Assistant Director / Senior Manager, Sector Capability, ECDA/TFN

Ministry Of Social And Family Development; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry Of Social And Family Development, via the Early Childhood Development Agency, seeks an experienced leader to drive sector capability and transformation in Singapore. You will oversee the Industry Digital Plan, related initiatives and governance across programmes, grants and partnerships to deliver measurable outcomes.

The role requires cross-domain work across policy, operations and technology, translating sector needs into practical actions and results for the early childhood sector.

Qualifications

• Experience in digital transformation, programme or policy development, grant management, partnership or business development.
• Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes from planning through implementation and evaluation, with governance, risk and budget capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, including ability to synthesize complex issues, brief senior management and influence diverse partners.
• Strong people-leadership skills, with experience setting direction and developing team capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead digitalisation and innovation initiatives, including planning, implementation, review, milestones and indicators; drive adoption of technology solutions for preschool operations and engagement.
• Oversee strategy and governance of grants and funding initiatives, including applications, audits and performance tracking.
• Build and manage partnerships with preschool operators, industry bodies, technology providers and education partners; represent the agency at engagements.

Skills

Digital transformation

Programme development

Grant management

Partnership development

Project management

Technology adoption

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

What the role is:

The Early Childhood Development Agency is looking for an experienced and forward-looking leader to drive sector capability and transformation initiatives across Singapore’s early childhood sector. You will lead the Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan and related initiatives, while contributing to broader capability-building through programmes, grants, partnerships and strategic projects. The role requires you to work across policy, operations and technology, translating sector needs into practical initiatives and measurable outcomes.

What you will be working on:

Digitalisation and innovation

Lead the planning, implementation and review of the Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan and related initiatives, with clear workplans, milestones and performance indicators; monitor digitalisation trends, technology developments and adoption outcomes.; Drive adoption of technology solutions that improve preschool operations, educator productivity, service quality and parent-centre engagement, including baseline technology requirements and relevant data integrations.; Guide the curation and pre-approval of appropriate digital, artificial intelligence-enabled and physical solutions, oversee pilots before wider implementation, and develop agency guidance and capability-building initiatives relating to EdTech, AI and emerging technologies.

Programme, grant and governance management

Oversee strategy, implementation and administration of the Early Childhood Digitalisation Grant and other funding initiatives, including applications, claims, audits and applicant queries; ensure adherence to public-sector grant governance, internal controls and service standards.; Review grant parameters, funding approaches and administrative processes, and recommend improvements based on adoption data, programme outcomes and sector feedback; track programme performance and use evidence to support resource decisions.

Stakeholder engagement and partnerships

Build strong relationships with preschool operators, industry associations, technology providers, institutes of higher learning and partner agencies, and lead consultations to understand sector needs and co-create implementable solutions.; Identify and develop strategic partnerships that strengthen sector capabilities, innovation, professional development and knowledge exchange; represent the agency at relevant engagements and communicate policies and requirements clearly.

What we are looking for:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, with experience in digital transformation, programme or policy development, grant management, partnership or business development, sector development, project management, technology adoption or a related field.
• Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes from planning through implementation and evaluation, with strong project management, governance, risk and budget capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, including the ability to synthesise complex issues, prepare concise submissions, brief senior management and influence diverse partners.
• Strong people-leadership skills, with experience setting direction, allocating work, coaching staff and developing team capabilities; able to manage competing priorities and navigate ambiguity.
• Familiarity with the early childhood sector and/or Singapore Public Service environment would be an advantage.

About Ministry Of Social And Family Development

Join Us at MSF for a Meaningful, People-Centric Career!At MSF, our mission is to nurture and build resilient individuals, strong families, and a caring society. We offer meaningful and impactful people-centric careers in the design and delivery of policies, services and programmes. We are an all-inclusive and family friendly workplace where career growth is prioritised through a comprehensive suite of development opportunities to help our officers succeed today as well as be future-ready. We do this through various formal and informal learning and development programmes for officers to build different competencies and gain diverse work experiences within MSF, the Public as well as the Social Service Sectors.