Deputy Director (Budget & Planning) | NAFSA

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 annual budget formulation cycle including preparation of budget ceilings/assumptions, consolidation of Wing/Directorate submissions, quality assurance of justifications, and timely submission in line with applicable government/authority requirements and timelines.
• Develop and issue budget guidelines, templates, chart-of-accounts mapping (as applicable), and calendar milestones; coordinate with Wings/Directorates to ensure completeness, consistency, and alignment with the approved organogram and implementation roadmap.
• Facilitate budget review meetings with Wings/Directorates to challenge assumptions, validate headcount and procurement plans, identify duplication, and ensure prioritization within available resource envelopes.
• Support medium-term planning and resource forecasting (e.g., 3–5 year outlook) including scenario analysis for phased staffing, infrastructure expansion, and operational readiness of field formations to inform strategic decisions.
• Monitor budget utilization and variances on a periodic basis; prepare management dashboards and variance analysis highlighting drivers, emerging risks, and recommended corrective actions.
• Coordinate internal budget controls including re-appropriations, virements, supplementary requests, and internal adjustments, ensuring proper approvals, documentation, and compliance with applicable financial rules and delegated authorities.
• Support development of cost recovery and fee-related planning inputs (estimates, sensitivities, revenue assumptions) in coordination with Revenue & Fees and relevant technical Wings to strengthen financial sustainability planning.
• Maintain complete budget documentation and audit trails including approvals, working papers, assumptions, and supporting evidence for internal/external audit requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement and HR/Administration teams to ensure budget alignment with procurement plans, contract commitments, headcount plans, and asset/estate requirements.
• Prepare budget briefs and presentations for senior leadership and governance forums as required (e.g., DG, Finance Committee/Board), including key trade-offs and affordability considerations.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Director (Finance & Procurement) consistent with NAFSA’s mandate.

Requirements

Education:

• Master’s / bachelor’s (Minimum sixteen years) in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Public Finance, or related discipline; professional qualification (CA/ACCA/CMA) preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years overall experience with at least 5 years relevant experience in budgeting, planning, or public sector financial management.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in spreadsheets/financial modelling.
• Knowledge of government budgeting processes and compliance requirements (preferred).
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills.