Director (One Health Office)

Public Service Division; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Singapore is seeking a Director for the One Health Office Division. This role involves driving the national One Health Master Plan and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to tackle health challenges at the interface of human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Ideal candidates should possess postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience in public health. Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills are essential. The position requires flexibility to work after hours as necessary.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience managing public health or One Health related programmes.
• 3+ years in senior leadership roles, preferably in public health.
• Strong knowledge of inter-agency programmes and One Health international organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee strategic direction for national One Health policies.
• Drive collaboration among government agencies for One Health initiatives.
• Assess and manage food safety risks and environmental health.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical capabilities

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant postgraduate qualifications (MSc, PhD)

Job description

What the role is

The Director of the One Health Office Division (OHD) will drive the implementation of the national One Health Master Plan and action plans. It aims to drive collaboration in Singapore to mitigate the impact of current and future communicable disease and health challenges at the human‑animal‑plant‑environment interface. This will be achieved through partnerships with related government agencies and ministries in Singapore, as well as pursue networking opportunities with regional and international stakeholders on One Health matters. The One Health office will support and provide national coordination of One Health activities. The office will develop or tap on platforms to drive initiatives for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, whilst addressing endemic diseases, emerging zoonotic diseases, vector‑borne diseases, food safety and environmental health. It will be in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

The candidate is expected to drive action workstreams, together with stakeholders, related to: (1) enhancing One Health capacities to strengthen health systems, (2) reducing risks from emerging and re‑emerging zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, (3) controlling and eliminating endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical and vector‑borne diseases, (4) strengthening the assessment, management and communication of food safety risks, and (5) integrating the environment into One Health. Together with AMRCO, to report on the action track (6) curbing the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance.

What you will be working on

The candidate will lead a team to:

• Develop, lead and oversee strategic direction setting for national One Health policies and programmes, with a focus on public health issues,
• Undertake inter‑agency One Health collaboration and governance, and lead collaborations with multidisciplinary teams of professionals,
• Work with government agencies and ministries to drive One Health work plans and strategies, and implement them based on analyses of monitoring and evaluation indicators,
• Map and develop One Health workforce capabilities across Government and supporting One Health approaches being incorporated across CDA and Government,
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with One Health stakeholders in Singapore, and networks in the region and globally to pursue collaboration,
• Provide expert and strategic guidance on One Health‑related activities e.g. through desk review studies and assessments on One Health topics,
• Serve as formal representative and coordinator for One Health, and as regional and international focal point in international networks on One Health, where appropriate,
• Guide budget allocation, expenditure and work planning for the division, as well as select One Health programmes and initiatives,
• Perform other related duties as required.

What we are looking for

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications (MSc, PhD) or specialist certifications in public health or One Health related disciplines e.g. including but not limited to medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental health, public health, epidemiology, risk assessment, etc.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in managing public health or One Health related programmes and initiatives,
• Preferably minimum 3 years senior leadership experience e.g., at a director‑level in a public health, One Health, or related fields and in a similar role in the public sector,
• Possess leadership, managerial and organizational skills to lead a team of public health and One Health professionals effectively,
• Possess sufficient public or One Health expertise and knowledge to interact effectively with local and international experts and assess scientific evidence,
• Possess strong analytical capabilities and capacity to think about issues comprehensively and systematically, to identify strategic opportunities and risk implications,
• Possess strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills to drive effective collaborations with stakeholders within and outside of the agency,
• Responsive and adaptive to a dynamic working environment,
• Relevant professional experience in formulation, implementation and managing inter‑agency programmes would be advantageous,
• Familiarity with relevant One Health international organizations e.g., FAO, WHO, WOAH, UNEP, regional entities e.g., ASEAN, and national governments
• Prepared to work after office hours (inclusive of weekends and public holidays) based on exigencies of service.