Executive Director / Director General – N@DIR

NADRA requires an Executive Director / Director General for N@DIR (National Institute for Demographics and Identity Research), a national research and technology institute being established under NADRA for biometrics, digital identity, registration-process research, independent testing, sovereign ABIS/AFIS technologies and indigenous technology development. Contractual post at Islamabad with a 6 months probation period.

• Provide strategic, scientific and institutional leadership for N@DIR and implement its mandate and roadmap
• Lead a national research programme in biometrics, digital identity, AI/ML, identity assurance and emerging technologies
• Lead development of Pakistan-owned AFIS/ABIS, fingerprint, face, iris, multimodal biometric and PAD/Liveness technologies
• Establish independent national testing, benchmarking, standards and certification capability for biometric and digital-identity technologies
• Oversee R&D of biometric devices, embedded systems, secure enrolment equipment, kiosks and mobile biometric platforms
• Establish secure research environments, identity sandbox and data governance, privacy, cybersecurity and research-ethics controls
• Develop partnerships with universities, research institutions, standards organizations, government and industry
• Lead the N@DIR Academic Network, research grants, fellowships and postgraduate research programmes
• Drive transition from research and prototypes to evaluation, pilots and technology transfer to NADRA/NTL
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
• Develop annual research portfolio, technology roadmap, budget and performance targets
• Represent N@DIR at national and international forums

• Master's or MPhil or PhD - Master's/MS/MPhil, PhD (preferred), in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Mathematics, Cyber Security, Biometrics, Computer Vision, Digital Identity, recognised by HEC
• Master's/MS/MPhil in Computer Science/AI/ML/Computer, Electrical or Electronics Engineering/IT/Data Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Cybersecurity/Biometrics/Computer Vision/Digital Identity or closely related discipline from an HEC recognized institution
• Degrees must be attested by HEC
• Experience managing large R&D setups and teams
• Experience in research, prototyping, independent testing, benchmarking, pilot deployment and technology transfer
• Experience in standards, certification or conformance testing highly desirable
• NOC required at interview for Government/Semi-Government employees

• Required experience: At least 15 years
• Minimum 15 years relevant post-qualification experience including substantial senior leadership in technology, research, engineering, biometrics, digital identity or high-assurance ICT systems; experience leading large-scale R&D programmes

• All candidates: 18 – 55 years
• Age is counted on the closing date, 25 Oct 2026.

An upper limit of 55 years means you must not have reached that age on the date age is counted. A relaxation applies only to the candidates the advertisement names, with the proof it asks for.

In the advertisement's words:

• Maximum age 55 years including 5 years general relaxation

1. Written or screening test
2. Interview
3. Medical examination

• Paper type: Mcqs

Only shortlisted candidates will be called for test/interview. Application guide available in the Downloads section of the NADRA careers portal. Electronic gadgets such as mobile phones and smart watches are not allowed during test/interview.

• CNIC
• HEC Attested Degrees/Certificates
• Experience Certificates
• NOC (Government/Semi-Government employees)
• Medical Fitness Certificate
• Character Certificate

1. Sign in with PAKID on the NADRA careers portal
2. Complete the online application form
3. Upload required documents
4. Submit the application online before the deadline

Advertised by

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA)

Application link

careers.nadra.gov.pk

Added to this site

13 Oct 2026

No advertisement file is on record for this vacancy. Confirm every detail on the official site before applying.

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