Organizational Context

A leading humanitarian organization in Pakistan, committed to preventing and alleviating human suffering by mobilizing the power of humanity through volunteers. 

Role Purpose

The Deputy Director Health & Nutrition provides strategic, technical and managerial leadership for the design, coordination, implementation and quality assurance of health programming across national and provincial levels. The role supports the operationalization of health priorities and partner-supported interventions, including primary health care (PHC) including Nutrition and Mental health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS), emergency health,  Reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), community-based surveillance (CBS), climate and health, gender-based violence (GBV) referral and response services, health-related WASH, and cash for health where applicable. The post holder works closely with provincial teams and partners, to ensure programmes are evidence-based, integrated, accountable, compliant with agreements and budgets, and aligned with strategy, approved plans of action, logframes, relevant service standards and humanitarian principles.

The role requires a strong portfolio of public health experience, sound managerial and people-leadership skills, the ability to lead complex projects in humanitarian and conflict-affected settings, and the capacity to translate strategic priorities into practical, measurable results. The Deputy Director Health also contributes to programme development, resource mobilization, policy and technical guidance, partner coordination, emergency preparedness and response.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Programme Design

• Contribute to the development and implementation of health strategy, annual plans, programme priorities and technical approaches in line with organizational objectives and Movement commitments.

• Lead or support the design of integrated, evidence-informed health programmes and projects, including concept notes, proposals, theories of change, logframes, indicators, implementation plans and budgets.

• Review health needs, assessments, context analysis and programme evidence to identify gaps, reduce health disparities, and promote equitable access to quality services.

• Provide strategic advice to the HOD Health, provincial management and partner teams on programme direction, implementation challenges, risk mitigation and opportunities for scale-up or adaptation.

• Ensure health interventions are coordinated with relevant portfolios, including nutrition, Health related WASH, climate response and recovery, disaster management, protection and cash assistance where relevant.

2. Technical Oversight and Quality of Health Services

• Provide technical oversight for health programmes delivered through Basic Health Units (BHUs), other static health facilities, outreach services, medical camps and community-based interventions.

• Promote consistent standards and integrated approaches across provincial branches, ensuring activities are implemented in accordance with approved protocols, national guidance, project agreements and applicable humanitarian standards.

• Support quality improvement through field monitoring, supportive supervision, service reviews, corrective action plans and follow-up on recommendations.

• Provide technical guidance on PHC, RMNCH, emergency health, preventive health services, community engagement, community-based surveillance and other approved health interventions.

• Provide oversight and guidance for GBV-related health referral pathways and survivor-centred services, including appropriate health care and psychosocial support linkages, in coordination with relevant protection actors and service providers.

• Support the integration of climate and health considerations, risk-informed programming and community resilience approaches into programme design and delivery.

3. Project Management, Implementation and Partner Compliance

• Coordinate implementation of health projects with provincial health managers, programme managers, district chapters and field teams, clarifying responsibilities, milestones and expected results.

• Monitor implementation against approved workplans, strategic plans, plans of action, logframes, indicators, budgets and project agreements with Movement and other partners.

• Track progress, identify delays and implementation risks, agree on corrective measures with responsible teams, and escalate material issues to the HOD Health and relevant management.

• Provide technical coordination and oversight for supported health and related projects, ensuring compliance with agreed deliverables, reporting requirements and partnership commitments.

• Conduct regular field visits, document findings and recommendations, and follow up with provincial and field teams to address service delivery or management issues.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Ensure timely collection, validation, analysis and use of health programme data, including DHIS and other approved reporting tools, to inform management decisions and programme adjustments.

• Review programme activity, coverage, output and outcome data; promote data quality and ensure findings are shared with provincial teams and relevant stakeholders.

• Work with PMER and programme teams to strengthen monitoring frameworks, reporting tools, evaluations, assessments, learning reviews and evidence generation.

• Review narrative and activity reports from provincial branches and field teams, ensuring accuracy, completeness, consistency with approved indicators and timely submission.

• Promote accountability to affected populations through community participation, accessible feedback and complaints mechanisms, transparent information sharing and appropriate response to feedback.

5. Budget, Financial Monitoring and Resource Management

• Review programme budgets and expenditure against approved allocations, workplans and donor or partner requirements in coordination with Finance and programme teams.

• Review activity-based financial reports and support reconciliation of programme expenditure with reported activities and approved budgets.

• Consolidate and review cash forecasts, cash requests and fund-transfer requests in line with approved proposals, annual budgets and implementation plans.

• Identify budget variances and implementation implications, recommend corrective action, and support revisions or reforecasting through established approval processes.

• Support sound use of programme resources and ensure compliance with procedures, partner agreements, procurement requirements and applicable financial controls.

