logo
National Council of Social Service

Research Specialist, Sector Research & Evaluation

National Council of Social Service

Fixed Terms

Closing on 04 Sep 2025

What the role is

We are a close-knit, high-performing, and multi-disciplinary research division in the Singapore Public Service. Our work includes longitudinal/panel and birth cohort studies, environmental scanning and sense making, evaluation at the sector, fund, and programme level, and economic evaluation. We operate in various areas ranging from family and child welfare, offending and rehabilitation, population studies, social service provision, quality of life, and future and current state analysis.
We are recruiting an evaluation team with positions for Research Specialist / Senior Research Specialist (Evaluation) to work on evaluation- and implementation science-related initiatives in Singapore’s social service sector.

What you will be working on

Key Responsibilities and Activities

 

Evaluation Framework and Policy

 

-        Contribute to the further development NCSS’ evaluation framework. Coordinate and align the framework with other evaluation frameworks in the sector.

-        Conduct reviews of evidence on programmes (e.g., mental health, caregiver support) in the social service sector.

-        Engage and onboard social purpose entities onto NCSS’ evaluation framework.

-        Contribute to the development and implementation of sector-, fund-, and programme-level evaluation and implementation science projects based on evidence and analysis.

-        Conduct detailed data analysis to evaluate programme effectiveness, improve operational processes, and make recommendations on funding allocation.

-        Support in the development of logic models and theories of change for NCSS initiatives.

 

- support social purpose entities in the evaluation cycle, including data collection planning, data cleaning, programme management and outcome reporting using pre-defined templates.

 

KPIs (Not Exhaustive):

 

-        Smooth onboarding of social purpose entities on evaluation and NCSS’ framework

-        Evaluation reports for programmes onboarded to NCSS’ framework

-        Strategic plan for evaluation in the sector that includes, but not limited to:

  • Standards for evidence in the sector
  • Roadmap for consultancy to social purpose entities
  • Roadmap for capability building among social purpose entities

What we are looking for

Personal Competencies:

-        Team player

-        Good communicator

-        Open-minded, flexible and creative

-        Proactive, self-driven

- Analytical and critical

 

Skills & Knowledge:

  • Expertise in programme evaluation.
  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
  • Proficient in the use of one or more analytic software (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata).
  • Demonstrable experience in tailoring written communication to a diverse range of stakeholders in English.
  • Strong project management and organisational skills. These include:
  • - Work planning and time management,
  • - Multi-tasking and working under time pressure from multiple stakeholders,
  • - Communication skills,
  • - Working both independently and as a member of a team.

 

Experience:

Experience in the social service sector and/or policy work is a plus.

 

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

About National Council of Social Service

NCSS is the umbrella body for over 500 member social service agencies in Singapore. Its mission is to provide leadership and direction in enhancing the capabilities and capacity of our members, advocating for social service needs, and strengthening strategic partnerships, for an effective social service ecosystem. Community Chest and Social Service Institute (SSI) are part of NCSS. For more information visit www.ncss.gov.sg

About your application process

This job is closing on 04 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 National Council of Social Service or the wider Public Service.