Deputy Director (Media Sense & Response)

MINDEF; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

MINDEF is seeking a senior leader to head a team within the Communications Organisation's Operations Hub, providing strategic oversight of defence and security-related news, social and online media discussions, and brewing issues in the information space with potential impact on MINDEF and the SAF.

You will track ongoing and evergreen issues, maintain an information situational picture for decision-making, alert principals to developments, and direct media replies and internal communications to

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in journalism, media, PR or corporate communications.
• At least 6 years in supervisory/leadership roles.
• Strong command of both spoken and written English.
• Proficiency in a vernacular language such as Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Indonesia, or Tamil is advantageous.
• Interest in current affairs, military and defence matters.
• Ability to work with policy and staff departments.
• Ability to work odd hours, weekends and duty shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to track day-to-day, current and evergreen issues.
• Maintain a comprehensive information situational picture to support decision-making.
• Alert key MINDEF/SAF principals to significant developments and activate quick response capabilities.
• Direct the issuance of media replies and collaterals to prevent or contain information threats or undesired narratives.
• Direct the issuance of ad-hoc internal communications materials and advisories to keep the internal organisation informed of brewing issues.
• Funnel information into a coherent information situational picture for timely and effective decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communications

English proficiency

Education

Mass Communications

Social Sciences

Science & Technology (ICT / Digital Media)

Job description

What the role is:

You lead a team within the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Communications Organisation's Operations Hub, maintaining strategic oversight over defence and security-related news, social and online media discussions, and brewing issues in the information space with potential impact on MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

What you will be working on:

• Track day-to-day, current and evergreen issues of interest to the organisation
• Maintain a comprehensive information situational picture to support decision-making by key MINDEF/SAF principals
• Alert key MINDEF/SAF principals to significant developments in the information space and activate quick response capabilities to manage issues as they arise
• Direct the issuance of media replies and collaterals to prevent or contain the spread of information threats or undesired narratives
• Direct the issuance of ad-hoc internal communications materials and advisories to keep the internal organisation informed of brewing issues
• Assess the potential impact of developments in the information space on the organisation and determine appropriate actions and responsesChallenge(s)-
• Managing the massive influx of information, identifying varying impacts on MINDEF/SAF, and fusing together a coherent information situational picture to support timely and effective decision-making

What we are looking for:

• Education in Mass Communications, Social Sciences (majoring in English, International Relations, or Political Science), or Science and Technology (Information and Communications Technology, Digital Media, or Information Science) is preferred
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in journalism, media, public relations, corporate communications, and/or corporate planning, of which at least 6 years should be in supervisory and leadership positions
• Strong command of both spoken and written English
• Proficiency in a vernacular language such as Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Indonesia, or Tamil is advantageous
• Keen interest in current affairs, military and defence-related matters
• Ability to work comfortably with policy and staff departments
• Ability to work odd hours, weekends and perform duty shift workOnly 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.