Are you a strategic leader with methodological expertise in research, evaluation, and implementation science? Do you have a passion for enacting meaningful, actionable change? Are you ready to steer a global organisation's strategic direction with a focus on innovation and effectiveness? If so, the CEI team would love to hear from you.
Location: Singapore (hybrid)
Remuneration: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Contract terms: 2 years with 6-month probationary period
What will the Director do?
The primary role of the Director is to oversee, develop and strengthen the methodological quality of CEI’s work in evaluation and monitoring for Singapore and Asia. Depending on experience, the leader will also oversee projects involving implementation science, research (including evidence reviews) and translational research.
The Director will be a member of the organisation-wide Leadership Team responsible for driving and facilitating the delivery of CEI’s vision.
Specifically, the primary focus areas of the Director are:
- High quality project delivery – This role will undertake project oversight, working across projects and geographies to provide leadership to CEI teams as they deliver projects. CEI leads strategic projects for some of Singapore and the region’s most innovative and forward-thinking government agencies, philanthropic organisations, and social sector agencies.
- Leading high-quality research – The Director will ensure standards for high quality research and evaluation for CEI’s work in Singapore and Asia, in partnership with global Methods Lab leadership. This will include leading a methodologically strong workforce to produce high-quality work alongside line managing and supervising research and evaluation team members.
- Business and client development and stakeholder management – The Director will initiate, cultivate, and sustain strategic relationships with organisations and individuals across the region and build a portfolio of fee-paying projects that are aligned with CEI’s vision and focus areas. This Director will grow the institutional profile for CEI a leader in the field and of their own profile as a leader of the institution.
- Strategic leadership – Initiate, develop and maintain strategic relationships, build a portfolio of work in Singapore aligned with CEI's vision and focus areas, and lead large scale funding bids.
- Team leadership – Co-lead the Singapore team ensuring we recruit, develop, engage, and retain excellent staff working to high standards of rigor.
This role will also have regional travel responsibilities, to build relationships and work with partners.
Key areas of responsibility
High quality project delivery, including:
- Expertly lead a project portfolio and project teams, driving quality and impact for all our work
- Ensure project health and sustainability by assuming operational responsibility for:
- Establishing and supporting project governance, ensuring appropriate resource allocation, and enabling project performance, compliance, and accountability
- Quality assurance processes
- Ensure financial health and sustainability of the Singapore team and our wider business, through efficient project management and delivery, working closely with the Managing Director
- Contribute to other CEI projects on an as-needed basis by providing strategic or technical input.
Leading high-quality research, including
- Lead the development of research methods and oversee the methodological quality of CEI’s research and evaluation in Singapore, working alongside the Methods Lab leadership, including the review of significant proposals, plans, and reports integral to CEI’s business development and delivery.
- Support the development of CEI-wide standards, tools, and approaches to improve the methodological quality and consistency of CEI’s work in consultation with the Leadership Team
- Identify and support the management and resolution of significant issues related to quality of methods in consultation with the Methods Lab leadership.
- Support organisational efforts to refine and communicate CEI’s approach to research and evaluation across products, including in leading implementation of approaches in Singapore.
- Identify developmental opportunities to build the methodological of Singapore staff.
- Support CEI teams in scoping, developing, and communicating research and evaluation proposals, plans, analysis, and reports.
- Supervise members of the CEI Singapore team; support activities to enhance understanding, application, and design of methodologies using implementation science, evaluation and evidence synthesis models or frameworks.
- Contribute to CEI’s Methods Lab as an active member.
Business and client development and stakeholder management, including
- Co-lead business development in Singapore and the region, ensuring a strong project pipeline and increased median project revenue.
- Lead and/or oversee the development of high quality successful competitive tenders and grant applications.
- Build long-term, mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with key sector stakeholders and with national and international partners.
- Use compelling, evidence-informed, and engaging thought leadership to influence stakeholders and the sector.
- Manage complex stakeholder relationships including with high-profile clients, partners/collaborators, and other stakeholders.
- Raise the profile of CEI in Singapore and the region, including by proactively cultivating a network of key stakeholders.
- Ensure CEI’s strong presence in Singapore and the region, and represent CEI at forums, conferences, and meetings.
- Seek opportunities to share CEI’s thought leadership publicly and to contribute to the field.
Strategic leadership, including
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of CEI globally, including operationalising and leading on selected strategic priorities and ensuring delivery.
- In collaboration with the rest of the Leadership Team, expand CEI’s profile and presence and diversify funding sources.
- Build organisational capacity to thrive, make a real impact, and do so efficiently and sustainably.
- Make strategic contributions to CEI’s internal operations.
