Senior Assistant Director, Intellectual Property Policy Division

Ministry of Law; Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A key governmental agency in Singapore seeks a Policy Development Officer to shape the intellectual property landscape. You will design and refine policies, strengthen the IP services ecosystem, and engage with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work collaboratively. Experience in policy development and issues relating to innovation and emerging technologies will be advantageous. A one-year contract is offered, with possible renewal.

Qualifications

• Strong research skills, an analytical mindset, and a keen eye for detail.
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and presentation abilities.
• A genuine interest in issues relating to innovation, creativity and emerging technologies.
• Prior experience in policy development is an advantage.
• Exposure to international relations or diplomacy is an advantage.
• Familiarity with intellectual property, science and technology, or legislation-related work is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine IP policies and frameworks to support businesses and innovators.
• Strengthen the IP services ecosystem and analyze the impact of initiatives.
• Cultivate an environment for international IP activities to thrive in Singapore.

Skills

Domain Specific Expertise

Systems Thinking

Internal Stakeholder Alignment

Data-driven Policy Analysis

Deep Critical Thinking

Clear and Concise Writing

Design for Implementation and Communication

Co-create and Co-deliver with External Stakeholders

Industry Engagement

Job description

What the role is:

Join Us in Shaping Singapore's Intellectual Property Landscape! The Intellectual Property Policy Division (IPPD) plays a pivotal role in overseeing and developing Singapore's intellectual property (IP) policies and strategies. Our vision is to position Singapore as a global IP hub, where intellectual property drives innovation, attracts foreign investments, creates meaningful opportunities for Singaporeans, and fuels sustainable economic growth. As part of the IPPD team, you will drive impactful projects under the Singapore IP Strategy 2030 to shape Singapore’s IP ecosystem. You will collaborate closely with other government agencies on cross‑agency initiatives, and engage with private sector stakeholders and academia. You will also have opportunities to interact with international counterparts, including IP offices, and global institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organization.

What you will be working on:

• Policy Development: Designing and refining IP policies and frameworks to empower businesses, innovators, and the creative community, in partnership with other government agencies and the industry.
• Ecosystem Building: Strengthening Singapore’s IP services ecosystem and analysing the impact of initiatives, including in areas such as IP prosecution, management, transactions, and dispute resolution.
• Global Positioning: Cultivating an environment where international IP activities can thrive in Singapore.

What we are looking for:

Key Competencies Required

• [Domain Specific Expertise]: Develop domain knowledge to collaborate and/or co-create policy solutions with experts/professionals
• [Systems Thinking]: Connect issues with larger system and identify inter‑dependencies across issues/ domains/ agencies
• [Internal Stakeholder Alignment]: Drive alignment on policy positions and approaches among key internal stakeholders
• [Data‑driven Policy Analysis]: Utilise data analytics (directly/indirectly) to support policy analysis and simulate the impact of different policy options
• [Deep Critical Thinking]: Distil critical issues and sense‑make from a wide range of information, arriving at effective policy solutions
• [Clear and Concise Writing]: Crystalise core issues via clear and concise writing
• [Design for Implementation and Communication]: Develop policy that factors in strategic communications considerations upfront, and has a grounded perspective of implementation considerations
• [Co‑create and Co‑deliver with External Stakeholders]: Mobilise citizens and stakeholder to co‑create and co‑deliver solutions to policy issues
• [Industry Engagement]: Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies to enhance their participation in ways that complement the agency's objectives and add value to the agency's services

Work Experience / Personal Traits

1. Strong research skills, an analytical mindset, and a keen eye for detail.
2. Excellent collaboration, communication, and presentation abilities.
3. A genuine interest in issues relating to innovation, creativity and emerging technologies.

Additional Advantages

1. Prior experience in policy development.
2. Exposure to international relations or diplomacy.
3. Familiarity with intellectual property, science and technology, or legislation‑related work.

Note: The actual seniority of the appointment will be assessed based on the candidate’s profile and years of relevant experience. Successful candidates will be appointed on a 1-year contract in the first instance, subject to renewal.

About Ministry of Law

In Singapore, having the rule of law and advancing people’s access to justice are not just lofty ideals but the backbone of a functioning and a progressive society. At the Ministry of Law, not only do we contribute to developing the legal frameworks and policies that uphold our way of life, but also to providing community legal services that Singaporeans benefit from. The key policies we oversee include Singapore’s legal and intellectual property infrastructure, the civil and criminal justice systems as well as land resources. Our officers are experts from different fields, and enjoy an excellent and challenging career in a fast‑paced environment with plenty of opportunity to grow. If you share our vision of shaping the future of Singapore, you will definitely fit right in here at MinLaw.