Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives · Capacity Building & Institutional Strengthening · Official Recruitment 2026

Ministry of Planning Development Punjab Jobs 2026 – Chief Research & Policy Officer | Advisor Population Strategy

The Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives is recruiting two senior policy professionals for its Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Project at the Pak Secretariat, Islamabad. Contract positions on strict merit basis at PPS-12 and PPS-11. Age limit up to 62 years.

Ministry of Planning Development Punjab Jobs 2026. The Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (M/o PD&SI) serves as the apex federal body for national economic planning, development policy formulation, and coordination of major government initiatives in Pakistan. Housing the Planning Commission of Pakistan, the Ministry is responsible for preparing the Annual Development Programme (ADP), long-term national development plans, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) alignment, population policy, and coordination of flagship programs including Uraan Pakistan. The Ministry operates from the Pak Secretariat in Islamabad and works directly with all federal ministries, provincial governments, international development partners, and multilateral agencies.

The Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Project within M/o PD&SI is designed to enhance the Ministry’s research and analytical capability, strengthen its population strategy functions, and build robust institutional systems for evidence-based policy-making. The two senior contract positions being recruited in 2026 represent key leadership roles within this project — targeting PhD and Masters-level professionals with deep development sector expertise who can drive high-impact research, policy advisory, and population governance functions at the federal level.

📊 Senior Research, Policy & Population Advisory Roles

Q: How do I apply for Ministry of Planning jobs 2026 and what is the deadline?

Apply online through the National Job Portal (NJP) at njp.gov.pk. Create or log in to your NJP account, search for the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives vacancies, and complete the online application. Review the detailed Terms of Reference at pc.gov.pk before applying. The deadline is within 15 days of the advertisement’s publication date. Government servants must apply through proper channel.

Q: Are these Ministry of Planning positions permanent or contract?

Both positions — Chief Research & Policy Officer (PPS-12) and Advisor for Population Strategy and Governance (PPS-11) — are on a contract basis under the Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Project. They are not permanent civil service appointments. Selection is strictly on merit. The contract duration and renewal terms are specified in the detailed Terms of Reference available at pc.gov.pk.

Q: Why is the age limit set at 62 years for both positions rather than the standard 35 or 45?

The elevated age limit of 62 years is a deliberate reflection of the seniority and depth of experience these positions require. The Chief Research & Policy Officer needs 12+ years of experience (including development sector exposure), while the Advisor for Population Strategy needs 15+ years. Such extensive experience profiles typically belong to professionals aged 45 and above. The higher age ceiling allows the Ministry to attract retired civil servants, senior academics, and experienced development professionals who bring decades of specialized knowledge to these advisory roles.

Q: What is the Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Project at M/o PD&SI?

The Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Project is an initiative within the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives aimed at enhancing the Ministry’s internal institutional capacity for evidence-based policy-making, research, and development planning. The project focuses on strengthening the Ministry’s research function, data analytics capabilities, population policy advisory capacity, and governance frameworks to better serve Pakistan’s national development objectives under programs like Uraan Pakistan.

Q: What does the Chief Research & Policy Officer role add to the Planning Commission?

The Chief Research & Policy Officer strengthens the Planning Commission’s evidence generation and policy analysis capacity — translating research on development economics, health systems, and population dynamics into actionable policy recommendations for national development plans, the Annual Development Programme, and cross-sector strategies. This role is essential for ensuring that Pakistan’s planning processes are grounded in robust data and international best practice rather than institutional inertia.

Q: What development sector experience qualifies for the Advisor Population Strategy position?

The Advisor for Population Strategy and Governance requires 15 years in development sector programming or development planning. Qualifying experience includes working with or for international development organizations (UN agencies, World Bank, ADB), bilateral development programs (DFID/FCDO, USAID, GIZ), government development programs in population welfare, family planning, or health sectors, national population survey programs, or academic institutions conducting applied development research. Experience in inter-agency coordination, policy formulation, and M&E framework design is especially relevant.

Q: Can a government servant currently in service apply for these M/o PD&SI positions?

Yes, currently serving government employees may apply, but they are required to do so through the proper official channel — meaning their application must be forwarded with the knowledge and approval of their current employing department. Applying without following the proper channel process is not permissible. Selected government servants would typically need to obtain leave, deputation, or resign from their current service to take up these contract positions, depending on their cadre and service rules.

Q: What is PPS-12 and PPS-11 and what salary can these positions offer?

PPS (Pakistan Pay Scale) is the pay scale system used for contract employees in federal autonomous bodies, public sector projects, and specialized government institutions. PPS-12 and PPS-11 are senior-tier scales designed for highly experienced professionals in leadership roles. While exact figures depend on the project’s approved budget, PPS-12 positions typically command monthly packages of PKR 350,000–700,000 and PPS-11 positions PKR 280,000–550,000, making these among the most financially rewarding contract positions available in Pakistan’s public development sector.

Q: What is Uraan Pakistan and how does it relate to these Ministry of Planning positions?

Uraan Pakistan is the current federal government’s flagship national development initiative aimed at accelerating economic growth, improving human capital, advancing digitization, and achieving sustainable development targets across Pakistan. The Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives serves as the coordinating body for Uraan Pakistan. The Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening project — for which these two positions are being recruited — directly supports the Ministry’s capacity to plan, monitor, and evaluate Uraan Pakistan’s program streams including population and health.

Q: Is a STEM degree valid for the Advisor Population Strategy and Governance position?

Yes. The qualification requirement for the Advisor for Population Strategy and Governance (PPS-11) explicitly includes “any other STEM field” as an acceptable discipline alongside Public Policy, Data Sciences, Development Economics, and Management. This means candidates with advanced degrees in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Epidemiology, Demography, or related STEM disciplines are eligible — provided they also have the required 15 years of development sector programming or planning experience.

Q: Can candidates from international development organizations (UN, World Bank, NGOs) apply for these positions?

Yes, professionals currently working or previously employed with international organizations such as UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, World Bank, ADB, bilateral development agencies, or international NGOs are eligible and likely competitive candidates for both positions — provided they meet the educational and experience requirements. Development sector experience gained with international organizations is particularly relevant for the Advisor Population Strategy role, which requires inter-agency coordination and engagement with multilateral partners.

Q: Where are the detailed Terms of Reference (ToRs) for these Ministry of Planning positions available?

The complete and authoritative Terms of Reference (ToRs) for both the Chief Research & Policy Officer (PPS-12) and the Advisor for Population Strategy and Governance (PPS-11) are available on the Planning Commission of Pakistan’s official website at pc.gov.pk. Candidates are strongly advised to download and read the ToRs carefully before applying, as they contain the full scope of work, deliverables, performance indicators, and specific eligibility details beyond the summary published in the advertisement.

Q: What is the difference between the Chief Research & Policy Officer and the Advisor for Population Strategy roles at M/o PD&SI?

The Chief Research & Policy Officer (PPS-12) is a broader senior leadership role focused on the overall research and policy analysis function of the Capacity Building project — spanning multiple development sectors with special emphasis on Health and Population. The Advisor for Population Strategy and Governance (PPS-11) is a specialized technical advisory role focused specifically on Pakistan’s national population strategy, governance frameworks for population programs, and demographic data analysis. The CRPO leads research; the Advisor leads population-specific strategic advisory.

📋 Job Summary

Apply at njp.gov.pk within 15 days of advertisement · Review ToRs at pc.gov.pk · Government servants via proper channel · No TA/DA · Strictly merit-based shortlisting.