Manager (Defence Relations - Navy)

MINDEF; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MINDEF in Singapore seeks an international relations professional to strategise and execute plans engaging partner navies to advance RSN and MINDEF/SAF interests. You will support defence diplomacy through partnerships, events, and port visits, while coordinating with foreign counterparts and Defence Attaché Offices.

The role requires strong communication, organisational skills, and tact; familiarity with Singapore's defence policy and maritime geopolitics is preferred.

Qualifications

• Education in Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of international relations experience is advantageous.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Diplomatic tact, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• A good understanding of Singapore's defence policies and current geopolitical developments, particularly in the maritime domain, is preferred.
• Integrity, adaptability, and a collaborative team spirit (Applicants with no experience may apply).

Responsibilities

• Strategise and execute plans to engage partner navies.
• Support defence diplomacy efforts through partnerships and events.
• Plan and coordinate defence relations activities such as visits, conferences, and exercises.
• Liaise with foreign counterparts and Defence Attaché Offices for visits and administrative requirements.
• Prepare meeting materials including briefing notes and slides; record minutes and follow up on actions.
• Draft reports and approval documents for events and activities.
• Support overseas work trips with end-to-end planning and on-ground support.
• Review engagement plans after activities.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organisational skills

Diplomatic tact

Cultural sensitivity

Relationship building

Education

Political Science/IR degree

Job description

What the role is:

You are responsible for strategising and executing plans to engage partner navies and advance the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) defence interests. You will support MINDEF/SAF's broader defence diplomacy efforts through fostering strategic partnerships, organising defence relations events, and supporting partner navies' port calls and working visits to the RSN and MINDEF/SAF.

What you will be working on:

• Conduct research on partner navies and regional maritime developments to support RSN leadership in making informed decisions on defence engagement
• Plan and coordinate defence relations activities such as visits, conferences, and exercises
• Liaise with foreign counterparts and Defence Attaché Offices to manage programme and administrative requirements for incoming and outgoing visits
• Prepare meeting materials including briefing notes and presentation slides, and serve as note-taker to record minutes and follow up on action items
• Draft reports and approval documents for events and activities
• Support RSN principals on overseas work trips, manage end-to-end trip planning, on-ground support, and post-trip administration
• Review and refine engagement plans following the completion of activities

Challenge(s)

• Managing wide-ranging, time-sensitive and complex issues related to Navies-of-Interest, requiring the ability to apply critical thinking to distil and prioritise issues effectively
• Navigating the complexities of engaging both internal MINDEF/SAF stakeholders and external foreign counterparts to advance RSN's defence interests
• Multitasking effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, often under significant time pressure

What we are looking for:

• Education in Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or a related field
• At least 2 years of experience in international relations is advantageous
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Diplomatic tact, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders
• A good understanding of Singapore's defence policies and current geopolitical developments, particularly in the maritime domain, is preferred
• Integrity, adaptability, and a collaborative team spirit (Applicants with no experience may apply.)
• 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.