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National Research Foundation

Head/ Deputy Head, Finance

National Research Foundation

Permanent/Contract

Closing on 03 Oct 2025

What the role is

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is a department within the Prime Minister's Office, and we set the national direction for research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) by developing policies, plans and strategies; funding strategic initiatives that strengthen our scientific and technological capabilities, grow our RIE talent base, and achieve economic and national impact; and fostering RIE collaboration in Singapore and internationally.

What you will be working on

• Oversee Finance operations to support stakeholders’ needs while maintaining financial accountability, including timely and accurate payments, receipts and fixed assets’ updates; • Lead, motivate and guide the Finance team to resolve issues; • Administer the annual budgeting process and mid-year review, including budget planning, management and reporting; • Analyse financial data and collaborate with stakeholders to generate insightful management reporting; • Ensure timely completion of Financial Year end closing activities, including liaising with auditors and review of audit schedules; • Ensure timely submission of statutory returns, including submitting returns to other agencies and withholding tax submission to IRAS; • Ensure compliance with relevant financial policies and procedures, including obtaining buy-in from stakeholders; • Implement process improvements and SOPs to enhance efficiency and internal controls; • Perform Business Partner duties by advising stakeholders on compliance with procurement policies and procedures; and • Any other duties and ad hoc projects as assigned

What we are looking for

• Background in Accountancy is preferred; • As this role may have 1-3 direct reportees, experience with leading a small team (1-3 staff) is advantageous • Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; • Minimum 5 years of related working experience in similar position is preferred; • Knowledge of Government Instruction Manuals, iBudget, NFS@Gov and experience with data analytics tool is advantageous; • Possess good communication and interpersonal skills; and • Self-driven with strong leadership & organizational skills and a positive working attitude

About National Research Foundation

The National Research Foundation (NRF) was set up on 1 January 2006 as a department under the Prime Minister's Office. It was set up to perform the following: a) To provide secretariat support to the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), chaired by the Senior Minister; b) To coordinate the research of different agencies within the larger national framework in order to provide a coherent strategic overview and direction; c) To develop policies and plans to implement the five strategic thrusts for the national R&D agenda; and d) To implement national research, innovation and enterprise strategies approved by the RIEC, and to allocate funding to programmes that meet NRF's strategic objectives.

About your application process

This job is closing on 03 Oct 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 Research Foundation or the wider Public Service.