Deputy Director (SRD Pesticide)

Pakistan Single Window; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is recruiting on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) to join its foundational team. The role focuses on developing national pesticide regulatory policies, risk assessment frameworks, and alignment with FAO/WHO guidelines to strengthen Pakistan’s agri-trade and food safety systems.

The candidate should have a Master’s/MPhil in a relevant field and at least 8 years of regulatory experience, with strong analytical and drafting skills and

Qualifications

• Master’s or MPhil in a relevant field is required.
• Experience with pesticide regulation, standards development, risk assessment.
• Familiarity with FAO/WHO pesticide guidelines and MRL concepts.

Responsibilities

• Formulate national policy governing regulation of pesticides, including registration and phase-out.
• Establish evaluation criteria for active ingredients, formulations, and bio-efficacy.
• Develop regulatory policies for MRLs and harmonisation with international standards.
• Frame policies for import, export, manufacturing, labeling, and distribution of pesticides.
• Align regulations with FAO/WHO guidelines and international agreements.
• Provide scientific advice to the government and NAFSA leadership on pesticide matters.
• Coordinate with divisions and provincial departments for implementation.
• Develop training modules for regulatory compliance and risk-based controls.
• Perform other duties assigned by the reporting officer.

Skills

Regulatory policy drafting

Pesticide regulation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder coordination

FAO/WHO guidelines knowledge

Education

Master’s (Hons.) / MPhil in Agriculture (Entomology/Plant Protection/Plant Pathology, Weed Science), Chemistry (Analytical/Environmental), Environmental Sciences, or equivalent

Job description

This position is being recruited by Pakistan Single Window (PSW) on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA). NAFSA is being established as a strategic national initiative to strengthen Pakistan’s agri-trade ecosystem through enhanced regulatory oversight, facilitation, and modernization of food safety and trade processes. The selected candidate will be part of NAFSA’s foundational team, contributing to the development of systems, processes, and institutional capabilities.

Main Responsibilities

• Formulate national policy governing regulation of pesticides, including registration, suspension, restriction, cancellation, and phase-out of pesticide products.
• Establish scientific criteria and regulatory procedures for evaluation of active ingredients, formulations, technical equivalence, toxicological and eco-toxicological assessments, and bio-efficacy.
• Develop and update regulatory policies related to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), including adoption/harmonisation or justified deviation from international MRLs based on scientific evidence.
• Frame regulatory policies governing import, export, manufacture, formulation, repacking, labelling, packaging, advertisement, and distribution of pesticides.
• Ensure harmonisation of pesticide regulations with international instruments, including FAO/WHO guidelines and relevant multilateral environmental agreements.
• Provide scientific advice to the Federal Government and NAFSA leadership on pesticide-related matters and international obligations.
• Coordinate with OW Pesticide Registration & Certification Division and provincial departments to ensure coherent implementation and enforcement.
• Develop training modules and guidance materials for pesticide regulatory compliance and risk-based controls.
• Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the reporting officer in support of NAFSA’s mandate.

Education

- Master’s (Hons.) / MPhil (minimum eighteen years of education) in Agriculture (Entomology/Plant Protection/Plant Pathology, Weed Science), Chemistry (Analytical/Environmental), Environmental Sciences, or equivalent.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in pesticide regulation, standards development, risk assessment, laboratory/regulatory evaluation, or related fields.
• Knowledge of FAO/WHO pesticide guidelines, MRL concepts, and regulatory policy drafting.
• Strong analytical and technical drafting skills.
• Ability to coordinate with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Research publications in HEC-recognised journals (preferred).

For contact, kindly reach out to [e-mail]