Assistant Director (BPS-17): Role Overview, Eligibility, and Application Guide

Role & Responsibilities

An Assistant Director (BPS-17) usually operates within a federal or provincial government department. This mid-level officer often leads program implementation, policy coordination, administrative oversight, and serves as a key liaison between senior leadership and operational staff.

Typical responsibilities may include:

  • Coordinating departmental initiatives and managing project timelines.
  • Leading staff teams and ensuring effective task execution.
  • Drafting policy briefs, reports, and official correspondence.
  • Liaising with stakeholders, other government bodies, and the public.
  • Upholding compliance with regulations and internal standards.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Here’s a commonly observed framework for such appointments:

Educational Background

  • A Master’s degree (16 years of education) in a relevant discipline (Public Administration, Management, Economics, Social Sciences, Law, or specialized technical fields), from an HEC-recognized university.
  • Some roles may accept a Bachelor’s degree plus significant experience or require professional qualifications.

Relevant Experience

  • Generally, at least two to four years of post-qualification experience in administration, project management, or leadership roles—particularly within government, NGOs, or policy work.
  • Prior exposure to program execution, coordination, or regulatory frameworks is a strong advantage.

Age Limit

  • Usually 21–30 years for fresh entrants, with up to 5 years’ relaxation under government rules (e.g., for existing government servants, minorities, etc.).

Skill Set

  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Proficiency in official documentation and reporting.
  • Basic IT literacy—comfort with tools such as MS Office, spreadsheets, and email systems.
  • Leadership, teamwork, and analytical abilities.
  • Policy drafting and planning competencies for some roles.

2. How to Apply

A. Through Public Service Commissions (FPSC/PPSC, etc.)

  1. Visit the official website of the appropriate Commission (e.g., FPSC for federal, PPSC for Punjab, etc.).
  2. Seek “Assistant Director (BPS-17)” vacancies under relevant cadres.
  3. Submit the online application, along with scanned documents (degree, CNIC, experience certificates) and apply fee.
  4. Prepare for the written exam (subject knowledge, general awareness, English) and subsequent interview.

B. Departmental or Ad-Hoc Recruitment

  • Some departments post vacancies on their official website or in national newspapers.
  • Applications may be submitted online or via post, including a CV, degrees, CNIC, and any supporting documents. Interviews or practical assessments may follow.

3. Where to Apply

  • FPSC – for federal roles.
  • Provincial Public Service Commissions like PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, etc.
  • Departmental portals, depending on the specific cadre (e.g., Planning & Development, Health, Education, etc.).
  • Regular national newspapers like Dawn, The News, or official gazettes also frequently carry alerts.

4. Application Tips

  • Clearly highlight administrative or project coordination experience in your CV.
  • If you’ve contributed to policy drafting, mention specifics: e.g., official documents, memos, or reports.
  • Carefully tailor your cover letter and CV to align with the department’s mandate.
  • Keep your documents—especially CNIC, degrees, and experience certificates—ready and properly scanned for online submissions.
  • Prepare thoroughly for written exams by brushing up on general knowledge, current affairs, and any technical content aligned with the department’s focus.

Leave a Comment