Description

The National Robotics Programme Office (NRPO) is responsible for catalysing differentiated Robotics and Embodied AI (EAI) R&D capabilities at our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Research Institutes (RIs) for the benefit of our economy and society. NRPO also works to foster public-private partnerships to ensure robotics and EAI technologies and IPs developed with public funding are relevant for industry and are commercialised into useful products, services and solutions that are adopted in Singapore and around the world.

A key role of NRPO is to bring together end-users across different industries, robotics, automation and EAI companies, and our IHLs/RIs to identify use cases and technology gaps that public-private partnerships can help to address. In so doing, we enhance Singapore's robotics and EAI R&D capabilities and help Singapore-based robotics,  automation and EAI companies to innovate and differentiate themselves in the market.

Another key role of NRPO is to work together with partner agencies to grow our robotics and EAI industry comprising system integrators, robot vendors, software and component suppliers. A strong and vibrant robotics and EAI industry with companies developing and making robotics and EAI products and solutions here for export will help to support our end-user industries and act as vehicles for the commercialisation of technologies and IPs developed by our IHLs/RIs.

We are looking for a highly independent and motivated person to join NRPO to perform the following under the Planning unit:

Strategic Planning and Analysis.

• Conceptualise and drive our multi-year national strategy for Robotics and Embodied AI, developing collaterals to facilitate discussions within NRPO and external stakeholders, including government agencies, to understand different views and align with our objectives and outcomes.
• The role requires experience in facilitating and driving stakeholder conversations to enable our leadership and governing board to make informed decisions with regards to NRPO’s plans and directions. Key tasks include preparing strategy or funding papers, presentations and staffing notes, as well as to support workplan and strategy reviews within NRPO. Direct experience in working on NRF’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plans and funding strategy or have developed RIE funding initiatives is a necessary requirement. Candidate without this experience will not be considered as the candidate is expected to hit the ground running.
• Only Singaporeans may apply. 
• Conduct analysis of our research capabilities and ecosystem, including benchmarking where possible, taking inputs from policy, tech and data trends, industry sensing and projects, to support strategy development and course corrections where necessary.

Secretariat Support and Project Management.

• Perform Secretariat functions for Robotics and Embodied AI governing board meetings, including leveraging on working level platforms to engage stakeholders and key ecosystem players to shape the agenda towards NRPO’s mission.  

• May be deployed to select strategic projects to manage, to ensure project cadence, deliverables and outcomes are well aligned with NRPO, as well as exposure to our processes.
• May be appointed, by rotation, to take on operational/administrative secondary roles within NRPO, e.g. in data protection, business continuity, etc.

Requirements:

• Minimum degree with 5-7 years of experience in RIE strategy, planning and/or policy analysis, with demonstrated ability to provide analysis and insights that create executable plans, as well as strong writing skills to deliver clear and concise narratives. Well qualified candidates may be considered for the Senior Assistant Director role. Those who have demonstrated to have led the shaping to the eventual approval of an RIE funding initiative would have an added advantage.
• Engineering or Robotics/AI background is a plus but not required.
• Proven track record of stakeholder coordination and engagement, with impactful deliverables.
• Able to maintain composure and handle pressure from tight deadlines and dynamic changes in positioning from stakeholders, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate issues and plan for contingency.
• Strong and proactive ownership on assigned tasks to deliver successful outcomes.