Senior Manager (Research Engagement), SIR/RA

Ministry Of Social And Family Development; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-from-home flexibility, 2 days a week

Opportunities for training and development

Job summary

The Ministry Of Social And Family Development is looking for a Senior Manager (Research Engagement) in Singapore. The successful candidate will drive MSF's strategic research engagement initiatives, facilitate collaborations, and organize research events. You will utilize analytical skills to shape policy insights and manage projects effectively. The role allows for a balanced working environment with opportunities for professional development. Candidates should possess strong policy development and project management experience, with an appreciation for diverse research methodologies.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic policy development.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and synthesize findings.

Responsibilities

• Work with researchers to advance evidence-based policy formulation.
• Plan and execute research events with stakeholders.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging trends.
• Apply qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Policy development

Project management

Job description

What the role is:

The Research and Analytics Division drives MSF’s research and analytics efforts, to strengthen the nexus between policy, practice, operations, research and analytics to support MSF outcomes, policies and programmes. It also drives the strategy for engagement with the external social research community beyond conducting deep research and data analytics studies, coordinating the social research agenda and building research expertise to support policymaking and programmes for MSF. As a Senior Manager (Research Engagement), you will drive central efforts to further MSF family’s strategic research engagement and communications, including via the facilitation of research collaborations and organisation of research events, to further the knowledge base of the social sector. You will play a key role in shaping MSF’s strategic direction through undertaking longer term horizon scanning to identify emerging trends and generating think pieces.

What you will be working on:

• Work with academics, researchers, and non-researchers within and outside the Ministry to advance policy thinking and support evidence-based policy formulation through the development of research ideas, collaborations and/or translation of research findings
• Plan and execute MSF research events (e.g., conference, seminar, roundtable), working with both internal and external partners, stakeholders and vendors
• Conduct horizon and futures scanning, leveraging AI as well as external partners (including IHLs, other vendors) to identify emerging trends and issues as well as build up MSF’s understanding of social issues, policies and programmes, feeding into MSF’s strategic planning processes
• Apply basic quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies (e.g., academic literature scanning) to sense‑make, synthesise and translate implications to MSF

What we are looking for:

Requirements:

• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong policy and planning/strategic/futures thinking competency with demonstrated experience in strategic policy development, synthesising diverse research insights into strategic policy recommendations, and connecting findings to broader policy implications and long‑term strategic considerations
• Strong project and event management skills
• Able to conduct literature reviews, and synthesise findings to identify relevance/applications to policy
• Appreciation of the range of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, as well as research in the social sector

Work Culture / Environment:

• Working arrangement that allows for 2 days work-from-home per week
• Opportunities for training and development