SECP Career Opportunity: Seeking Additional Joint Director for Primary Market Approvals in Islamabad
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the apex regulator of the nation’s capital market and corporate sector, has announced a significant career opportunity for a senior-level professional. The Commission is seeking to hire a qualified, result-oriented, and dynamic individual for the regular position of Additional Joint Director within its crucial Primary Market Approvals and Development Department.
This Islamabad-based role is situated in the Securities Market Division and represents a unique opportunity for a seasoned Chartered Accountant to contribute to the integrity, development, and regulation of Pakistan’s financial landscape. The SECP is looking for a professional with impeccable integrity and exceptional technical and analytical skills to uphold the standards of the country’s capital markets. This position is not merely a job but a chance to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Pakistan’s corporate and financial sectors, ensuring they are fair, efficient, and transparent for all stakeholders.
The Critical Role: Gatekeeper of Pakistan’s Capital Markets
The Primary Market Approvals and Development Department stands at the very gateway of the capital markets. It is the division responsible for scrutinizing and approving the entry of companies seeking to raise capital from the public for the first time through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or other public issues of securities like debt instruments or rights issues. The department’s function is critical for maintaining investor confidence and market stability.
The Additional Joint Director in this department will hold a position of immense responsibility and trust. The role involves leading a team of professionals tasked with the detailed review of prospectuses, offering documents, and other materials submitted by companies. The core mandate is to ensure that these documents provide full, true, and plain disclosure of all material facts, allowing investors to make informed decisions. This gatekeeper function protects the public from potentially fraudulent or unstable ventures and ensures that only credible and well-governed entities can access public funds.
Beyond approvals, the “Development” aspect of the department’s title signifies a strategic, forward-looking responsibility. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to policy formulation, the development of new market products, and the enhancement of the regulatory framework to foster growth and innovation in Pakistan’s primary markets. This includes staying abreast of international best practices, identifying regulatory gaps, and proposing amendments to rules and regulations that can make the market more attractive, efficient, and secure. In essence, this role demands a professional who can balance the dual responsibilities of being a vigilant regulator and a proactive market developer.
Key Qualifications and Experience: Profile of the Ideal Candidate
The SECP has outlined a specific and high-level set of criteria to identify a candidate with the requisite expertise and background to excel in this demanding role.
Professional Qualification: The mandatory qualification for this position is a Chartered Accountant (CA). This specific requirement underscores the need for a professional with a deep and comprehensive understanding of financial reporting, corporate law, auditing standards, and business valuation. The rigorous training and ethical code associated with the CA qualification are considered essential for a role that involves complex financial analysis and regulatory oversight.
Post-Qualification Experience:
A minimum of eight (08) years of post-qualification professional experience is required.
This experience should be in the financial or corporate sector, within an audit firm, or, preferably, in a regulatory body or a related organization. The preference for regulatory experience indicates that the ideal candidate would already be familiar with the principles and practices of financial regulation, allowing for a smoother transition into the role.
A Significant Note on Experience: In a crucial clarification, the SECP has stated that “Articleship will be considered as part of requisite experience.” For Chartered Accountants, articleship is a mandatory period of practical training (typically 3.5 years) undertaken before qualification. Including this period as part of the eight-year experience requirement is a significant consideration, making the position accessible to a broader pool of highly qualified CAs who have substantial practical experience from the very beginning of their careers.
Age Limit: The maximum age for applicants should not exceed 45 years on the last date of the application submission. This points to a need for a professional who is both seasoned in their field and has a long-term career trajectory ahead of them.
A Commitment to Inclusivity and a Rigorous Selection Process
The SECP has positioned itself as an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce. This commitment is clearly reflected in the recruitment policy for this position.
Preference for Female Candidates: The advertisement explicitly states that female candidates who fulfill the specified criteria will be given preference, highlighting the Commission’s dedication to promoting gender diversity in its leadership ranks.
Encouragement for Diverse Groups: The SECP also encourages applications from minorities, people with special needs, and candidates from Balochistan and the Ex-FATA districts, reinforcing its role as a national institution that values talent from all segments of society.
Candidates should be prepared for a comprehensive and multi-faceted selection process designed to identify the best possible fit for this high-stakes role. The appointment will be subject to the successful clearance of:
A multi-tier interview process.
Medical tests.
A psychological assessment.
This rigorous procedure ensures that the selected individual not only possesses the necessary technical expertise but also demonstrates the integrity, judgment, and psychological resilience required to handle the pressures of a senior regulatory position.
Competitive Compensation and Application Procedure
In line with its status as a premier regulatory body, the SECP offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent.
Interested and eligible professionals are required to apply online. Paper-based or emailed applications will not be considered.
How to Apply:
Visit the official SECP careers page at: https://www.secp.gov.pk/careers/
On the careers page, locate the advertisement for the position of Additional Joint Director (Primary Market Approvals and Development Department).
Read the complete job description thoroughly to understand the full scope of responsibilities.
Complete the online application form with accurate and up-to-date information.
Application Deadline: The deadline for applications is within 15 days of the publication of this advertisement. Candidates are strongly advised to apply well in advance of the closing date, as applications received after the due date will not be entertained under any circumstances.
For any queries regarding the application process, candidates may contact the Deputy Director – HRD at +92 51 919 5444.
