Director (Surveillance, Diagnostics, Business Registration & Coordination)

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 (Operations), the Director coordinates and drives consistent, risk-based implementation of NAFSA's operational functions across directorates and field formations, supports operational planning and performance management, standardises operational SOPs and service delivery, and coordinates cross-agency interfaces at points of entry and exit.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for SPS surveillance, diagnostic systems, business registration frameworks and regulatory coordination.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of national pest and disease surveillance and early warning systems in line with international standards.
• Oversee diagnostic laboratory networks and ensure quality, standardisation and reliability of diagnostic services and results.
• Oversee implementation of business registration and approval systems for regulated operators and facilities.
• Coordinate surveillance, diagnostics, ITC operations and market access divisions through information exchange and joint planning.
• Review and endorse surveillance reports, pest and disease status declarations and regulatory recommendations for higher-level decision-making.
• Advise NAFSA leadership on emerging biosecurity risks, diagnostic gaps and systemic vulnerabilities and propose corrective actions.
• Establish KPIs and reporting mechanisms for surveillance coverage, diagnostic turnaround, compliance monitoring and registration system performance.

Required profile

• M.Sc. (Hons.) / MPhil (minimum eighteen years) in Agriculture (Plant Protection, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science), Veterinary Sciences, Epidemiology, Public Health or a related discipline.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in surveillance, diagnostics, biosecurity, regulatory operations or related management roles.
• Proven leadership, integrity and stakeholder management skills, and ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Research publications in HEC-recognised journals preferred.

The selected candidate will join NAFSA's foundational team, helping develop its systems, processes and institutional capabilities. Interested candidates should contact the recruiter through the Pakistan Single Window.