Unit Head, Human Resource and Finance, Office for Research [NIE]

This contract position (until March 31, 2028) is for a Unit Head, Human Resource and Finance within NIE's Office for Research. The role involves leading a team to oversee all HR and financial operations for research support, ensuring compliance with policies, and providing financial consultations. Applicants need a university degree and 5-8 years of relevant administrative, HR, or financial experience, along with strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

• Lead the OfR Human Resource and Finance team in all operations and processes.
• Provide supervision to team members and manage performance.
• Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with HR and financial policies and institutional guidelines.
• Oversee all HR related processes including faculty matters (appointment, reappointment, appraisal, and promotion).
• Manage research staff appointment, reappointment and temporary staffing processes.
• Review alignment in processes across research staff hiring for Education Research Funding Programme (ERFP) and Non-ERFP grants.
• Support in administrative staff related matters where required.
• Provide HR advisory and ensure accurate and timely reporting to management on HR-related research support matters.
• Liaise with NIE HRD and programme offices on faculty and research staff matters.
• Oversee faculty mentoring matters, including ERS/SERS/PERS-related processes, and coordinate with Research Centres to support implementation and follow-up.
• Oversee all financial operations related to research funding, 5th tranche funding and OfR funding.
• Work with the team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations in procurement, budgeting, claims processing, and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with institutional financial and procurement policies.
• Provide financial consultations to Principal Investigators (PIs) and stakeholders.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to management on 5th tranche funding.
• Support in 6th tranche proposal budget planning.
• Oversee and provide input on budget estimates, cashflow projections, and funder reporting.
• Serve as Delegation of Authority for research and non-research related expenditure where required.
• Liaise with NIE Finance and MOE to maintain strong operational and funding relationships.
• Work with Research Centres (RC) on HR and Finance shared services that cut across.

• At least 5 to 8 years of Administrative/HR/financial/procurement experience required.
• Meticulous with good analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, writing and organization skills.
• A strong team lead who is highly motivated and also able to collaborate within and across teams.
• Able to problem solve and work within tight deadlines.
• Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Word.