Assistant Director/ Senior Assistant Director (Tech Strategy)

Ministry of Transport; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Transport in Singapore seeks an Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director in Technology Strategy to advance transport connectivity through S&T policy, data innovation and R&D portfolio management.

You will shape long‑term technology policy, coordinate with MOT agencies, and translate emerging technologies into future transport capabilities while engaging stakeholders to drive cross‑sector collaboration.

Qualifications

• 3 years’ experience in public policy, S&T strategy, or data governance.
• Strong analytical and writing skills; ability to synthesize complex information.
• Familiarity with futures thinking, innovation ecosystems, and public sector transformation.
• Knowledge in public infrastructure, transport and engineering sector.

Responsibilities

• Formulate science and technology (S&T) and data policies aligned with national transport and connectivity goals.
• Draft components of the MOT Family S&T Frameworks, programmes and plans.
• Work with MOT agencies to shape longer-term R&D priorities across land, aviation, maritime and logistics.
• Plan and engage stakeholders using futures thinking and horizon scanning methodologies.
• Monitor and assess emerging technologies (e.g., AI, cybersecurity, next generation infrastructure) and their relevance to the transport sector.
• Identify opportunities to translate emerging technologies and research into future transport capabilities and applications.
• Contribute to risk assessments and help identify regulatory gaps or strategic vulnerabilities concerning new scientific and technological advancements.
• Liaise with other MOT HQ divisions, and SBs to engage external partners and align policy directions.
• Organise and manage working groups and inter-agency meetings to support collaborative initiatives.
• Drive strategic R&D initiatives from problem definition through programme development and funding approvals.
• Harmonise R&D governance, approval and programme-management approaches across the MOT family.
• Identify portfolio gaps, overlaps and opportunities for synergies, and synthesise technical and policy considerations for management decisions.
• Assist in implementing capability development programmes to enhance S&T planning and R&D portfolio management, and data and AI literacy across the MOT family.
• Work across MOT to connect R&D with policy, regulatory, AI and industry efforts, and facilitate downstream pull-through of mature technologies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Public policy

S&T strategy

Education

Background in engineering, science & technology or public policy

Job description

What the role is:

Singapore is internationally renowned for our transport infrastructure and for being a global aviation and maritime hub. At the Ministry of Transport (MOT), we spearhead developments in our air, land and sea transport sectors to advance Singapore's economic competitiveness and Singaporeans' quality of life. We seek dynamic, analytical and committed individuals to join our able MOT team in realising our vision of a global interconnected transport hub. If you share our vision and possess the qualities we seek, do join us!

What you will be working on:

As Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director of Technology Strategy in the Technology and Data Policy Department, you will be supporting the Deputy Director to advance Singapore's transport and connectivity agenda through science, technology, R&D portfolio management, and data innovation. You will shape MOT's longer-term technology policy and R&D strategies. You will also contribute to strategic planning, and cross-agency coordination, including shaping R&D priorities and initiatives across the MOT family,

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development & Strategic Planning

• Formulate science and technology (S&T) and data policies aligned with national transport and connectivity goals.
• Draft components of the MOT Family S&T Frameworks, programmes and plans.
• Work with MOT agencies to collectively shape longer-term R&D priorities across land, aviation, maritime and logistics, including cross-cutting research opportunities across transport domains.
• Plan and engage stakeholders using futures thinking and horizon scanning methodologies to identify emerging issues, opportunities and risks.

Technology Evaluation & Risk Analysis

• Monitor and assess emerging technologies (e.g., AI, cybersecurity, next generation infrastructure, quantum) and their relevance to the transport sector.
• Identify opportunities to translate emerging technologies and research into future transport capabilities and applications.
• Contribute to risk assessments and help identify regulatory gaps or strategic vulnerabilities concerning new scientific and technological advancements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Liaise with other MOT HQ divisions, and Statutory Boards (SBs) to engage external partners like research institutions and industry ecosystem players to gather inputs and align policy directions, as well as develop shared research priorities and translate operational challenges into R&D opportunities.
• Foster cross-sector and multidisciplinary collaborations to address common transport challenges.
• Organise and manage working groups and inter-agency meetings to support collaborative initiatives.

R&D Portfolio & Governance

• Drive strategic R&D initiatives from problem definition and research scoping through programme development and funding approvals.
• Harmonise R&D governance, approval and programme-management approaches across the MOT family.
• Identify portfolio gaps, overlaps and opportunities for synergies, and synthesise technical and policy considerations for management decisions.

Capability Building & Transformation

• Assist in implementing capability development programmes to enhance S&T planning and R&D portfolio management, and data and AI literacy across the MOT family.
• Work across MOT to connect R&D with related policy, regulatory, AI and industry efforts, and facilitate the downstream pull-through of more mature technologies.
• Support transformation efforts in the SBs harness S&T and data effectively.

What we are looking for:

• Background in engineering, science and technology, public policy or other relevant fields.

Experience & Technical Skills

• 3 years’ experience in public policy, S&T strategy, or data governance.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Familiarity with futures thinking, innovation ecosystems, and public sector transformation.
• Knowledge in public infrastructure, transport and engineering sector.

Core Competencies

• Strong communication (written & verbal), stakeholder management, and cross agency coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multi stakeholder programmes within tight deadlines.
• Sound judgement, attention to detail, and high standards of governance.
• Ability to work independently to define and achieve goals.

About Ministry of Transport

The Mission of Ministry of Transport is to develop Singapore's land, sea and air transport sectors so as to enhance our economic competitiveness and quality of life in a knowledge-based economy. MOT oversees the development and regulation of the following sectors:

• Civil Aviation and Air Transport
• Maritime and Ports
• Land Transport

Besides providing an efficient and cost-effective transportation in Singapore, it also strives to make Singapore an international civil aviation and maritime centre for the region. The ministry sets the strategic and policy direction while operations and regulatory works are carried out by the statutory boards under its charge. There are four statutory boards which are established by Acts of Parliament: the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Public Transport Council (PTC). The ministry also oversees the operation of the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB).