Asst Director (Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Office - Research)

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

Job responsibilities specific to the portfolio

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.

General duties of AMRCO staff when required:

• Facilitate and support the work of the national AMR committees, including providing administrative support for meetings, taking minutes, and preparing meeting-related materials.
• Collect, collate and report on surveillance data and other indicators; monitor progress on work plan implementation.
• Perform general administrative procedures, including but not limited to procurement, records-keeping, stock-taking and other operations needed for smooth functioning of the office.
• Perform ad-hoc duties as requested by Reporting Office or Head of Division

What are we looking for?

Job Requirements

• Required skills and experience, if any
• Attributes and aptitude

Qualifications

Essential: 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.

Desirable: A PhD in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience

Essential: At least five years’ combined experience working in infectious diseases research, performing statistical analysis, systematic literature reviews and qualitative data analysis will be essential.

Desirable: 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.)

Attitudes and Attributes

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.

Other requirements

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.