Director General - National Agri-Trade & Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Pakistan

Further Details

NAFSA Pakistan, a key federal regulatory authority, is actively recruiting for the position of Director General. This leadership role is crucial for advancing Pakistan's agri-trade and food safety landscape, focusing on operational efficiency and international market expansion. The Director General will oversee strategic mandates, including driving regulatory systems and fostering global trade partnerships. This government job requires a candidate with substantial professional experience, particularly in public sector leadership and governance. Successful candidates will benefit from these immediate vacancies. The selected individual will play a key role in enhancing Pakistan's agricultural export competitiveness and ensuring compliance with international standards. The position is based at NAFSA Headquarters in Islamabad, offering a significant opportunity for career advancement within a vital national organization. Interested candidates are invited to apply for this high-impact role. The opportunity is designed for individuals who can lead institutional reforms, drive digital transformation, and contribute to the overall growth of Pakistan's agri-sector. This is a significant career opportunity within the federal government, offering a chance to shape policy and drive national economic progress.

Director General - National Agri-Trade & Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Pakistan

The National Agri-Trade & Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Pakistan, a federal regulatory body, is seeking a visionary Director General to lead its strategic initiatives. This pivotal role involves driving the operationalization of merit-based recruitment and regulatory systems, ensuring effective coordination across NAFSA's formations, and fostering international trade relations. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of agricultural trade, food safety standards, and international regulatory frameworks, contributing significantly to Pakistan's export growth and economic development.

This leadership opportunity is ideal for seasoned professionals with extensive experience in public finance, governance, and managing complex organizations. The Director General will be instrumental in shaping the future of Pakistan's agri-trade sector, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing market access for Pakistani commodities globally. The position offers a competitive compensation package and the chance to make a lasting impact on a critical national institution.

We are looking for a dynamic leader with a proven track record in institutional reforms and digital transformation. The role demands expertise in navigating international trade agreements, managing crisis situations, and harmonizing regulatory standards. If you are passionate about driving positive change in the agricultural sector and possess the requisite leadership acumen, we encourage you to apply for this prestigious government job.

Key Highlights:

• Position: Director General
• Organization: National Agri-Trade & Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Pakistan
• Sector: Government
• Location: NAFSA Headquarters, Islamabad
• Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract (3 years, renewable)
• Salary Scale: NPS-7 (Highest Grade)
• Key Responsibilities: Strategic leadership, regulatory system development, international trade promotion, crisis management.
• Required Experience: Minimum 15 years, with 5 years in executive leadership.
• Educational Qualification: Master's degree in relevant fields.

Detailed Job Positions:

Sr.#	Job Title	Required Qualifications	Location	Experience (Months)	Salary Range (PKR)	Vacancies	Age Limit
1	Director General	Master's degree in Management Sciences, Agronomy, Food Safety, Veterinary Sciences, Plant Protection, Public Health, Trade/Economics, or a related field	NAFSA Headquarters, Islamabad	180	1,935,862 - 2,555,338	1	Not Specified

Skills

• Master's degree in Management Sciences, Agronomy, Food Safety, Veterinary Sciences, Plant Protection, Public Health, Trade/Economics, or a related field
• Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 5 years in an executive leadership role in a regulator, autonomous body, large public sector organization, or comparable institution
• Demonstrated track record of leading institutional reforms, establishing organizations or large programmes, and managing multi-disciplinary, geographically distributed teams
• Experience in public finance and governance: budgeting, fund management, audit oversight, and implementation of internal controls
• Substantive understanding of SPS systems and international standards (WTO SPS, Codex, WOAH, IPPC) and their application to import/export controls and domestic regulation
• Strong stakeholder engagement and diplomacy skills, including coordination with federal/provincial governments and engagement with the private sector and international development partners
• Experience driving digital transformation and data-driven management in a regulatory or public sector context
• Familiarity with Pakistan's agri-trade ecosystem, SPS regulatory landscape, and legacy structures of DPP and AQD
• Track record of integration with national systems (Single Window, customs, laboratory networks)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive the next phase of NAFSA operationalisation: merit-based recruitment of wing and divisional leadership, establishment of regulatory systems and SOPs, and commencement of statutory functions under the NAFSA Act 2026
• Lead the orderly transition of assets, operations, and personnel from DPP and AQD into NAFSA's unified structure with minimal disruption to existing trade flows
• Provide strategic leadership to three Deputy Directors General heading SAPW, OW, and CSW, and across NAFSA's formations
• Serve as the institutional face of NAFSA in national and international forums, and as ex-officio Secretary to the Board of Governors
• Negotiate lead negotiations and international coordination to open new export markets for Pakistani agri-commodities — including fruits, vegetables, rice, meat, and dairy — directly supporting GoP's agricultural export targets
• Operationalise a credible SPS regime meeting international buyer requirements, enabling Pakistani exporters to access premium markets in the EU, GCC, China, and beyond
• Streamline pesticide registration and agrochemical standards to improve farm productivity while ensuring food safety and international MRL compliance
• Drive adoption of technology in inspection, certification, track-and-trace, and surveillance systems to reduce discretion and transaction costs for trade
• Develop national crisis management capacity for SPS incidents — pest incursions, contamination events, disease outbreaks — protecting Pakistan's export reputation
• Coordinate harmonisation of SPS standards across provinces, reducing inter-regional trade barriers for domestic agri-supply chains

How to apply

• Interested candidates are invited to apply online by scanning the provided QR code.
• The detailed job description, along with all required qualifications and experience criteria, is accessible through the online portal.
• NAFSA is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all eligible individuals.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this leadership role.
• Persons with special needs are persuaded to apply; no TA/DA will be admissible for the application process.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
• All candidates are treated strictly on merit throughout the recruitment process.
• NAFSA/PSW reserves the right to accept or reject any application or to cancel the recruitment process at any stage, without assigning any reason.
• Recruitment will be subject to applicable directives and guidelines of the Federal Government.
• The application deadline is 15 days from the date of advertisement.

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