6. Medical Supplies, Pharmacy and Logistics Oversight

• Provide oversight and guidance on forecasting, quantification, procurement planning, distribution and stock management of essential medicines, medical supplies and consumables for health facilities and projects.

• Ensure that pharmacy and medical store records, consumption data, stock balances, expiry monitoring and replenishment plans are maintained and reviewed regularly.

• Promote rational use of medicines, appropriate storage, inventory control and measures to reduce stock-outs, wastage and expiry-related losses.

• Coordinate with provincial branches, Finance, Procurement and Logistics teams to address supply gaps and maintain continuity of essential health services.

7. Leadership, Staff Development and Performance Management

• Provide leadership and direction to health programme staff and support provincial teams in translating strategic priorities into clear workplans and deliverables.

• Support recruitment, induction, performance planning, staff development and performance reviews for personnel under the role's supervision, in accordance with procedures.

• Identify capacity gaps and coordinate training, mentoring, supportive supervision and technical learning for health staff, facility teams and relevant government health personnel.

• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, accountable and results-oriented team culture, with clear communication, effective delegation and timely resolution of operational challenges.

8. Coordination, Representation and Resource Mobilization

• Maintain effective working relationships with provincial and district health authorities, government departments, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society, private-sector actors, donors and Movement partners.

• Represent in relevant health coordination forums, technical working groups, partner meetings and other platforms as delegated.

• Coordinate with other partners on technical priorities, implementation progress, quality standards, learning and reporting.

• Contribute to resource mobilization, donor engagement, funding applications, concept notes, proposals, budgets and programme reports.

• Promote coordination between headquarters, provincial branches and field teams to support consistent implementation and sharing of lessons and good practice.

9. Emergency Preparedness, Response, Safeguarding and Compliance

• Support health emergency preparedness and response planning for outbreaks, disasters, displacement, climate-related shocks and other humanitarian emergencies.

• Contribute to rapid health assessments, contingency planning and the timely mobilization or adaptation of health services during emergencies.

• Ensure health programme activities follow relevant security procedures, operational risk controls, safeguarding requirements, confidentiality standards and policies and Code of Conduct.

• Promote protection, gender equality, inclusion, dignity and non-discrimination in health programming, and ensure concerns are referred through appropriate organizational mechanisms.

• Undertake other related duties assigned by the HOD Health or authorized management in line with the purpose of the position.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent medical degree with valid registration with the relevant medical regulatory body in Pakistan.

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in primary health care, public health or health programme management, including experience coordinating complex programmes and working with provincial or field teams.

• Demonstrated managerial and strategic leadership skills, including the ability to lead projects, manage a diverse health portfolio, supervise teams and deliver results across multiple locations.

• Experience working in humanitarian, emergency, conflict-affected or fragile settings.

• Experience in donor-funded or partner-supported programmes, including compliance with approved workplans, budgets, indicators, project agreements and reporting requirements.

• Demonstrated experience in programme design, proposal development, activity planning, budget monitoring, financial reporting and resource management.

• Practical experience in monitoring, reporting, data analysis and use of health information systems, including DHIS or comparable systems.

• Experience coordinating with government health authorities, partner organizations and other stakeholders, and supporting staff training and capacity strengthening.

• Strong written and verbal communication, report writing, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

• Good working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and relevant programme or financial reporting tools.

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to provincial branches and programme locations, including challenging field settings.

Desirable

• Master's degree in Public Health (MPH/MSPH) or a relevant postgraduate qualification from an HEC-recognized institution.

• Experience in climate and health, community-based surveillance, RMNCH, emergency health, health-related WASH, cash for health, or GBV referral and response programming.

• Experience working with the national humanitarian or international humanitarian partners.

• Experience with institutional donors such as , WHO, ECHO, UN agencies, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the European Union, or the Global Fund.

• Knowledge of regional languages relevant to programme locations.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking, planning and decision-making

• Project and portfolio management; delivery of results

• People management, coaching and team development

• Technical judgement, analytical thinking and problem-solving

• Coordination, networking, influence and representation

• Clear written and verbal communication

• Financial awareness, compliance and risk management

• Accountability, integrity, professionalism and humanitarian values

• Adaptability and effectiveness under pressure

General Conditions

• The post holder must comply with policies, procedures, the Code of Conduct, safeguarding requirements, confidentiality obligations and the Fundamental Principles of organization. 

• Appointment is subject to verification of qualifications, registration, experience and other submitted information.

• Only shortlisted candidates may be invited for a test and/or interview. Travel and other arrangements for recruitment assessments will be communicated ..

• This job description outlines the principal duties of the position and may be reviewed or adjusted in line with organizational and programme needs.