Assistant Manager - Project Coordinator, Communicable Diseases Research

About the role

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) Research Laboratory (CRL) leads research to support evidence-based policy and operational decisions on infectious diseases of public health significance. Its multidisciplinary teams in bacteriology, virology, immunology and diagnostics work with national and international partners on emerging public health challenges. As Assistant Manager (Project Coordinator), you will support the division's research projects, covering timelines, reporting, stakeholder engagement and research roadmaps; depending on experience, you may also shape project frameworks, advise on resource planning and support high-level engagements.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and monitor timelines, milestones and deliverables for CRL research projects
• Maintain a consolidated project tracker and oversee reporting on progress, risks and key decisions
• Organise project meetings, prepare documentation and follow up action items across scientific sections
• Support ethics, biosafety and regulatory approval submissions and tracking
• Assist in project scoping, define objectives, identify research gaps and align resources
• Coordinate cross-sectional alignment so projects are feasible, well-resourced and scientifically coherent
• Develop briefing materials, analyses and strategic documents for senior management, stakeholders and partners
• Maintain auditable project documentation (reports, meeting records, risk registers, decision logs)
• Assist with laboratory operations and other assigned duties
• Senior Project Coordinator: contribute to strategic assessments of health threats and opportunities, mentor junior officers, improve processes and represent the CRL in internal committees

Required profile

• Degree in Life Sciences, Public Health, Project Management or a related discipline
• Proven experience coordinating complex projects
• Preferred: experience in strategic planning, research administration, public health programmes or science policy development
• Preferred: prior exposure to managing research portfolios, cross-agency programmes or scientific operations

Required skills

• Strong organisational skills
• Excellent communication, writing and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work independently with multidisciplinary teams
• Problem-solving, attention to detail and structured follow-through