Deputy Director (SRD Pesticide)

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 as a national initiative to strengthen Pakistan's agri-trade ecosystem through stronger regulatory oversight, facilitation and modernisation of food safety and trade processes. The Deputy Director (SRD Pesticide) will join NAFSA's foundational team and help build its systems, processes and institutional capabilities.

Key responsibilities

• Formulate national policy on pesticide regulation, covering registration, suspension, restriction, cancellation and phase-out of pesticide products.
• Set scientific criteria and regulatory procedures for evaluating active ingredients, formulations, technical equivalence, toxicological and eco-toxicological assessments and bio-efficacy.
• Develop and update policies on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), including adoption or harmonisation with international MRLs or justified deviations based on scientific evidence.
• Frame policies on import, export, manufacture, formulation, repacking, labelling, packaging, advertising and distribution of pesticides.
• Harmonise pesticide regulations with international instruments such as FAO/WHO guidelines and multilateral environmental agreements.
• Advise the Federal Government and NAFSA leadership on pesticide matters and international obligations.
• Coordinate with the OW Pesticide Registration and Certification Division and provincial departments for coherent implementation and enforcement.
• Develop training modules and guidance materials on regulatory compliance and risk-based controls.

Required profile

• Master's (Hons.) or MPhil (at least 18 years of education) in Agriculture (Entomology, Plant Protection, Plant Pathology, Weed Science), Chemistry (Analytical or Environmental), Environmental Sciences or equivalent.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in pesticide regulation, standards development, risk assessment, laboratory or regulatory evaluation or related fields.
• Knowledge of FAO/WHO pesticide guidelines, MRL concepts and regulatory policy drafting.
• Research publications in HEC-recognised journals preferred.

Required skills

• Strong analytical and technical drafting skills.
• Ability to coordinate with technical and operational stakeholders.

The position is on-site in Islamabad and is advertised as a contract. Applications are made through Pakistan Single Window.