Assistant Director (Plant Health Risk)

About the role

Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is recruiting on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), which is being set up to strengthen Pakistan's agri-trade ecosystem through stronger regulatory oversight, facilitation and modernisation of food safety and trade processes. The selected candidate will join NAFSA's foundational team and report to the Deputy Director Plant-Risk.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Deputy Director Plant-Risk in carrying out assigned functions.
• Support pest risk assessment (PRA) by collecting, cleaning and organising datasets on surveillance, interceptions, pest distribution and trade pathways.
• Carry out technical analysis for PRA, including literature review and compiling evidence for hazard identification and pathway assessment.
• Draft sections of PRA documents, technical notes and briefing material under the supervision of the Deputy Director.
• Maintain pest risk databases, pest lists and reference documentation.
• Coordinate with provincial departments and laboratories for field and diagnostic evidence.
• Help prepare presentations and submissions for internal peer review and Scientific Committee deliberations.
• Monitor global pest alerts, SPS notifications and scientific updates relevant to plant health risk.
• Keep documentation, version control and records for all risk assessment outputs.

Required profile

• Minimum sixteen years of education (BSc. Honours) in Agriculture, specialising in Entomology, Plant Protection, Plant Pathology, Weeds Science or a related discipline, from an institution recognised by HEC.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in plant protection, quarantine, pest surveillance or SPS-related analytical work; fresh/entry candidates with strong PRA exposure may be considered.
• Ability to analyse scientific information and turn it into structured regulatory documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills for coordinating with field and laboratory stakeholders.

Required skills

• Proficiency in computer applications (MS Office).
• Database and spreadsheet handling.
• Technical writing.

To apply, candidates should submit their application through Pakistan Single Window.