Oversee a team of more than 20 officers to carry out the following functions:
For Built Heritage & Archaeology:
Built Heritage
Oversee the planning, assessment, identification and gazetting of sites, buildings and structures as National Monuments.
Support URA on the implementation of the Heritage Impact Assessment framework in Singapore, as well as in the assessment of potential conservation properties ahead of development.
Work with government agencies (including URA, LTA, HDB, SLA etc) on land use and development planning aspects involving building, sites and spaces of heritage value. As part of the planning process, the team assesses and advises developing agencies on the impact of development works on heritage sites, buildings and structures, providing guidance on mitigation and heritage commemoration measures where appropriate.
Plan and develop strategies to enhance the appreciation of built heritage, and promote adaptive reuse of national monuments and other historic buildings.
Explore efforts to build capabilities in the non-government sector (e.g. NGOs, industry, etc).
Engage stakeholders including citizens and non-government organisations (NGOs) on issues pertaining to built heritage and explore ways of partnering and co-creating with citizens.
Archaeology
Oversee the policy and regulatory aspects concerning archaeological materials, archaeology sites and archaeological works (e.g. amending legislation to strengthen protections, investigations and excavations, including the authorisation of archaeology works).
Identify and research on potential sites of archaeological interest on Singapore’s land and territorial waters, with the aim of developing a heritage layer of archaeology sites to guide future government development works. The research work will involve research collaborations and partnerships with archaeologists based in the Institutes of Higher Learning and NHB’s subsidiary company, HeritageSG.
Explore efforts to build archaeology related capabilities in Singapore.
Work with government agencies (including URA, LTA, HDB, etc) on the land use and development planning aspects impacting potential sites of archaeological interest, including the planning and implementation of mitigation measures.
Work with relevant collecting institutions and Heritage Conservation Centre to develop and implement an Archaeology Collections Management Framework for the long term care, storage and access of archaeological material under NHB’s custodianship.
Pilot education and outreach efforts to promote appreciation of Archaeology among wider public.
For Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH):
Develop initiatives to promote and safeguard Singapore’s intangible cultural heritage, and work in partnership with NHB institutions and divisions, government agencies and non-government organisations.
Engage and consult cultural practitioners and stakeholders on issues relating to intangible cultural heritage.
Coordinate and manage research and documentation projects on intangible cultural heritage, including conducting in-house research and managing outsourced research projects.
Develop and maintain the inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Oversee the Stewards of ICH and Outstanding Youths in ICH Award schemes.
Oversee the future nominations to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage lists. The work involves public consultations, preparation of nomination documents, engagement with international experts, etc.
Coordinate Singapore’s periodic reporting to the UNESCO secretariat (obligation as a member state of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH)
Promote and support Heritage Businesses:
- Develop and implement policies and schemes that provide
business support measures to local heritage businesses to
promote sustainability and continued transmission. Examples
include the SG Heritage Business Scheme, Organisation
Transformation Grant, Craft X Design programme.
- Work with whole of government agencies (e.g. URA, ESG) to
address business challenges facing heritage businesses,
particularly those in the historic districts.
- Partner and grow non-government intermediaries to support
heritage businesses in their transformation journeys.
For Placemaking:
Oversee a 2-year project office (2026-2027) set up to develop placemaking capabilities among community and business stakeholders in the 3 historic districts (Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Gelam).
Alongside the ICH team, work with relevant partners including, public agencies, business associations and heritage institutions in each precinct to develop place plans and pilot placemaking initiatives to enhance the vibrancy and cultural character of each precinct.
For Research & Engagement:
Research
Oversee the Heritage Research Grants (HRG) scheme that supports heritage-related research by institutes of higher learning and non-government organisations based in Singapore.
Identify potential research gaps and commission research studies to address such areas.
Coordinate NHB’s research strategy across NHB divisions and institutions, including coordinating research projects done in partnership with other government agencies.
Explore efforts to disseminate and communicate research efforts to the public, including managing digital research publication Digital Muse, organising symposiums, workshops, conferences, etc.
Engagement
Oversee outreach and promotional plans relating to the division’s functions, including school outreach.
Support NHB-wide stakeholder engagement planning efforts
