Deputy Director (Preparedness Strategy and Plans)

Communicable Diseases Agency

Fixed Terms

Closing on 11 Sep 2025

What the role is

As the Deputy Director of Preparedness Strategy and Plans in the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), you will lead a dedicated team in developing comprehensive policies and plans to anticipate, prevent, and respond to communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics. Your responsibilities will encompass forward planning, overseeing multi-sectoral pandemic responses, and conducting post-event reviews to strengthen the nation's preparedness posture. Your pivotal role will involve uniting the efforts of various government agencies to enhance overall preparedness through a cohesive and comprehensive approach to large outbreaks, at the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society level. This includes fostering collaboration with key sectoral partners to ensure effective response strategies, facilitate operational plan development and mitigate preparedness and response gaps. Your adept leadership and relational skills will be essential in fostering communication channels between agencies, coordinating joint training exercises, and aligning strategies for a unified response.

You will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

What you will be working on

Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategies for disease preparedness, including pandemic and response planning

Policy Development: Synthesize information from a wide range of sources in a complex environment to provide rigorous analysis to guide decision-making and plans for response as needed

Coordination and Collaboration: Work with ministries and agencies across multiple sectors to ensure a coordinated and effective response to infectious disease threats when needed. This includes through engagement efforts and operationalization of pandemic preparedness strategies.

Innovation: Stay informed about emerging infectious diseases, novel pathogens, and advancements in disease detection and control, integrating research findings and innovative approaches into preparedness efforts.

What we are looking for

Minimally recognised education in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in emergency management or disaster response preferred.

Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in public health, infectious disease control, or emergency preparedness, with progressively increasing leadership responsibilities. Experience in pandemic planning and response highly desirable.

Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams, build partnerships, and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders.

Ability to develop long-term objectives and plans and translate them into actionable goals and objectives.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze situations and data, assess risks, and develop evidence-based recommendations. Demonstrate strong ability to breakdown complex issues, identify patterns and develop innovative solutions to address the challenges.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public.

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment

About Communicable Diseases Agency

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) was established in 2025 as a statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve as the central authority for public health policymaking to manage and control the threat of communicable diseases. This is aimed at strengthening Singapore's public health capabilities built during the COVID-19 response to ensure a unified command and coordinated approach across all situations, from routine disease control to future outbreaks. CDA safeguards the nation from communicable diseases through disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, vaccination programs, public education, and global health collaboration. Beyond domestic activities, the CDA aims to expand Singapore’s global outreach and foster collaboration with international partners.

About your application process

This job is closing on 11 Sep 2025.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the job ad closing date, we seek your understanding that it is likely that we are not moving forward with your application for this role. We thank you for your interest and would like to assure you that this does not affect your other job applications with the Public Service. We encourage you to explore and apply for other roles within Communicable Diseases Agency or the wider Public Service.