(Senior) Assistant Director, Planning, National Robotics Programme

About the role

The National Robotics Programme Office (NRPO) catalyses robotics and embodied AI (EAI) research and development at Singapore's Institutes of Higher Learning and Research Institutes, and fosters public-private partnerships so that publicly funded technologies are commercialised. This role sits in the Planning Unit and involves strategic planning, analysis and secretariat support.

Key responsibilities

• Conceptualise and drive the multi-year national strategy for Robotics and Embodied AI, preparing strategy and funding papers, presentations and staffing notes, and supporting workplan and strategy reviews.
• Analyse research capabilities and the ecosystem, including benchmarking, to support strategy development and course corrections.
• Perform secretariat functions for the Robotics and Embodied AI governing board meetings, engaging stakeholders to shape the agenda.
• Manage selected strategic projects to keep cadence, deliverables and outcomes aligned with NRPO.
• May be appointed by rotation to operational or administrative secondary roles such as data protection and business continuity.

Required profile

• Minimum degree with 5-7 years of experience in RIE strategy, planning and/or policy analysis; well-qualified candidates may be considered for the Senior Assistant Director role.
• Direct experience with NRF's Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plans and funding strategy, or having helped shape the approval of an RIE funding initiative, is necessary; candidates without it will not be considered.
• Proven track record of stakeholder coordination and engagement.
• Able to stay calm under tight deadlines and changing stakeholder positions, and to own tasks proactively.
• Only Singaporeans may apply.

Required skills

• Strong writing skills to deliver clear, concise narratives.
• Ability to turn analysis into actionable plans.
• An engineering or robotics/AI background is a plus but not required.