CPEC Jobs 2026: PIDE Centre of Excellence Vacancies Open

The Centre of Excellence for CPEC at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics is hiring five people for policy research, socio-economic development, research support and administration. These CPEC Jobs are project-based positions in Islamabad under the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives. The appointments are initially for two years and can be extended based on satisfactory performance.

The current recruitment includes two senior Head of Policy positions, one Research Associate, one Admin & HR Officer and one Assistant Admin/HR. The senior policy roles require a PhD and long research experience, while the Research Associate and administration positions have different education and experience requirements. Candidates should choose the post that fits their actual academic and professional background.

📌 Available Job Positions

Closing Date: 31 August 2026

Head of Policy – Regional Connectivity & Integration

• Number of Posts: 1
• Scale: PPS 10/11
• Maximum Age: 50 years
• Qualification: PhD from an HEC-recognized local or foreign university
• Relevant Fields: International Trade, global value chains or supply chains, Port Management, Transportation or Logistics Planning
• Experience: 10 years, including at least 5 years after PhD

Head of Policy – Socio-Economic Development

• Number of Posts: 1
• Scale: PPS 10/11
• Maximum Age: 50 years
• Qualification: PhD from an HEC-recognized local or foreign university
• Relevant Fields: Economics, Agriculture Economics, Sociology or Public Policy
• Experience: 10 years, including at least 5 years after PhD

Research Associate

• Number of Posts: 1
• Scale: PPS 07/08
• Maximum Age: 35 years
• Qualification: MS/MPhil or equivalent degree from an HEC-recognized university in a relevant subject
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of research experience

Admin & HR Officer

• Number of Posts: 1
• Scale: PPS 07/08
• Maximum Age: 40 years
• Qualification: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field
• Experience: Minimum 5 years in administration, preferably in government or a PSDP project

Assistant Admin/HR

• Number of Posts: 1
• Scale: PPS 05/06
• Maximum Age: 30 years
• Qualification: 16 years of education in Management or Public Administration from an HEC-recognized university
• Experience: At least 2 years in public-sector projects is preferred

Head of Policy Roles

The two Head of Policy positions are senior research and leadership jobs. The selected professionals will lead policy research, use data and evidence to develop policy insights, work with national and international stakeholders and represent research through seminars, conferences and policy discussions. They will also guide research teams and support cross-disciplinary work.

The Regional Connectivity & Integration role is especially relevant to applicants with work in trade, logistics, transport, regional cooperation, cross-border trade or CPEC-related policy. The Socio-Economic Development role is aimed more toward poverty reduction, labour markets, rural development, livelihoods, human capital, social protection and inclusive growth.

Research Associate Role

The Research Associate will support policy research by conducting literature reviews, gathering data and helping with quantitative and qualitative analysis. The job also includes maintaining research databases and contributing to policy briefs, research papers and reports.

Applicants should have an MS/MPhil or equivalent qualification and at least two years of research experience. Useful technical skills include quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis tools such as Excel, SPSS or R. Experience connected with science, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, data science or technology management can be relevant for this post.

Admin and HR Positions

The Admin & HR Officer will manage office administration, recruitment support, employee records, procurement, office inventory and facilities. Knowledge of PPRA rules, procurement or tendering and HR work in PSDP projects is important for this position. Microsoft Office skills are also useful for the daily work.

The Assistant Admin/HR role supports office operations, staff records, recruitment processes and filing. It is a lower-level position than the Admin & HR Officer and can suit applicants with 16 years of relevant education and early professional experience in public-sector projects.

Contract and Work Location

These positions are based in Islamabad and are linked with the Centre of Excellence for CPEC. The initial contract is for two years and can be extended annually on satisfactory performance until completion of the project. Applicants should consider the project-based nature of the work before applying.

How to Apply for CPEC Jobs

Candidates applying for CPEC Jobs should use the PIDE careers portal or the National Job Portal. Select the correct post, complete the online application and enter education and employment information carefully. Government and public-sector employees should follow the proper channel for their application.

For the senior policy roles, keep research leadership, publications, project work and relevant policy experience easy to find. Research Associate applicants should show research methods and data-analysis work. Admin candidates should focus on HR, procurement, office administration and PSDP experience where applicable.

Before You Apply

Check the age limit, qualification, scale and experience for the position you select. The five jobs are at different career levels, so one profile will not fit all of them. Apply for the role that has the strongest connection with your education and actual work history.