Chief Data Officer

Pakistan; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 6,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Pakistan Data Authority seeks a senior leader to develop and institutionalize the National Data Strategy and governance capabilities for secure, responsible data use. You will build stewardship across institutions with clear ownership and assurance.

Role requires guiding senior executives on policy and investment decisions, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring data quality and interoperability across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in data governance, architecture or strategy.
• Evidence of embedding data governance across multiple units or jurisdictions.
• Experience advising executive decision-makers on data policy, privacy and operational trade-offs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the National Data Strategy and governance frameworks from priority to policies and adoption plans.
• Define ownership, stewardship, classification, quality and metadata standards with clear duties.
• Coordinate with ministries, provinces, regulators and custodians to enable secure data sharing and interoperability.
• Work with DPI and Technology leaders on reference architectures and data exchange requirements.
• Develop proposals for open data, controlled access, sensitive data handling and cross-border rules.
• Collaborate with the AI Office on data readiness, provenance, quality and appropriate dataset use.

Skills

Data governance

Data architecture

Strategy development

Stakeholder management

Change leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science / CS / IS / Engineering / Public Policy

Job description

Role Purpose

Lead the development and institutionalisation of the National Data Strategy and data governance capabilities supporting secure, responsible and effective use of data. Build practical stewardship arrangements across institutions, recognising the continuing control and responsibilities of designated data custodians.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the National Data Strategy and related governance frameworks, translating priorities into implementable policies, standards and adoption plans.
• Define data ownership and stewardship arrangements, classification, quality, metadata, lineage, retention and lifecycle standards, with clear responsibilities and assurance measures.
• Coordinate with ministries, provinces, regulators and data custodians to enable secure data sharing and resolve barriers to interoperability and adoption.
• Work with DPI and Technology leaders on data exchange requirements, reference architectures and shared registries; retain focus on governance and stewardship responsibilities.
• Develop proposals for open data, controlled access, sensitive data handling and cross-border arrangements with Legal, Security and relevant authorities, subject to applicable requirements and approvals.
• Work in partnership with the AI Office on data readiness, provenance, quality and appropriate use of datasets supporting AI systems.
• Build the Data governance team and institutional capability; establish maturity assessments, adoption measures and reporting on data quality and governance risks.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Public Policy or a related discipline. A relevant master’s degree is preferred. Qualifications must meet PDA’s applicable recognition and equivalence requirements.

Essential experience

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in data governance, architecture, strategy or transformation, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Evidence of establishing and embedding data governance across multiple business units, institutions or jurisdictions, with measurable improvements in data quality, sharing or use.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and advising executive decision-makers on data policy, investment, privacy and operational trade-offs.

Desirable experience

Leadership of complex data governance or data transformation engagements in consulting, professional services or technology advisory is desirable. Equivalent leadership in public institutions, technology companies, regulated organisations or specialist firms will be equally considered. Public-sector data stewardship, federated data exchange and application of international data governance practices are advantageous.

Key competencies

Data strategy and governance; stewardship; interoperability; privacy-aware design; institutional negotiation; change leadership; executive judgement.

Eligibility Criteria

Experience

15 Years