Duty Station: Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
No. of Positions: 01
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (National Position)
Contract Duration: Initial one (01) year (July–June), renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds, up to the project duration.
Remuneration: Competitive salary in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with employment benefits in accordance with SRSO Human Resource Policies.

Position Summary

The Institutional and Policy Assessment Expert will serve as the lead technical specialist responsible for analyzing institutional arrangements, governance frameworks, and policy environments relevant to rice-based agricultural development and rural livelihoods. The incumbent will ensure technical quality in institutional and policy-related components of the project and provide strategic recommendations to strengthen governance, institutional efficiency, and policy coherence.

The expert will support project planning, reporting, and evaluation by providing high-quality technical inputs related to institutional capacity, policy frameworks, and governance reforms, with a focus on the agriculture sector and rural development.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

A. Institutional and Policy Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of institutional arrangements, governance structures, and policy frameworks affecting rice production, value chains, and rural development.

• Identify institutional bottlenecks, gaps, and opportunities for reforms or improvements.

• Analyze the regulatory environment and recommend measures to enhance institutional efficiency and policy alignment.

B. Policy Advisory and Technical Support

• Provide technical inputs to policy briefs, guidelines, and strategic documents.

• Support alignment of project activities with national and sectoral policies.

• Recommend institutional mechanisms to strengthen coordination between government agencies, research institutions, and development partners.

C. Capacity Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate engagement with government institutions, policy makers, and sector stakeholders.

• Support capacity-building initiatives to strengthen institutional knowledge and policy implementation.

• Promote adoption of evidence-based policy recommendations in project interventions.

D. Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Contribute technical inputs to quarterly, annual, and evaluation reports related to institutional and policy components.

• Document best practices, lessons learned, and case studies to support institutional learning.

• Ensure project compliance with governance and institutional guidelines set by donors and national policies.

Deliverables

The Institutional and Policy Assessment Expert shall deliver:

1. Institutional and Policy Assessment Report

2. Recommendations for Governance and Institutional Reforms

3. Policy Briefs and Technical Notes

4. Stakeholder Engagement Framework

5. Technical inputs to quarterly, annual, and evaluation reports

6. Documentation of lessons learned and best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (PhD preferred; MS/MSc required) in Public Policy, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline from an HEC-recognized institution.

• Minimum five (05) years of progressively responsible professional experience in institutional assessment, policy analysis, governance reforms, or related fields, preferably within the agriculture sector or rural development projects.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research, policy studies, or analytical assessments for government institutions, donor-funded programs, or development agencies.

• Proven track record in preparing policy briefs, institutional recommendations, and governance reform frameworks.

• Experience in engaging with government stakeholders, research institutions, and multi-stakeholder platforms to provide actionable policy and institutional guidance.

• Strong understanding of national agricultural policies, rural development frameworks, and institutional arrangements affecting rice production, value chains, or food security programs.

• Evidence of published research, studies, or technical reports on policy, governance, or institutional development is considered a strong asset.

Competencies (Core Competencies)

• Results Focus

• Communication

• Strategic Thinking

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Planning and Organizing

• Accountability

• Policy and Governance Expertise