Assistant / Deputy Director, Social Policy

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC); Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading workers' rights organization in Singapore is seeking an Assistant/Deputy Director for the Social Policy Department. This role focuses on advocating for worker protection, health, and welfare through strategic initiatives and collaboration with government agencies. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, experience in policy analysis, and a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of workers. Join us in championing worker rights and making a difference.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for driving positive change for workers.
• Strong knowledge of workplace issues and public policy.
• Experience in policy analysis and project management.

Responsibilities

• Drive Workplace Health and Safety Programme.
• Lead projects to assess and address workers' issues.
• Develop and manage advocacy campaigns.
• Collaborate with unions and business units on policy.
• Liaise with government agencies to advance workers' interests.
• Oversee operations and resource planning.

Skills

Passion for workers' rights

Strong communication skills

Problem solving

Stakeholder relationship management

Policy analysis

Job description

Who we are

Pioneering workers' rights since 1961, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) unites 59 trade unions, seven trade associations, 12 social enterprises, and other enterprise partners as we create better lives for workers here in Singapore. Our work cuts across the different ages and stages of life as we walk the ground and respond to everyday needs. Through initiatives that protect our workers at work, transform careers, manage the cost of living, help with financial resilience and health, and nurture relationships for families, we champion every worker through every touch point as we work towards better wages, welfare, and work prospects. Because Every Worker Matters.

The Role

The role will reside in NTUC’s Social Policy Department, which is responsible for providing advice to the Labour Movement’s leadership, and developing advocacy on a broad range of workplace and welfare matters to safeguard workers’ Protection, Placement, Progression, and Privileges. In line with NTUC’s mission to champion workers’ interests, the incumbent will deputise the Director (Social Policy) and take the lead in these areas.

Responsibilities

• The Assistant / Deputy Director, Social Policy will drive activations and effectiveness of the Labour Movement's Workplace Health and Safety Programme, and secure NTUC and workers’ interests in national policy decisions pertaining to population health, mental wellbeing, personal financial success and retirement adequacy.
• Lead projects to engage consult and validate key issues faced by workers providing informed assessments on existing policies legislation and regulations identifying gaps and recommending actionable solutions.
• Drive awareness initiatives and campaigns addressing workers’ workplace concerns enhancing the Labour Movement’s profile and advocacy impact including developing and managing campaign strategies preparing position papers talking points briefs and other essential advocacy materials.
• Collaborate closely with internal business units and unions to ensure comprehensive understanding of policy implications opportunities and trade-offs providing guidance on internal policy implementation.
• Support Labour Movement representatives in liaising with relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Manpower Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board to advance workers’ interests and secure continued support for NTUC’s mission.
• Oversee departmental operations and resource planning to ensure effective coordination and execution of social policy initiatives.

Job Requirements

• Have a genuine passion for workers of all backgrounds and a strong commitment to driving positive change.
• Possess curiosity and well-informed perspectives on workplace issues, labour relations, public policy, government affairs, and sociopolitical trends impacting workers’ welfare, working conditions, and access to representation.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of workplace safety and occupational health issues faced by workers, interventions, and compliance.
• Be able to analyse and interpret current issues, policy developments, political movements, legislation, regulations, and labour-related data to derive insights, develop strategies, prepare reports and briefings, and propose practical programme designs.
• Exhibit strengths in structured thinking, problem solving, effective communication, persuasion, stakeholder relationship management, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Be comfortable navigating complexity, cross boundary issues, and trade-offs to drive collective solutioning.
• Have prior middle management experience guiding teams in policy analysis, negotiation, project management, advocacy initiatives, programme planning and piloting, stakeholder mobilisation, and staffing leaders, meetings, and events.
• Be able to lead own team and functions while also leading or participating in matrix teams of cross-functional stakeholders to solve issues with agility.