Director (Market Access & International Coordination) | NAFSA

Pakistan Single Window; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Pakistan Single Window in Islamabad seeks a senior SPS/market access leader to drive export facilitation and regulatory alignment under the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority. You will shape negotiation positions, coordinate with international bodies, and manage complex stakeholder interests to unlock new export markets. The role requires deep SPS knowledge and seasoned drafting and advocacy capabilities. This is a high-impact, government-aligned position within a foundational team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience representing national positions in international meetings, technical committees, and SPS negotiations.
• Demonstrated capability to develop negotiation strategies, resolve technical trade barriers, and manage complex stakeholder interests.
• Strong knowledge of SPS frameworks, market access processes, and international standard-setting bodies.
• Excellent drafting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Research publications or demonstrated technical credibility (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead NAFSA's market access and international SPS coordination for plant, animal, and food safety matters.
• Develop negotiation strategies and technical dossiers to address SPS-related market access barriers for exports and to manage import-related SPS arrangements.
• Engage with international and regional SPS bodies to advance Pakistan's positions.
• Oversee bilateral and multilateral SPS negotiations and approve national negotiating positions.
• Coordinate with foreign NPPOs/competent authorities for recognition of equivalence and other SPS arrangements.
• Coordinate across NAFSA and provinces to ensure market access conditions for exports and minimize interceptions.
• Engage with trade officers, industry/exporters and lobby firms to sustain market access for local products.
• Pursue and manage Mutual Recognition Agreements to enhance market access.
• Liaise with Ministry of Commerce, TDAP and industry associations to promote exports.
• Review and endorse technical inputs including PRA outputs before submission.
• Establish mechanisms for monitoring SPS notifications and trade alerts.
• Coordinate with OW and SRD to align negotiated protocols with regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Market access

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

SPS knowledge

Drafting skills

Education

Master's degree in Agriculture/Plant Health

MPhil/PhD preferred

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 NAFSA's market access and international SPS coordination function for plant, animal, and food safety matters, ensuring alignment with national trade priorities and SPS obligations
• Develop negotiation strategies and technical dossiers to address SPS-related market access barriers for exports and to manage import-related SPS arrangements
• Engage strategically with international and regional SPS bodies (e.g., IPPC, WOAH, WTO-SPS Committee, Codex, FAO, RPPOs) to advance Pakistan's positions and interests
• Oversee bilateral and multilateral SPS negotiations, including approval of national negotiating positions, technical submissions, and risk-based justifications.
• Coordinate with foreign NPPOs/competent authorities for recognition of equivalence, systems approaches, pest/disease-free areas, and other SPS arrangements
• Coordinate with other formations within NAFSA as well as provinces to achieve compliance with market access conditions for exports with input to minimize interception of non-compliant exports from Pakistan
• Oversee engagement with trade officers, industry/exporters and lobby firms to secure and sustain market access for new local products and un-lock new export markets
• Pursue and manage execution of Mutual Recognition Agreements with trading partners to enhance market access for local products
• Liaise with Ministry of Commerce and TDAP as well as industry/trade association to participate in oversee exhibitions for promotion of exports of local products and maintain updated registry of products and exporters from Pakistan.
• Review and endorse technical inputs including PRA outputs and compliance frameworks prior to submission in market access processes.
• Establish mechanisms for monitoring SPS notifications, trade alerts, and changes in foreign import requirements and ensure timely internal dissemination.
• Coordinate with OW and SRD to ensure consistency between negotiated protocols, national regulations, and operational implementation.
• Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the reporting officer in support of NAFSA's mandate

Education:

• Master's Degree (sixteen years education) in Agriculture/Plant Health, Veterinary/Public Health, Food Science, International Trade, Marketing or a related discipline (M.Phil, PhD preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum m 12 years of relevant experience representing national positions in international meetings, technical committees, and SPS negotiations (plant and/or animal health/food safety).
• Demonstrated capability to develop negotiation strategies, resolve technical trade barriers, and manage complex stakeholder interests.
• Strong knowledge of SPS frameworks, market access processes, and international standard-setting bodies
• Excellent drafting, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Research publications or demonstrated technical credibility (preferred).

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