Counsellor

MINDEF; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MINDEF in Singapore seeks an experienced counsellor to join the Singapore Armed Forces in a role that goes beyond traditional counselling, focusing on mental well-being, crisis support, and broader impact on servicemen and the wider ecosystem.

You will provide direct clinical care with evidence‑based therapy and risk assessments, anchor the 24/7 SAF Counselling Hotline, advise Commanders on best mental health practices, and design resilience programmes across SAF units.

Qualifications

• Education in Counselling, Counselling Psychology, or Social Work.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in counselling practice.
• Registered practitioner with the Singapore Association for Counselling, Singapore Association of Social Workers, Association of Professionals Specialising in Addiction Counselling, or Singapore Psychological Society.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical care through evidence‑based therapy, crisis intervention, and comprehensive risk assessment for servicemen adjusting to military life.
• Anchor the 24/7 SAF Counselling Hotline as part of a professional team to deliver immediate counselling support to service personnel in crisis situations.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Commanders and SAF Paracounsellors, offering expert guidance on mental health practices and shaping a supportive, psychologically safe unit culture
• Design and deliver comprehensive mental well‑being programmes to promote psychological resilience and drive preventive mental health efforts across SAF units.
• Engage meaningfully with the changing youth landscape and increasing demands of the new generation.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Systems thinking

Education

Counselling

Counselling Psychology

Social Work

Job description

What the role is:

You will join the Singapore Armed Forces in a meaningful role that goes beyond traditional counselling. This position is ideal for driven professionals who want to strengthen mental well‑being, work in a dynamic environment, and make a lasting impact on national servicemen and the wider ecosystem.

What you will be working on:

• Provide direct clinical care through evidence‑based therapy, crisis intervention, and comprehensive risk assessment for servicemen adjusting to military life
• Anchor the 24/7 SAF Counselling Hotline as part of a professional team to deliver immediate counselling support to service personnel in crisis situations
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Commanders and SAF Paracounsellors, offering expert guidance on mental health practices and shaping a supportive, psychologically safe unit culture
• Design and deliver comprehensive mental well‑being programmes to promote psychological resilience and drive preventive mental health efforts across SAF units
• Challenge(s): Engaging meaningfully with the changing youth landscape and increasing demands of the new generation

What we are looking for:

• Education in Counselling, Counselling Psychology, or Social Work
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in counselling practice
• Registered practitioner with the Singapore Association for Counselling, Singapore Association of Social Workers, Association of Professionals Specialising in Addiction Counselling, or Singapore Psychological Society
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good systems‑thinking mindset

Appointment will be commensurate with your experience.Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About MINDEF

The mission of MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces is to enhance Singapore's peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor. The Defence Executive Officer (DXO) scheme is the non‑uniformed career scheme of MINDEF that offers myriad opportunities in various job functions, such as corporate communications, cyber security, data analytics and visualisation, defence policy, finance, HR, psychology, and more. Embodying the same level of commitment towards defence, DXOs work together with their military counterparts to contribute to MINDEF/SAF’s mission and ensure Singapore's security and stability. United by this common cause, our lines of defence complement each other to secure the prosperity and progress of our nation.