Senior Assistant Director/Asst Dir/Exec Mgr (Nuclear Planning & Strategy Dept)

[What the role is]

The Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Group in the National Environment Agency (NEA) is the national authority for radiation protection in Singapore and serves to protect the public, radiation workers and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. Its Nuclear Safety Division is responsible for developing capabilities, plans and ecosystems to support national nuclear safety & security assessment, radiological emergency response, and nuclear regulatory development efforts. The division is also responsible for ensuring that Singapore fulfils its obligations to international conventions and agreements with respect to the safe and peaceful use of nuclear material and technology.

Singapore is studying the potential deployment of nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy. Singapore will also need to prepare for the possibility of nuclear power deployment by other countries in the region. These endeavours involve planning and strategizing the development of legal and regulatory infrastructure required for a potential nuclear power programme and building up capabilities in nuclear safety, emergency preparedness and response and radiation protection.

You will be a key member of the team that will play a pivotal role in formulating nuclear regulatory policies and development of drawer legislation, including determining how a potential nuclear regulatory body would be set up. The team will also review and strengthen Singapore's nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response to domestic and regional incidents.

This is a rare opportunity to be at the forefront of Singapore’s nuclear energy journey.

[What you will be working on]

Nuclear is a complex and emotive topic, and requires a diverse range of expertise to fully assess its implications for Singapore.

By joining this team, you will have the opportunity to shape Singapore’s nuclear regulatory landscape, collaborate with international experts, and contribute to nuclear safety, security, safeguards and radiation protection capability building efforts domestically and regionally.

• Determine and draft drawer amendments to existing legislation and new legislation necessary for establishment of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, including the development of an implementation roadmap and timelines for the drafting, approval and enactment of such legislation.
• Identify policy decisions to be made, study the options and implications, and prepare policy recommendations required to form the nuclear legal and regulatory framework.
• Work with international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Nuclear Energy Agency, and experts such as mature nuclear regulators, for support and advice on the development of potential national nuclear laws and regulations.
• Define competencies, resources institutional arrangements, and organisational structure needed to establish a potential nuclear regulatory body.
• Engage relevant stakeholder agencies to develop plans for future regulatory interfaces, such as in emergency planning and response and custom controls.
• Develop, review and enhance radiological and nuclear emergency plans, identify gaps and propose enhancements to strengthen Singapore's emergency preparedness and response to domestic and regional incidents, and ensure that response capabilities are always kept current and operationally ready for deployment.

[What we are looking for]

The job might be for you if you possess:

• Relevant training in public policy or related disciplines; qualifications in science or engineering fields are advantageous.
• Applicants should have minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience.
• Excellent analytical, coordination and communication (written and verbal) skills are critical for this position.
• Aptitude to understand concepts in radiation protection and nuclear technology and communicate with internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Able to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments and able to work efficiently to meet tight deadlines.
• Able to adapt to changes and has a positive work attitude.
• Able to travel overseas for official trips.
• We are looking for a committed team player, with a strong interest to shape Singapore’s nuclear regulatory landscape.