Team and project leadership
- Co-lead the Singapore team as a highly engaged, high-performing and diverse group, closely tracking staff wellbeing and cultivating CEI’s culture of staff growth and development, sharing of expertise, and excellent teamwork and collaboration across the organisation.
- Co-develop a senior management team and staff group with the right skills, capabilities, experiences and behaviours to support a sustainable business where diversity is valued, and employees thrive.
- Co-direct and oversee the healthy and efficient functioning of the Singapore office, working closely with the Managing Director
Health and safety requirements
- Act in a safe manner always, including complying with all safety instructions and training given at the workplace.
- Participate in, and contribute to, health and safety awareness and improvements.
- Comply with emergency evacuation procedures.
- Report all incidents, injuries, and potential hazards in a timely manner.
- Be aware of, and consider, the risks associated with your everyday work and apply appropriate mitigation measures.
What makes me great for this role?
As a seasoned and knowledgeable professional in the Singapore and Southeast Asia region, your experience in project management and stakeholder engagement provides a strong foundation for impactful results.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Expertise and credibility in research and evaluation, and ideally also in evidence synthesis and implementation science
- Significant expertise in the development of research and evaluation methods, including quantitative methods (minimum 8 years’ experience)
- Expertise and credibility in at least two of our key content areas (e.g. mental health, social care and social welfare, parenting, education, youth justice) and a willingness to quickly develop expertise in other areas.
- Advanced written and verbal communication, able to produce engaging outputs for a wide variety of audiences to support effective knowledge translation, and to chair meetings and present to diverse audiences.
- Deep familiarity with the Singapore and wider Asian context alongside strong networks and established credibility within the Singapore and/or wider Asian social research sector
- Successful track record of winning new projects through competitive tenders, grant applications and direct approaches from stakeholders; experience in preparing proposals to secure new work and negotiating contractual terms of business.
- Advanced client and stakeholder engagement skills and project management skills, including understanding client expectations, resolving conflicts, allocating resources, and managing budgets, and motivating and leading teams.
- Advanced team and people management skills, including coaching, mentoring, and developing staff, and able to work effectively as a member as well as a leader of teams.
- Successful track record in organisational leadership role and of developing a positive organisational culture.
- Capacity to think and act strategically to support business growth and impact.
Personal attributes
- Commitment to diversity, high standards of professional ethics, and evidence-informed practice and policymaking
- High levels of emotional intelligence, motivation, and energy, including a collaborative and engaging style
- Evidence of a high level of personal productivity and work impact and of thriving in a fast-paced dynamic environment
- Demonstrated ability to show initiative, solve problems, analyse, and interpret various types of information.
- Values working in a team and enjoys making a positive contribution to the team’s objectives.
- Commitment to learning and to contributing to a learning environment.
- Commitment to the ongoing development of a positive organisational culture
Qualifications/accreditations
- Postgraduate degree in psychology, health, social science, or a related discipline.
Why work for CEI?
This is more than a job – it's an opportunity to contribute to systemic change and embark on a mission driven career in a rapidly growing organisation. Being part of the CEI family offers:
- Purposeful impact: Join a team united by the belief that good evidence and effective implementation can transform society.
- Culture: Embrace our values-driven culture, celebrating diversity and championing lived experiences.
- Professional evolution: Take part in continuous learning, professional development, and opportunities to maximise your potential.
- Empowerment & ownership: Thrive in a dynamic environment where every role makes a tangible impact, ensuring your contributions matter.
- Global reach: Engage and collaborate with a network of global partners and work on projects that span continents.
- Community & collaboration: Grow in our supportive, progressive culture that balances challenging work with fun.
- Enduring partnership: With CEI, you're not just starting a job; you're building a future and legacy. We're invested in your journey, fostering a space where you can build a lasting career and make a difference.
- Work benefits: Enjoy an extra 5 days paid annual leave during the Christmas shutdown period, a competitive salary, and extra benefits.
- Flexibility: Our flexible work policies enable you to work from home and compress your work week.
CEI is committed to diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to CEI’s work. We are driven to improve outcomes for communities facing adversity through leveraging the best available evidence. We actively seek and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, and with lived experience of the social issues our work addresses and in the communities, we aim to serve.
How do I apply?
Please submit your CV and cover letter highlighting your alignment with the position competencies.
Note – while you're not required to address each competency individually, we encourage you to illustrate how you satisfy as many of the job-related, personal and qualification competencies as you can.
Applications must be submitted via email: cei.hr.sg@ceiglobal.org
Download the applicant pack HERE
Applications will remain open until the role is filled.
Please note: The Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) is a subsidiary of Save the Children Australia, a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a national police check and sign our child protection policy and code of conduct.
Only applicants with rights to work in Singapore will be considered.