Deputy Director (ITC Food Safety)

About the role

Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is recruiting on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) for a Deputy Director (ITC Food Safety) based in Karachi. NAFSA 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 selected candidate will join NAFSA's foundational team and help build its systems, processes and institutional capabilities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate food safety inspection and compliance operations at points of entry and exit for regulated food commodities.
• Implement risk-based inspection approaches, sampling plans and documentary verification procedures in line with notified standards and SOPs.
• Coordinate with laboratories and competent authorities for testing, results follow-up and enforcement actions when non-compliance is found.
• Manage emergency and special measures for food safety incidents or high-risk commodities and origins.
• Maintain national import/export compliance records, including sampling outcomes, rejections, detentions and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with SAPW (risk assessment and SRD) so border controls match risk profiles and standards.
• Prepare periodic operational reports and contribute to incident response and international compliance communications.
• Supervise assigned ITC field staff and ensure their capacity building and professional conduct.

Required profile

• M.Sc. (Hons.) or MPhil (at least 18 years of education) in Food Science & Technology, Microbiology, Public Health, Chemistry/Toxicology or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in food safety inspection/regulation, laboratory/analytical work or SPS border compliance.
• Strong coordination and reporting skills.
• High integrity and ability to work in enforcement and compliance environments.

Required skills

• Knowledge of Codex standards and risk-based food control concepts.
• Food safety inspection and compliance operations.

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