Unit Head, Research Support and Grants Management

About the role

The National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore's national teacher education institute, is recruiting a Unit Head for its Research Support and Grants Management (RSGM) unit within the Office for Research. The unit manages pre- and post-award administration of internal and external research grants so that NIE faculty can secure and administer research funding in line with funder and institutional requirements, and oversees research support functions for faculty staff. As Unit Head, you will lead a team and provide strategic oversight to strengthen institutional research capabilities.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the RSGM unit and work with Deans and Assistant Deans on research support and grants management initiatives.
• Ensure unit activities align with NIE's institutional priorities and research agenda, and bridge research support and grants management functions.
• Advise team members and liaise with academic departments, research centres, administrative units and external parties on grants matters.
• Oversee grants management compliance, audit readiness and adherence to funder and institutional guidelines; oversee the ERFP and non-ERFP grant programmes.
• Prepare reports on grants, research funding and research support for senior management and stakeholders.
• Lead research support initiatives and capacity-building programmes, represent the unit in roadshows and presentations, and coordinate research data management and governance.
• Drive process reviews and improvements, including AI initiatives, and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Supervise and mentor the team, plan workload, support capacity building and professional development.

Required profile

• A university degree.
• Minimum 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in research administration, grants management, research support, policy coordination or a similar administrative leadership role.
• Knowledge of audit, risk and compliance frameworks related to grants and research administration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Integrity and discretion with confidential information.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to use administrative systems relevant to grants or research operations.