Urban Unit jobs 2026 are 3 project-based Research Associate posts, 2 in Agriculture Economics and 1 Social, advertised by The Urban Unit of the Planning & Development Board, Punjab, and the last date is Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Both posts suit young Economics graduates: the age limit is 35 and the experience asked for is 0 to 1 year. You apply online on the Punjab Jobs Portal only.
The Urban Unit’s full name is The Urban Sector Planning & Management Services Unit. The ad says it has been developing sustainable urban solutions for cities in Pakistan for 20 years, and it wants “exceptionally sound and self-motivated professionals” for these project-based positions. We checked this page against the official ad, the two live job pages on jobs.punjab.gov.pk and the Urban Unit’s careers page on 15 September 2026.
Urban Unit jobs 2026 at a glance
- Who is hiring: The Urban Unit, Planning & Development Board, Government of the Punjab
- Posts: Research Associate Agriculture Economics (2) and Research Associate Social (1)
- Qualification: at least 16 years of education in Economics, HEC-recognised
- Experience: 0 to 1 year
- Age limit: up to 35 years
- Job type: project based; the portal lists the posts as contract
- How to apply: online at jobs.punjab.gov.pk only
- Last date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Who can apply
The printed ad gives only the post names, seats and age limit. It says the job details and terms of reference (ToRs) are on the Urban Unit website. The Urban Unit’s careers page and the two portal pages give the same qualification for both posts:
- Education: a minimum of 16 years of education in Economics from an HEC-recognised institution. The portal also lists MS or M.Phil (18 years) as a matching degree level.
- Experience for Research Associate Agriculture Economics: a minimum of 0 to 1 year of relevant experience in agriculture research, planning and policy.
- Experience for Research Associate Social: a minimum of 0 to 1 year of relevant experience in social sector research, planning and policy.
Note one thing that surprises people: the Social post also asks for a degree in Economics, not Sociology or another social science. If your 16-year degree is in a different subject, you do not meet the printed criteria.
Age: up to 35 years for both posts. The portal pages show the range as 18 to 35. The ad mentions no age relaxation.
Women and quotas: the ad says the Urban Unit is an equal opportunity employer, quotas will be observed as per rules wherever applicable, and female applicants are encouraged to apply. The portal shows both men and women can apply.
Government servants should apply through proper channel.
The portal pages also carry a note that a domicile is required for the position. The ad itself does not mention domicile, and the portal lists the district as “All Pakistan”. If you need a domicile, see our Punjab domicile online guide.
What the Research Associates will do
The duties below come from the Urban Unit’s careers page and the portal.
Research Associate Agriculture Economics will:
- Research the agriculture sector and identify key crops for each region, based on data and evidence
- Find missing links in each crop’s value chain, from seed to local and international markets
- Help build a framework to analyse existing agriculture policies and reforms
- Coordinate with other government departments to gather information
- Map areas for agriculture interventions and propose projects
- Review secondary data and recommend ways to improve the agriculture sector
Research Associate Social will:
- Research the economic and social sector, and help build a framework to analyse social development policies
- Coordinate with government departments to gather information
- Map areas for social interventions, propose projects and help identify regional development opportunities
- Review secondary data and support policy recommendations, analytical studies and education sector project proposals
Both posts also include any other task given by the task lead, supervisor or competent authority.
Pay scale and job type
The ad does not print a salary or pay scale, and the portal pages do not show one. The ad calls these project-based positions, and the Punjab Jobs Portal lists them as contract jobs. The ad does not say how long the project or contract lasts. No TA/DA (travel or daily allowance) is paid for coming to a test or interview.
How to apply for Urban Unit jobs 2026
The ad says to read the job details on the Urban Unit website and to apply online at jobs.punjab.gov.pk. Applications by hand, by courier or by email will not be entertained.
- Read the ToRs on the Urban Unit careers page, so you know what each post involves.
- Open the Punjab Jobs Portal at jobs.punjab.gov.pk.
- Register and log in. Click Register, enter your email and a password, and open the activation link the portal emails you. Log in with your email, password and the captcha code.
- Complete your profile. In the Profile Builder, add your personal details, your Economics degree with the institution and year, any research or internship experience, and your skills. The ad warns that applications with incomplete information will not be entertained.
- Find the post. Search the jobs list for “Research Associate Agriculture Economics” or “Research Associate Social”. The right page shows The Urban Unit as the department and 22-09-2026 as the last date.
- Apply. Click Apply for this Job, fill in the short form and submit. You can apply for each job only once, and you cannot edit it later.
- Keep the confirmation. The portal shows a message and also sends an email and a text message.
Our Punjab Job Portal guide explains each portal screen in more detail.
Documents you need
The ad does not ask you to post documents. Keep these ready for your profile and for the interview:
- Your CNIC
- Your Economics degree (16 years, or MS/M.Phil) and transcripts
- Experience or internship letters, if you have any
- Your domicile, since the portal page says it is required
- A no objection or permission letter through proper channel, if you are a government servant
Application fee
The ad does not mention any application fee, and applying on the Punjab Jobs Portal is free.
Selection process
- Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.
- The ad also mentions a test, but no test or interview date has been announced.
- The Urban Unit may cancel, increase or decrease the number of vacancies, and may accept or reject any application or cancel the process at any stage.
- No TA/DA is paid for the test or interview.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Ad posted on the Punjab Jobs Portal | 4 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | Tuesday, 22 September 2026 |
| Test or interview | Not announced yet |
Official advertisement and contact
- Official ad (IPL-9140) on the Punjab Jobs Portal: view the advertisement image
- Job details and ToRs: Urban Unit careers page
- Contact: Head of Human Capital Management, The Urban Unit, 503 Shaheen Complex, Egerton Road, Lahore
- Phone: 042-99205316-22, extension 202
- Fax: 042-99205323
On 15 September 2026, the “Download Advertisement” button on the Urban Unit careers page did not open the file, so use the portal copy of the ad instead. For portal problems such as login, contact portal support at jobsonlinesupport@punjab.gov.pk or 042-35880062, extension 1222.
Beware of fake job offers
No agent or “reference” can get you an Urban Unit job for money. This ad prints no fee, so anyone asking you to pay is cheating you. Apply only on jobs.punjab.gov.pk, and ignore anyone who offers to submit your CV by email or by hand, because the ad says those applications are rejected. If someone asks you for money, report it through the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal.
If Urban Unit jobs 2026 do not match your degree, see our Punjab Jobs page for more open government jobs. Looking for paid work experience instead? Our CM Punjab Internship Program guide explains which CM Punjab internships are running. GoPunjab is an independent website. We cannot apply for you or influence any hiring decision.
