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 scientific risk assessments for food safety hazards in foods of animal origin (e.g., meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, fish and other animal-derived products).
- Assess microbiological, chemical and physical hazards including residues, contaminants and antimicrobial resistance risks, where relevant to SPS measures and food safety standards.
- Coordinate with notified/accredited laboratories to interpret test results and integrate evidence into risk characterization and risk management options.
- Develop risk-based priorities for official controls and sampling plans for animal origin foods in coordination with OW inspection and diagnostics functions.
- Prepare evidence-based recommendations for setting/reviewing maximum residue limits (MRLs) or equivalent thresholds where applicable, in alignment with international references.
- Support crisis risk assessment during food safety incidents affecting animal-origin products, including rapid assessments and response options.
- Contribute to stakeholder consultation processes by presenting technical risk evidence in a clear and defensible manner.
- Ensure robust documentation, peer review and governance for all risk assessment outputs and maintain a library of risk opinions.
- Build internal analytical capacity by developing templates, guidance notes and training inputs related to food safety risk assessment.
- Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the reporting officer in support of NAFSA's mandate.
Education:
- DVM, MBBS, BSc/MSc in Food Science/Technology, Veterinary Public Health, Microbiology, Toxicology, or a related discipline (DVM preferred for animal-origin portfolios).
- Master's Degree (sixteen years education) qualification in Food Safety, Risk Analysis, Epidemiology, Public Health or related field (preferred).
Experience:
- Minimum 8 years of experience in food safety, veterinary public health, laboratory diagnostics interpretation, risk analysis or SPS regulation, including supervisory experience.
- Strong familiarity with international food safety references (Codex), SPS principles and risk analysis methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret laboratory and surveillance data and translate evidence into practical controls and standards.
- Strong writing, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
Experience of working in plant based risk assessment jobs and projects (preferred).
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