Deputy Director (Surveillance, Diagnostics & Coordination - Animal)

Pakistan Single Window; Karachi Division; On-site; PKR 2,100,000 - 2,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Pakistan Single Window (PSW), acting on behalf of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), seeks a senior specialist for national-level coordination of animal disease surveillance and diagnostics. The role focuses on policy-aligned surveillance, data analysis and cross-agency coordination to strengthen regulatory oversight for trade and food safety.

The candidate will lead risk-based programs, supervise field teams, ensure SOPs and documentation quality, and contribute to

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in Veterinary Public Health, Epidemiology, Animal Health, Food Safety, or related discipline.
• DVM degree recognized by Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC).
• Minimum 8 years in animal health/SPS regulation or veterinary public health, with 3+ years in supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead national-level coordination for animal disease surveillance and field response within NAFSA’s mandate.
• Plan risk-based surveillance programs for priority animal diseases relevant to trade.
• Coordinate sample collection, transport and testing through laboratories with biosafety compliance.
• Analyze surveillance data to identify trends and non-compliance; propose corrective actions.
• Support crisis management plans for animal health emergencies; coordinate reporting and escalation.
• Prepare diagnostic summaries and communicate results to OW and SAPW units for decision-making.
• Coordinate with provincial livestock departments, labs and conformance bodies for harmonised surveillance.
• Maintain SOPs, sampling protocols and documentation standards for surveillance and diagnostics.
• Supervise inspectors/field teams and ensure surveillance records are complete.
• Perform other duties as assigned by reporting officer to support NAFSA’s mandate.

Skills

SPS regulations

Surveillance planning

Lab coordination

Data analysis

Policy translation

Education

Master’s degree in Veterinary Public Health or Epidemiology

DVM, PVMC-recognized

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.

Responsibilities:

• Lead national-level coordination for animal disease surveillance, diagnostics and field response support within NAFSA’s mandate.

• Plan and oversee risk-based surveillance programs for priority animal diseases relevant to trade, including notifiable diseases and emerging threats.

• Coordinate collection, transport and testing of animal and animal product samples through notified/accredited laboratories, ensuring biosafety and biosecurity compliance.

• Analyse surveillance and diagnostic data to identify trends, hotspots and non-compliance patterns and recommend corrective actions.

• Support operationalisation of crisis management plans for animal health emergencies, including field coordination, reporting and escalation triggers.

• Ensure timely preparation of diagnostic summaries and communication of results to relevant OW and SAPW units for decision-making.

• Coordinate with provincial livestock departments, laboratories and conformance assessment bodies for harmonised surveillance and official controls.

• Maintain SOPs, sampling protocols and documentation standards for surveillance and diagnostics activities.

• Supervise assigned inspectors/field teams and ensure quality, integrity and completeness of surveillance records.

• Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the reporting officer in support of NAFSA’s mandate.

Education:

- Master’s Degree (sixteen years education) qualification in Veterinary Public Health, Epidemiology, Animal Health, Food Safety, or a related discipline). Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent qualification recognized by Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC).

Experience

Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in animal health/SPS regulation, veterinary public health, quarantine, or international trade compliance, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role.

Strong knowledge of SPS measures and international standards (WTO-SPS, WOAH/OIE standards, Codex where applicable) and experience in applying them in regulatory settings.

Demonstrated analytical and report-writing skills with the ability to translate scientific evidence into policy and operational requirements.

Proven stakeholder management skills, including coordination with provincial departments, laboratories, industry and international counterparts.
For contact, kindly reach out to [e-mail].