Assistant Director / Senior Assistant Director, A*STAR Office of Sustainability

The A*STAR Office of Sustainability (AOS) was setup in 2023 to provide strategic guidance to A*STAR for its sustainability transformation, with the goal of meeting Singapore's Public Sector GreenGov.SG 2030 targets, and galvanizing A*STAR and the wider community to contribute to our national sustainability interests and ambitions.

AOS is in charge of the four key pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Social, Governance (i.e. ESG), and profiling A*STAR's R&D technologies. AOS works with internal colleagues (HQ, SERC, BMRC, I&E, and A*STAR Research Entities, REs), and external stakeholders (public agencies, IHLs and private sector) to co-develop and promote sustainability strategies and solutions.

The AOS is seeking potential candidates to take up a Senior Assistant Director position, where the candidate will be in charge of and responsible for three key programmes within his/her work portfolio, as well as contribute and play a supporting role in a number of other AOS programmes managed by other AOS members, including but not limited to Sustainability Reporting, identifying and propagating Best practices, Sustainability Risk Management and Sustainability Pilots:

Key Responsibilities

1. Drive A*STAR's Sustainability Dashboard programme:
   • Conduct A*STAR Resource Utilisation and Environmental Footprint Audit.
   • Manage A*STAR's Water Efficiency Plan and Water Efficiency Index (WEI).
2. 5-Year Technology Planning and General Duties:
   • Support and implement AOS workplan objectives and programmes.
   • Support AOS Deputy Director and work with relevant teams for technology foresighting when required.
   • Monitor his/her own portfolio of programmes and ensure progress in fulfilling the aims and outcomes through avenues such as quarterly updates, annual reports, midterm reviews and final review, to contribute towards meeting A*STAR environmental targets.
3. Drive A*STAR's Sustainability Dashboard Programme:
   • Work with stakeholders to guide the development of a software that centralizes, quantifies and displays A*STAR's environmental impact and key resource consumption, allowing for resource optimization, environmental footprint mitigation and sustainability strategy development.
   • Analyse the impact of technological trends on global and national economic developments and performance, and evaluates the recommendations of industry leaders with best-in-class technologies in environmental sustainability.
   • Regularly monitor A*STAR's key environmental footprint (i.e. waste and emissions) and key resource consumption (i.e. energy and water).
   • Recommend to the management the way ahead after analysing the impact of A*STAR's key environmental sustainability performance indicators.
   • Work with relevant stakeholders to implement the Sustainability Dashboard Programme.
4. A*STAR Resource Utilisation and Environmental Footprint Audit:
   • Sporadically conduct resource and environmental footprint audits at selected A*STAR Research Entities (REs) and Divisions.
   • Recommend to the management the way ahead after analysing the impact of A*STAR's key environmental sustainability performance indicators.
   • Recommend and implement value capture strategies for the programme, e.g. propose technologies and/or approaches to reduce resource consumption.
   • Analyse and interpret the impact(s) of national and international Science and Technology (S&T) policies, plans and works with AOS DD on workplan strategies and initiatives.
5. Manage A*STAR's Water Efficiency Plan and Water Efficiency Index (WEI):
   • Analyse and interpret the impact(s) of national and international S&T policies, plans and initiatives on the AOS's work, specifically to A*STAR's effort in reducing its WEI.
   • Supervise the organisation of Best-in-Class Technology Panel to obtain recommendations on the technical feasibilities and merits of the programmes.
   • Drive and work with A*STAR REs to implement opportunities for sustainability value creation and value capture.

Job Requirements

• Degree or postgraduate degree in a related field, with at least 5 years of relevant working experience.
• Educational background in science and/or engineering will be an advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in best-in-class technologies and solutions for facilities and R&D operations will be an advantage.
• Passion for sustainability, ability to influence and strategic mind will be of advantage.
• Possess strong strategic and analytical thinking, project management and negotiation skills.
• Pro-active, quality conscious, attentive to details and results-oriented.
• Able to deliver results under tight timelines.
• High learning agility and adaptability.
• Able to work in a team and adept at harnessing the diversity in multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Good communication (written and verbal), people and interpersonal skills.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.