Data Policy, Manager/Snr Manager/Assistant Director, Data Governance, GDD, SNDG

Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI); Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) seeks a change-maker to shape policy and drive data governance across the public sector. You will collaborate with Government agencies to develop data policies, enable data sharing, and ensure responsible data use for policy analysis and service delivery.

The role involves ecosystem design, stakeholder engagement, and cross-agency coordination, with emphasis on governance, security, and practical implementation across the whole-of-Government

Qualifications

• Background in Public Policy, Information/Computer Science, Data Analytics/Statistics, Law, Business, Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement whole-of-Government data policies including governance and data sharing.
• Engage with agencies to understand use cases and governance context and drive implementation.
• Design and develop the next bound of the Government data ecosystem and policy objectives.
• Coordinate with Policy-Tech teams to align ecosystem architecture with policy aims.
• Provide guidance to team members and partner agencies to drive data-driven policy analysis and service delivery.

Skills

Policy Development

Data Governance

Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Analysis

Job description

The Smart Nation Group – Digital Government (SNDG), under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), is at the forefront of the Singapore Government’s digital transformation. We shape and implement strategies and policies to achieve our vision of a Digital Government that is Digital to the core, and serves with heart. This includes building long-term digital capabilities for the public sector, driving innovation across Government agencies, and ensuring digital services are user-centric, secure and resilient.

The Government Data Division (GDD) within SNDG plays a central policymaking role in advancing data governance excellence across the public sector. Its responsibilities include:

(a) formulating and implementing whole-of-government (WOG) data policies that guide the strategic management, sharing, and utilisation of data as a national asset;

(b) identifying and driving new initiatives to improve the exchange of data within Government agencies, and sharing of Government data with commercial partners and the public; and

(c) strengthening data governance by developing policies relating to responsible use of data, as well as driving the development of capabilities, institutionalizing structures and standardising tools for WOG.

We want a change maker who has experience in policymaking, and is collaborative in stakeholder management. Experience in data management, governance or related domains will also be helpful.

You must be ready to roll up your sleeves and rally different teams across Government agencies to achieve SNG’s vision of a public sector that is ‘data driven to the core’. This includes enabling Government agencies to use data to create solutions that benefit citizens and businesses, while ensuring the responsible use of data.

You will be part of a team at the forefront of transforming Government data and driving the next bound of the whole-of-Government data ecosystem, through policy formulation and development of key systems and structures. Your work will involve one or more of the following areas:

1. Policy Development and Implementation. Formulate and implement key data policies across whole-of-Government, that cover data governance, data sharing policies, data classification frameworks, treatment and protection of personal data, as well as the accompanying legislative frameworks.
2. Stakeholder Engagement. Work closely with agencies to understand their use cases and governance context, and drive implementation. Provide advice on policies and measures, including arbitrating between competing needs where necessary.
3. Ecosystem Development. Design and implement the next bound of the Government data ecosystem, to supercharge data sharing and usage across whole-of-Government to enable agencies’ use cases in policy, operations and service delivery, while ensuring good data governance. This entails the following work:

• Conceptualising a whole value chain perspective of the data ecosystem, including how the pieces should come together to best facilitate the sharing and usage of data underpinned by proper governance frameworks.
• Developing the system-level roles and responsibilities that agencies need to play, as part of the broader data value chain perspective.
• Capability building for effective implementation (e.g. establish centres of excellence to drive though leadership, establish funding principles and resource allocation).
• Integrating the Policy-Tech “handshake” with Government Technology Agency colleagues to ensure the ecosystem architecture and data products support policy objectives.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape policy and drive change implementation across the public sector, with significant impact on how Government agencies access and use data effectively and responsibly for policy analysis, service delivery and operations.

We are looking for dynamic and self-motivated individuals who value integrity, teamwork and excellence. You will need to be able to contribute both at the individual level and provide guidance to your team members / agency partners. If you share our passion in shaping Singapore into a Smart Nation, we welcome you to join us!

Candidates should have:

• Background in related domains such as Public Policy, Information/Computer Science, Data Analytics/Statistics, Law, Business, Engineering, or any related field

• Relevant experience or interest to develop in one or more of the following:

• Policy and strategy (including ecosystem development)
• Data management / governance
• Regulatory compliance (including data privacy / protection) The ideal candidate possesses the following skills:

• Experience in general policy and/or data ecosystem development
• Experience and/or knowledge of technical concepts would also be useful
• Strong systems perspective and able to see the big picture
• Good perspective skills; able to analyse issues from different agencies’ standpoints
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills that can create consensus to act across a wide spectrum of external and internal stakeholders
• Resourceful and proactive, particularly in proposing alternate solutions to achieve desired outcomes
• Analytical and able to think “out of the box”
• Excellent written communication skills