Senior Researcher

Role Overview

The Institute of Leadership and Organisation Development (ILOD), a key division within the Civil Service College, specializes in leadership and organisational development research. As a Senior Researcher, you will independently oversee and execute research projects, ensuring the alignment of resources and schedules to achieve objectives. Engagement with both internal and external collaborators is crucial throughout the research lifecycle. You will also develop outreach initiatives targeting public service audiences, converting research insights into clear and practical recommendations that support both practice and policy enhancements. Your contributions will reinforce ILOD's and CSC's prominence in talent assessment, leadership cultivation, and organisational effectiveness.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with partners, clients, and stakeholders across sectors, including business users and research sponsors, to define project scopes and execute relevant research activities.
• Formulate research projects characterized by precise questions that address the evolving priorities of the Public Service, employing rigorous and practical data collection techniques.
• Conduct analysis of quantitative and qualitative datasets utilizing classical and contemporary statistical methodologies, interpreting results within the context of Singapore's Public Service.
• Present research outcomes and actionable insights via various channels such as detailed reports and interactive sharing sessions, adapting communications to suit audiences ranging from technical experts to non-technical public officials and leadership.
• Convert research findings into educational materials that enhance the development of public officers’ capabilities.

Candidate Profile and Experience

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of three to five years’ practical experience conducting applied research in talent assessment, leadership development, or organisational development. Experience in learning design or involvement in initiatives related to leadership, organisational change, employee engagement, or organisational development is highly beneficial.

Research Competencies:

• Capable of framing research that addresses pertinent problems and knowledge gaps, designing sound methodologies for data collection, analysis, and hypothesis evaluation.
• Proficient in applying qualitative and quantitative techniques to discern patterns, evaluate assumptions, and form practical recommendations.
• Adept at communicating findings effectively in various written and oral formats tailored to diverse audience technical levels.
• Skilled at transforming research insights into accessible digital and tangible content relevant to a wide range of stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

• Motivated to enhance existing processes and pursue innovative strategies that yield significantly improved results.
• Adopts a curious mindset, proactively ideating and experimenting while managing risks appropriately.
• Consistently produces timely and impactful deliverables.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Broader Impact:

• Links research goals and findings with stakeholder needs, CSC’s strategic aims, and the larger whole-of-government agenda.
• Maintains a holistic perspective beyond departmental boundaries, fostering collaboration across teams, institutes, and agencies to maximize value for the Public Service.

Additional Attributes:

• Self-motivated and resourceful individual able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong analytical capabilities paired with effective communication and facilitation skills.
• Deep understanding of research methodologies, including proficiency in classical and modern statistical analyses, data analytics, and visualization using tools such as R, SPSS, and Tableau.