The posting
This position is being recruited by Pakistan Single Window (PSW) on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA). NAFSA is being established as a strategic national initiative to strengthen Pakistan’s agri-trade ecosystem through enhanced regulatory oversight, facilitation, and modernization of food safety and trade processes. The selected candidate will be part of NAFSA’s foundational team, contributing to the development of systems, processes, and institutional capabilities.
The Deputy Director General Scientific Advisory and Policy will lead the Scientific Advisory and Policy Wing and provides the scientific foundation for NAFSA’s SPS measures. The role is responsible for risk assessment, standards development, drafting regulatory framework for registration, licensing, certification, track & trace, food safety & Quality Assurance, biosecurity measures, pesticides and related diagnostics, Surveillance and movements, international coordination for liaison with international bodies (WTO, IPPC, OIE, Codex) to develop strategies for market access & negotiations to boost exports and evidence-based recommendations to support operational decision-making. The position ensures alignment with international SPS frameworks and supports harmonization of SPS measures across provinces, coordination for crisis management planning.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead the Scientific Advisory and Policy Wing (SAPW) and provide scientific, technical and regulatory leadership to underpin NAFSA’s SPS and food safety mandate.
- Direct and institutionalize scientific risk assessment for food safety, animal health, plant health and related SPS domains; provide evidence-based recommendations/guidance to the Operations Wing for implementation of official controls, inspection, quarantine, certification, surveillance, track and trace, pesticides registration, and grade designation/ marking requirements.
- Develop, update and interpret SPS measures, standards, technical regulations and guidance documents aligned with the NAFSA Act and international standards (Codex, WOAH, IPPC).
- Establish and manage peer review mechanisms; enforce conflict-of-interest safeguards for scientific advice, access control, disclosures, RTI handling protocols
- Design and oversee surveillance and monitoring programs (pests/diseases, residues/contaminants, emerging hazards) and translate findings into risk-based regulatory actions.
- Define sampling, testing and inspection protocols; coordinate designation and oversight mechanism of laboratories, including accreditation requirements (ISO/IEC 17025, PNAC/ILAC where applicable).
- Develop risk-based import and export requirements, equivalence assessments and certification standards to support credible market access and compliance assurance.
- Lead development of technical guidelines for registration, licensing and approvals where scientific evaluation is required (e.g. products including pesticides, operators, and facilities).
- Coordinate regulatory drafting and updates with Legal section,
- Ensuring stakeholder consultation and transparency measures while modifying existing SPS measures, standards and regulations.
- Maintain and periodically review a regulatory register and standards catalogue, ensuring harmonization, consistency and clarity for implementers and regulated entities.
- Provide support to provinces in harmonization of SPS measures, food safety and other related regulations
- Develop scientific data systems and evidence repositories; ensure analytics support for targeting, prioritization and decision-making, including integration with data flows where relevant.
- Provide technical capacity building curriculum and guidelines for inspectors, analysts and regulators; develop training materials and technical SOPs for uniform implementation.
- Coordinate with national and international bodies (ministries, provinces, academia, donor partners, standards -setting organizations) on scientific cooperation and SPS notifications.
- Support emergency response by providing rapid risk assessments, scientific input for recalls/controls, and guidance for public and stakeholder risk communication.
- Perform any other scientific or regulatory responsibilities assigned by the Director General in support of NAFSA’s mandate.
Requirements
Education
- Advanced degree (Master’s - 16 years of education / PhD preferred) in Food Safety, Food Science, Veterinary Sciences, Epidemiology, Plant Pathology, Plant Protection, Microbiology, Toxicology, Public Health, Agriculture or a related discipline (HEC-recognized).
- Demonstrated knowledge of WTO SPS principles and international standards/guidelines (Codex, WOAH, IPPC) and translating them into national requirements.
- Familiarity with laboratory quality management and accreditation standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) and coordination of laboratory networks.
Experience
- Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in scientific risk assessment, SPS regulation, standards development, laboratory systems or related fields, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Experience designing surveillance programs, sampling/testing frameworks, and interpreting laboratory and field data for regulatory decision-making.
- Proven ability to draft or review technical regulations, standards and guidance documents, and to lead structured stakeholder consultations.
- Strong analytical, research and writing skills with the ability to communicate complex scientific issues to non-technical leadership and stakeholders.
- High integrity, excellent communication and negotiation skills for engagement with domestic stakeholders and international counterparts.
- Demonstrated capability in scientific writing, policy drafting, stakeholder consultation and inter-governmental coordination.
- Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and provide evidence-based advice under time-sensitive conditions.
- Demonstrated administrative experience in managerial or leadership position
For contact, kindly reach out to [email protected].
