Introduction of PPAF

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is the premier apex institution dedicated to lifting the poor out of poverty through community-driven development across Pakistan. Established in February 1997 as a not-for-profit company under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984 (now Companies Act 2017), PPAF’s mission is to transform the lives of the impoverished, fostering a more equitable and prosperous Pakistan.

PPAF receives funding from the Government of Pakistan, prominent international donors, and also utilises its own resources to design and implement projects and initiatives that focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, green growth and energy, health, education, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and disaster resilience at the grassroots level. These interventions are implemented through PPAF's network of partner civil society organisations.

PPAF is committed to building and enhancing the capacity of its partner organisations to improve social mobilisation, and to promote the values of inclusion, participation, accountability, transparency, and stewardship. Through these efforts, PPAF aims to create sustainable and empowered communities, significantly contributing to the nation’s long-term development and stability.

For a complete profile, please visit our website at www.ppaf.org.pk

Background & Context

In response to evolving national economic priorities, complex geo-security realities, and shifting international funding landscapes, PPAF is undergoing a strategic realignment. To maximize its impact and remain at the forefront of Pakistan's development narrative, PPAF requires high-level executive advisory support directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This position will bridge institutional mandates with national policy priorities, such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) agenda, national and provincial Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) strategy frameworks, comprehensive security/safety management, and proactive resource mobilization.

Purpose & Objectives of the Consultancy

The primary purpose of this individual consultancy is to serve as Senior Advisor to the CEO, providing high-level strategic counsel, policy advocacy, program design integration, and executive positioning. The assignment aims to ensure PPAF's strategic portfolio is fully aligned with federal and provincial economic priorities, peacebuilding and stability frameworks, robust security management, and diversified funding architecture.

Key Strategic Objectives:

1. Integrate national and provincial PCVE objectives, peace-building, and social cohesion indicators into PPAF's strategic direction, institutional planning, and field implementation frameworks.
2. Align PPAF's community livelihood, enterprise development, and value chain programmes with high-level government agendas, specifically SIFC initiatives, export-oriented micro-enterprises, and rural value chains.
3. Oversee an institutional security and safety framework to safeguard PPAF personnel, assets, partner institutions, and community operations across sensitive geographies.
4. Lead high-value pitch formulation, bilateral/multilateral donor engagements, non-traditional funding partnerships (climate finance, impact investing, soft loan windows), and government co-financing models.
5. Provide real-time strategic intelligence, policy briefs, and high-level inter-agency representation on behalf of the CEO to government bodies, development partners, and international forums.

Detailed Scope of Work

The Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board shall provide strategic advisory support, facilitate high-level institutional coordination, and assist in the conceptualization, development and implementation of special and strategic initiatives of PPAF, particularly those requiring inter-ministerial, inter-agency, public-private and international collaboration.

The Senior Advisor will work closely with executive leadership, department heads, and external stakeholders to deliver on the following scope of work:

a)       Facilitate the establishment of an Integrated and Synergistic Coordination Desk at PPAF’s Islamabad office to serve as a platform for coordinated engagement with relevant public- and private-sector entities under one institutional framework.

b)      Undertake or facilitate security audits and risk assessments of PPAF’s ongoing and prospective initiatives and advise on appropriate security measures and protocols.

c)       Coordinate and liaise with the Ministry of Defence and its attached departments/services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force, to explore and establish appropriate collaborative and coordination mechanisms for security-related initiatives and enterprises.

d)      Coordinate and liaise with the Planning Commission of Pakistan for the conceptualization, development and implementation of special and strategic development initiatives.

e)      Facilitate liaison and coordination with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Fauji Foundation, Fauji Fertilizer and other relevant public and private-sector entities, including organizations associated with the relevant Wings/Corps, for exploring strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

f)        Establish liaison with Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs) to explore and develop suitable public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives in areas of mutual interest.

g)       Facilitate liaison and coordination with the Ministry of Education, Directorate General of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Higher Education Commission (HEC), Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF) and other relevant institutions to develop trilateral and regional initiatives with partners in China, Central Asia and South Asia.

h)      Facilitate liaison and coordination with relevant Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to conceptualize and formalize projects relating to capacity building, specialized training, infrastructure development, and strengthening and upgrading of training academies.

i)        Assist the CEO in the development and implementation of special initiatives under CPEC Phase-II, with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

j)         Coordinate with Provincial Governments and other relevant stakeholders to develop and institutionalize appropriate project evaluation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and performance assessment criteria for ongoing and future PPAF projects.

Key Deliverables & Schedule of Output

The Consultant will deliver specific, measurable outputs over the 10-month tenure as detailed below. All deliverables require formal review and written approval from the CEO:

Duration, Duty Station & Work Schedule

Contract Duration: The consultancy contract will be for a period of ten (10) consecutive months, starting from September 2026 to June 2027.

Duty Station: Islamabad, Pakistan, based at PPAF Corporate Office.

Travel Requirements: Frequent field travel to provincial capitals (Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Karachi), NMDs, Southern Balochistan, and selected project sites will be required. Official travel expenses will be arranged or reimbursed as per PPAF rules and regulations.

Work Effort: Full-time executive advisory commitment.

Reporting & Institutional Arrangements

• The Senior Advisor will report directly and exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PPAF.
• The Advisor will work in close coordination with PPAF’s Senior Management Group (SMG), Programme Specialists (Programmes, Special Initiatives, Financial Inclusion, Capacity Development, Public Goods, Strategy & Planning, Operations, HR, Finance), and key Unit Heads.
• PPAF will provide office space, necessary administrative support, IT facilities, access to institutional records, and facilitation for government/donor meetings.

Qualification & Experience Requirements

The Senior Advisor must possess high-level strategic stature, exceptional national credibility, and proven expertise across public policy, security dynamics, economic planning, and development sector leadership.

Qualifications & Expertise:

• Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, International Relations, Security Studies, Economics, Strategic Studies, Development Practice, or related discipline from a top-tier national or international university.
• Minimum 10–15 years of high-level progressive experience in public policy, government liaison, strategic advisory, peacebuilding/PCVE, security risk governance, or senior leadership in international/national apex development institutions.
• Proven track record of interfacing with high-level government platforms (e.g., SIFC, NACTA, Planning Commission, Federal Ministries, Chief Secretariats).
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilization, donor engagement (World Bank, ADB, IFAD, UN agencies, bilateral donors), and crafting complex multi-million-dollar development programmes.
• Deep expertise in designing conflict-sensitive development interventions, PCVE frameworks, and community resilience models in fragile/complex environments.
• Exceptional executive briefing, policy draftsmanship, negotiation, and strategic communication skills in English and Urdu.

Procurement Method

The Consultant shall be hired as per the PPAF Procurement Manual and Guidelines.

Ethical Standards, Confidentiality & Intellectual Property

• The Consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all PPAF internal documents, strategic notes, security reports, and executive discussions. No data or information shall be shared with third parties without prior written consent from the CEO.

• All reports, frameworks, strategic plans, presentations, and data developed during this consultancy shall remain the exclusive intellectual property of PPAF.

• The Consultant must disclose any potential or actual conflict of interest and execute duties with highest professional ethics and integrity.