integrate climate resilience into existing programmes. Support the development and use of monitoring, evaluation and learning tools to capture key information and learnings from climate resilience programming.
• Lead on institutional carbon mitigation and adaptation measures in close coordination with other AKDN agencies and AKF(P) programme team.
• Work closely with AKDN and Implementation Partners to groom staff at the field level on climate change as projects become operational and re-orient existing staff on this new theme.

Required Qualifications & Experience  

• At least five (5) years relevant experience working in Climate Resilience, Climate Change, Environment, and/or other relevant sectors, particularly in Pakistan.
• Master´s degree in Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resource Management, Agronomy, Forestry, Biology, Geo technology and/or a related field.
• Demonstrated field experience, interacting and mobilizing with mountain communities on climate resilience interventions, preferably in Pakistan or elsewhere in South Asia.
• Specialized knowledge and demonstratable expertise in climate programme implementation and management at a Non-Governmental Organization, Donor Agency, Private Sector or equivalent.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership, programme management, field work, communication, strategy, programme design, and teamwork.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all levels of management.
• AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. AKF(P) recruitment and selection policy and procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in accordance with AKF(P)’s Safeguarding Policy and expects all staff, volunteers and representatives to share this commitment. Background checks and approved vetting procedure will be required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is December 07, 2022. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.