Public Health Officer / Senior Public Health Officer

CDA Communicable Diseases Agency; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated professional to support the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office in Singapore. This dynamic role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to develop evidence-informed strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. You will be responsible for identifying research needs, tracking funding program performance, and facilitating the work of national AMR committees. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in health sciences, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams. Join this impactful initiative and contribute to preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in infectious diseases research with statistical analysis experience.
• Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Map and monitor the local AMR research landscape for gaps.
• Engage with local and international scientific communities.

Skills

Statistical Analysis

Research Administration

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Thinking

Communication Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Health or Biosciences

Advanced Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology

PhD in a Related Field

Tools

Python

R

Job description

What the role is

The Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office (AMRCO) was established by MOH in 2018 to oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP) on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The NSAP aims to combat AMR in Singapore through collective One Health efforts across the human, animal, food, and environment sectors. This is achieved through coordinating actions with all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the five core strategies of the NSAP: (1) Education, (2) Surveillance and Risk Assessment, (3) Research, (4) Prevention & Control of infection, and (5) Optimisation of antimicrobial use.

Under the Research portfolio, the candidate supports the Head and Manager of AMRCO in implementing Research strategies and initiatives under the National Strategic Action Plan on AMR. Our stakeholders include those within NCID, across relevant ministries, government agencies and institutions in Singapore, in private and public sectors, as well as with regional and international partners.

In this role, the candidate will be involved in building and regularly updating the national AMR research agenda, working with partners and stakeholders across different organisations to identify and develop evidence-informed strategies that can be implemented in Singapore’s context to mitigate AMR through regular engagements, and communicating with the research community. You will be working alongside a team with varied skills and backgrounds, but with common goals to (i) reduce the emergence of AMR, (ii) prevent the spread of drug resistant pathogens, and (iii) preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials. You will also be part of a multi-sectoral national AMR Secretariat that serves to drive action across sectors.

You will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

What you will be working on

1. Regularly map and monitor the local AMR research landscape to identify gaps and priority needs in Singapore’s context.
2. Review published literature, both local and global, to formulate evidence-informed strategies that can be implemented in Singapore’s context to reduce AMR.
3. In partnership with our partners and stakeholders, identify priority research needs that support the development of local policies and practices to mitigate AMR.
4. Track the performance of funding programmes and provide timely reports to the relevant governing bodies.
5. Engage and partner local and international scientific community to advance the national agenda for AMR research.
6. Facilitate and support the work of the national AMR committees, including providing administrative support for meetings, taking minutes, and preparing meeting-related materials.
7. Collect, collate and report on surveillance data and other indicators; monitor progress on work plan implementation.
8. Perform general administrative procedures, including but not limited to procurement, records-keeping, stock-taking and other operations needed for smooth functioning of the office.
9. Perform ad-hoc duties as requested by Reporting Office or Head of Division.

What we are looking for

• A bachelor’s degree in health-, bioscience-, biomedical-, or biotechnology-related field, and an advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or biostatistics, or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognised university.
• A PhD in a related field is highly desirable.
• At least five years’ combined experience working in infectious diseases research, performing statistical analysis, systematic literature reviews and qualitative data analysis will be essential.
• Experience in performing research administration, policy work, organising workshops, or any other experience related to the functions of the post, will be desirable. Proficiency in performing statistical analyses and interpreting data output, programming languages such as Python or R, or similar, will be desirable. Technical understanding or experience of AMR and the One Health principles will be highly desirable. (Note: Candidates will be required to demonstrate proficiency.)
• Ability to lead cross-functional or multi-sectoral teams.
• Excellent business writing and verbal communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

Key Competencies Required

• Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Judgements – Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to support the crafting of sound policy recommendations; ability to grasp timelines, operating context and ground realities.
• Learning & Putting Skills into Action - Possesses the drive and curiosity to learn and apply new skills, knowledge and new ways of working.
• Improving & Innovating – Ability to seek continual improvements, and to innovate and experiment while managing the risks involved.
• Working Effectively with Stakeholders – Ability to mobilise and rally partners and stakeholders towards a collective purpose.