Unit Head, Human Resource and Finance, Office for Research

About the role

The National Institute of Education (NIE) seeks a Unit Head to lead its Human Resource and Finance team within the Office for Research. This senior position will oversee HR, finance, administrative, and research support processes, ensuring compliance and effective service delivery across the institute.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Office for Research Human Resource and Finance team, supervising staff and managing performance.
• Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with HR and financial policies and institutional guidelines.
• Oversee all HR processes, including faculty appointments, reappointments, appraisals, promotions, and research staff staffing.
• Coordinate alignment of hiring processes for Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP) and non‑ERFP grants.
• Provide HR advisory services and timely reporting on research support matters.
• Liaise with NIE HRD, programme offices, and Research Centres on faculty and research staff issues.
• Manage faculty mentoring processes and related implementation.
• Oversee financial operations related to research funding, including procurement, budgeting, claims processing, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with institutional financial and procurement policies and provide financial consultations to Principal Investigators.
• Prepare budget estimates, cash‑flow projections, and funder reports; support 6th tranche proposal budgeting.
• Act as Delegation of Authority for research and non‑research expenditures where required.
• Maintain operational relationships with NIE Finance and the Ministry of Education.

Required profile

• Demonstrated leadership experience in HR and finance operations within an academic or research environment.
• Strong knowledge of HR policies, faculty appointment procedures, and research staff management.
• Proven ability to manage financial processes, budgeting, and compliance for research funding.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience liaising across institutional departments and external funding bodies.

Required skills