Director Legal | 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.

Reporting to the Deputy Director General, the Director Legal provides legal leadership to NAFSA and ensures the Authority’s actions are legally sound, proportionate and defensible. The role advises on interpretation and implementation of the NAFSA Act, rules, regulations and SPS measures; supports enforcement processes; manages litigation and legal risk; and reviews contracts, procurement documents and institutional policies. The position also supports internal governance arrangements and capacity building for authorized officers on legal procedures and evidence management.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on interpretation and implementation of the NAFSA Act, rules, regulations and prescribed SPS measures, including guidance to operational and scientific functions.
• Draft, review and vet legal instruments and documents, including rules/regulations/notifications, SOPs, contracts, MoUs, procurement documents and service agreements.
• Support enforcement actions by advising on due process, evidence requirements, seizures/detentions, penalties, forfeiture, product recalls and corrective measures under applicable laws.
• Design and support adjudication and appeal mechanisms, including templates, orders, timelines and standard operating procedures for authorized officers and adjudicators.
• Manage and coordinate litigation involving NAFSA; liaise with the Attorney General’s Office, Ministry of Law, provincial law departments and external counsel as required.
• Provide legal input on complaint handling and dispute resolution mechanisms, including legal aspects of complaint resolution committees and grievance processes.
• Advise on regulatory compliance and legal risk management; maintain a legal risk register and provide periodic updates to the Director General on high-risk matters.
• Review and advise on HR-related legal matters (service rules, disciplinary proceedings, employment contracts) to ensure fair and consistent treatment and legal defensibility.
• Support international cooperation and trade matters by reviewing legal aspects of SPS notifications, equivalence arrangements, mutual recognition and related agreements.
• Maintain a legal repository of laws, rules, precedents and legal opinions; strengthen document management and version control for regulatory instruments.
• Provide training and capacity building for officers on legal procedures, drafting, evidence handling and court processes to improve enforcement quality.
• Perform any other legal responsibilities assigned by the Director General or Board/committees.
• Interact on behalf of the Authority with relevant Federal and Provincial government authorities as and when required with regard to corporate/ contractual/ commercial/ legal matters of the Authority.
• Provide support in preparation and vetting of Service Level Agreements with various public and private sector stakeholders.
• Review and legal endorsement and legal vetting of Bidding Documents, contracts/ agreements for inviting Bids for procurement as per Public Procurement Rules, 2004, Notification of successful bidder and assistance in grievances redressal or any other matter incidental thereto.
• Provide legal assistance to vet contracts and handle disputes in contract agreement whether at national or international level.

Requirements

Education:

• LLB (Minimum) / LLM preferred from a recognized university; enrollment as an Advocate of the High Court is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience drafting or reviewing legislation, rules/regulations, notifications, contracts and procurement documents.

Experience:

• Minimum 12 years of relevant legal experience, including regulatory/administrative law, commercial/contracts, and litigation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Pakistan administrative and criminal justice processes (evidence, procedures), and experience coordinating court matters and legal representation.
• Experience advising on enforcement, adjudication and compliance functions in a regulator, autonomous body or public sector organization is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of SPS regulatory context and international trade law principles (WTO SPS, Codex/WOAH/IPPC frameworks) is an advantage.
• Excellent legal writing, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leadership and prepare Board/committee briefs.
• High integrity, confidentiality and sound judgment; strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.