Project Director / Executive Director

About This Job

The Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives has opened recruitment for a Project Director/Executive Director (PPS-12) to head its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat in Islamabad, under the government's newly launched "Powering CPEC 2.0" hiring drive carried out alongside the Uraan Pakistan program. The Secretariat is the government's dedicated coordination body for the second phase of CPEC, tasked with translating the CPEC Long Term Plan and successive Joint Cooperation Committee decisions into functioning projects across energy, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, maritime affairs, science and technology, and public communication. This is a single, senior leadership vacancy: the successful candidate will be responsible for establishing and operating a fully functional Secretariat, liaising directly with Chinese counterparts on an efficient, best-practice basis, and providing facilitation to line ministries at every stage of a project's lifecycle, from initial investment proposals and feasibility studies through to the appointment of consultants and advisors. The Director will also assist the Ministry in processing CPEC-related projects in line with the bilateral understandings between Pakistan and China, in identifying and managing project risks, and in handling the senior-level stakeholder interactions with public and private-sector institutions that keep CPEC activities coordinated, marketed and represented at the highest level.

Eligible applicants must hold a postgraduate qualification (master's degree) in Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, or an equivalent discipline., together with minimum 15 years of progressive and verifiable senior-management experience in government or the private sector, with demonstrated leadership capability to manage a multidisciplinary team of experts, a self-driven and proactive management style, a track record of analyzing and resolving complex problems, and strong communication and interpersonal skills; candidates with good knowledge of the Chinese economy and language are particularly encouraged to apply. The advertisement caps the maximum age at 62 years for both men and women, with no minimum age specified, and the post is filled on an all-Pakistan open-merit basis with no domicile or provincial quota attached; women, minorities and persons with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply, though the notice does not set aside a numerical quota for any of these groups.

Interested applicants must apply online through the Planning Commission's career portal at pc.gov.pk/web/career, using the position's own application link, or may alternatively submit an application by courier on the prescribed proforma also available at that address; the Secretariat's advertisement notes that a QR code on the notice leads directly to the online form. Candidates already serving in government departments are required to route their applications through the proper channel, and no application fee is mentioned anywhere in the notice or its accompanying terms of reference. These posts are described as open until filled, with the CPEC Secretariat reviewing applications on a rolling basis as they arrive, though the career portal itself lists 15 September 2026 as the current closing date, so interested candidates are advised to submit well before then rather than assume an indefinite window. Only candidates who are shortlisted on the basis of qualification and experience will be called for a test or interview, no TA/DA will be paid for attending, and the Secretariat has reserved the right to increase, decrease, or altogether cancel the number of posts during the recruitment process. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are specifically encouraged to apply, although the advertisement does not attach a numerical quota to any of these categories.

Job Information

Commission / Board

Planning Commission

Place of posting

CPEC Secretariat, Islamabad

City

Islamabad

Postal Code

44000

Domicile

All Punjab Basis

Age (Male)

18–62 years

Age (Female)

18–62 years

Age note

No minimum age is specified in the advertisement or TORs; 18 (standard adult eligibility age) is recorded as a baseline since the age_min column does not accept null. The figure shown in age_max is the only age limit explicitly stated in the ad.

Salary / BPS

PPS-12 - Pay as admissible to the corresponding grade

Fee note

No application fee is mentioned in the advertisement or TORs.

Last date

15 September 2026

Qualification Required

• Qualification: A postgraduate qualification (master's degree) in Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, or an equivalent discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 15 years of progressive and verifiable senior-management experience in government or the private sector, with demonstrated leadership capability to manage a multidisciplinary team of experts, a self-driven and proactive management style, a track record of analyzing and resolving complex problems, and strong communication and interpersonal skills; candidates with good knowledge of the Chinese economy and language are particularly encouraged to apply.

Posts Breakdown

Test / Selection Process

How to Apply

1. Candidates must apply online through the Planning Commission's career portal (pc.gov.pk/web/career) using the position-specific application link, or submit a hard copy by courier on the prescribed proforma to the CPEC Secretariat, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Islamabad; applicants already serving in government must apply through the proper channel. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test/interview and no TA/DA is admissible.

Additional Details

Tor Url

https://pc.gov.pk/uploads/job_desc/tors-cpec-2-0-project-director-sept-2026.pdf

Campaign

Powering CPEC 2.0 - Join the Team

Pay Note

Pay as admissible to the corresponding PPS-12 grade

Pid Reference

PID(I)2043/26

Rolling Basis Note

Position open until filled; candidate reviews begin immediately on a rolling basis.

Key Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership, supervision and strategic direction to the CPEC Secretariat; lead coordination with Chinese counterparts and facilitate effective implementation of CPEC initiatives and projects; support line ministries and relevant institutions throughout the CPEC project lifecycle, including feasibility studies and consultant appointments; oversee stakeholder coordination, project-related risks and senior-level engagement with public and private sector institutions; support implementation of CPEC priorities consistent with the CPEC Long Term Plan and decisions of the Joint Cooperation Committee.

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