About NATi

The Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi), hosted by A*STAR, is Singapore's national platform dedicated to advancing RNA-based medicines and revolutionising drug and vaccine development. NATi's mission is to establish Singapore as a globally recognised hub of excellence in nucleic acid therapeutics research, clinical translation, and commercialisation. 

NATi focuses on key RNA modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA). To drive this vision, NATi is building a biotech-like translational engine focused on asset and technology development spanning discovery to clinical development. 

We are actively seeking passionate and committed RNA scientists with deep translational expertise to join us in advancing the next generation of RNA-based therapeutics. 


Position Overview

The Programme Manager, Grants will be responsible for managing all the operations of NATi grants, leading end-to-end delivery of complex projects, ensuring outcomes are achieved on time, within scope, and within budget. This role provides ecosystem engagement, stakeholder and risk management, and cross-functional coordination to deliver high-impact initiatives aligned with organisational priorities.

The preferred candidate is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, manage multiple concurrent grants, and manage senior stakeholders.


Key Responsibilities

Grant Programme Management

• Lead the design, implementation, and enhancement of grant programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational and policy objectives.
• Manage full grant lifecycle: call for proposals, applicant evaluation, approval workflows, contracting, fund disbursement, monitoring, and closure.
• Develop and maintain grant guidelines, assessment criteria, SOPs, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure transparent, fair, and consistent assessment and evaluation processes.
• Work closely with the Portfolio Managers to schedule and coordinate monthly meetings and stage gates.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Engagement

• Work closely with applicants, stakeholders, and internal teams to ensure smooth programme delivery.
• Facilitate evaluation panels, advisory committees, and steering groups.
• Engagement with the ecosystem to understand the capabilities and gaps in the RNA drug development space.

 
Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Oversee compliance with policies, financial controls, regulatory requirements, and audit standards.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across grant processes, beneficiaries, and project milestones.
• Ensure documentation, approvals, and reporting meet audit requirements.
• Manage issues such as milestone delays, cost deviations, and non compliance cases.

Performance Monitoring & Impact Evaluation

• Track progress of funded projects through regular reporting, site visits, milestone reviews, and performance assessments.
• Analyse data to assess programme effectiveness, ROI, and long term impact.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and insights for leadership and stakeholders.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Knowledge

• Experience managing grants or public programmes.
• Strong understanding of governance, audit requirements, budget management, and compliance processes.
• Ability to analyse financial proposals, project plans, and performance outcomes.
• Familiarity with digital grant systems is advantageous.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Ability to manage sensitive issues with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Strong project leadership, analytical thinking, and problem solving abilities.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Experience in drafting official memos, meeting summaries etc.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Able to address policy and grants issues effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5-10 years of experience in grant administration, programme management, policy, or project delivery.
• Experience in public sector, funding agencies, or regulated environments is an advantage.