Assistant Director, Higher Education Policy

[What the role is]

To provide strategic oversight and policy leadership for Singapore's Islamic higher education sector, ensuring effective governance and coordination across institutions while driving campus planning and development initiatives. The role involves leading the Higher Education and Policy (HEP) unit, supervising managers, and coordinating high-level ministerial meetings and governance bodies to advance the strategic communications and development of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS).

[What you will be working on]

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Lead the HEP unit and supervise 2 managers to ensure coordinated policy implementation
• Coordinate/staff ministerial meetings and governance bodies, providing strategic oversight for college-related initiatives
• Develop and manage comprehensive strategic frameworks and long-term planning solutions to guide the direction for SCIS
• Develop performance frameworks monitoring SCIS institutional effectiveness and sector development

Inter-Agency Relations and Communications

• Manage inter-agency relationships and government relations, representing the unit at sector-level events
• Oversee strategic communications and lead communications strategy relating to Islamic higher education landscape
• Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives related to the College
• Campus Planning and Development
• Lead campus planning and development strategy, particularly managing the important partnership with SUSS for campus development and shared facilities
• Oversee strategic infrastructure coordination and development initiatives
• Develop and implement comprehensive campus planning frameworks that align with sector needs
• Higher Education Strategic Planning & Performance Management
• Develop and manage comprehensive strategic frameworks and long-term planning solutions to guide the direction for SCIS and the Islamic IHL sector and may include the analysis of socio-political and economic trends to support senior management decision-making and Muis/SCIS objectives
• Develop performance frameworks monitoring SCIS institutional effectiveness and sector development. Track strategic indicators supporting ministerial oversight and decision-making
• Connect SCIS policies with broader government education initiatives and ministerial priorities. Identify inter-dependencies between Islamic education sector and national educational frameworks

Financial Oversight and Grant Management

• Oversee financial governance and execute strategic budget planning for SCIS development and operations 
• Analyze long-term funding requirements ensuring fiscal sustainability for institutional growth
• Develop and propose a new grant scheme for the SCIS and set the required deliverables
• Educational Technology and Systems Oversight
• Oversee the strategic planning and implementation of educational technology infrastructure across colleges under the unit’s purview
• Ensure alignment of institutional technology systems with higher education policy objectives and regulatory requirements
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of educational technology deployment and digital transformation initiatives across institutions
• Coordinate technology standards and compliance requirements between colleges and relevant government agencies
• [What we are looking for]
• Tertiary education in Public Policy, Higher Education Administration, Strategic Management, or related field. Advanced qualifications in policy development or higher education management (preferred)
• At least 8-10 years in higher education administration, policy development, or government relations
• Proven track record in leadership roles with strategic oversight responsibilities
• Experience in managing complex inter-agency relationships and ministerial-level coordination
• Demonstrated experience in campus planning or infrastructure development
• Strong strategic planning and policy leadership capabilities
• Excellent stakeholder management and inter-agency coordination abilities
• Superior communication and presentation skills for high-level government and institutional engagement
• Deep understanding of higher education governance frameworks
• Project management expertise in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Visionary leadership with ability to drive long-term strategic initiatives
• Strong analytical and decision-making capabilities
• Experience in Islamic education or cultural sensitivity to Islamic institutional contexts
• Excellent negotiation and diplomatic skills for managing diverse stakeholder interests

Successful candidate will be appointed on contract basis.

In general, applicants can expect to hear from us within 4 weeks of the close of the application window. In the event where we receive a high number of applications, applicants will receive an update on their status within 6 weeks of the close of the application window. If you are facing issues submitting your application, please contact us at careers@muis.gov.sg for assistance.