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Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

SENIOR EXECUTIVE/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH), EPD

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

Permanent/ContractClosed

What the role is

Environmental sustainability has underpinned Singapore’s policymaking since our independence. As a small city state with limited natural resources, we had to protect our environment. As early as the 1970s, we started putting in place policies to do so by managing pollution and conserving our water resources. Today, Singapore is widely recognised as a green and sustainable city state, and Singaporeans enjoy clean air, water and environment. Environmental sustainability remains a key priority for the government. The Environmental Policy Division evaluates, reviews, and formulates environmental and sustainability policies and strategies. This spans a broad range of areas including Singapore Green Plan 2030, GreenGov.SG movement, Environmental Public Health, Hawker Policies, Environmental Protection, Zero Waste and Circular Economy, and SG Eco Fund. We are looking for a Senior Executive/Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director to be part of the Environmental Public Health team.

What you will be working on

The Environmental Public Health (EPH) team covers distinct and wide-ranging issues, which includes public cleanliness, environmental sanitation, smoking prohibition, dengue prevention, and after-death facilities and services. EPH issues have become even more salient in the past 2 years and have also been identified as a major priority within MSE, given the COVID-19 pandemic. You will therefore need to help push the boundaries on environmental public health, by working with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and other agencies in reviewing and formulating policies / programmes that strengthen environmental public health and hygiene as our first line of defence against disease transmission. As a member of the EPH team, you will play an important role in: • Formulating strategic policies and programmes, and the necessary legislative provisions to safeguard environmental public health • Performing research and analysis on environmental policies, both domestic and international, to evaluate and inform policy and programme design and implementation. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to projects on environmental sustainability within the Environmental Policy Division and the Public Sector Sustainability Office.

What we are looking for

• Strong analytical skills. This means that you are able to take an issue, dissect it to identify the specific problems / gaps and develop considered solutions to those problems / gaps • Strong synthesis skills. This means that you are able to draw links / connections between a range of seemingly disparate issues, and frame those issues coherently in a logical and intuitive way • Strong communication skills, both in writing and speaking. This means that you are able to be succinct yet precise, by raising only the most pertinent points. It also means that you are able to express your points in a logical fashion, where one issue is intuitively related to the next • Ability to work both independently and in teams • Have a passion and openness to learn. This means taking on board feedback appropriately, being willing to recalibrate, and applying yourself rigorously until you get it right The last criterion is the most important. You do not need to have a background in the environmental public health domain, or policy work to perform this role well, although that is helpful. We will help you to grow your skillsets which will be useful in advancing your career interests while contributing meaningfully to the betterment of Singapore.

About Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) is committed to providing Singaporeans with a clean and sustainable environment, and safe and secure supplies of food and water. MSE’s key priorities are to ensure a sustainable, resource-efficient and climate resilient Singapore. Our three strategic directions include economic resilience, resource resilience and climate resilience. We enjoy challenging and diverse careers, which are bound together by the common cause - making Singapore’s living environment among the best in the world. Everyone who works at MSE has a role to play in helping to shape our environment – not just for now, but for generations to come. We are constantly on the lookout for energetic, pro-active and committed individuals to join us. Successful candidates can expect a fulfilling career with competitive remuneration package and comprehensive range of benefits, as well as opportunities for cross-deployment within MSE and our Statutory Boards as part of our holistic career development. To learn more about us, please visit https://www.mse.gov.sg.