Director (Standards & Regulatory Division)

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. Reporting to the Deputy Director General (Scientific Advisory & Policy Wing), the Director provides senior managerial and coordination support to the Wing and develops science-based standards and regulations for NAFSA's mandate, aligned with the NAFSA Act and international SPS frameworks.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and periodic review of national SPS policies, rules, regulations, standards and guidelines for plant health, animal health, food safety, pesticides and related services and laboratories.
• Develop science-based standards and regulatory frameworks consistent with international obligations such as WTO-SPS, IPPC/ISPMs, WOAH and Codex.
• Advise NAFSA management on SPS regulations affecting trade facilitation, market access, compliance and dispute resolution.
• Issue binding technical instructions, standards and policy directives for implementation by the Operations Wing and other competent authorities.
• Coordinate harmonisation of national SPS measures with international standards and liaise with provincial departments and regulators.
• Develop training modules and guidance materials on SPS measures, quarantine regulations and compliance requirements.
• Oversee regulatory drafting, consultation processes and documentation control, including registers of standards, pest lists and MRLs.
• Manage SRD work plans, allocate resources, mentor staff and ensure quality and timeliness of outputs.
• Support change management and capacity building among stakeholders, and ensure subordinates perform according to their job descriptions.

Required profile

• Master's degree (Hons.) or M.Phil (eighteen years of education) in Agriculture (plant protection, entomology, plant pathology, weed science), veterinary/public health, food science/microbiology, chemistry/toxicology or a relevant discipline; PhD preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in regulatory management, SPS policy, standards development and quarantine/food safety regulation, including drafting and compliance procedures.
• Strong knowledge of international SPS frameworks applied to national contexts.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and stakeholder consultation skills, and proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Research publications in HEC-recognised journals preferred.