Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Institute for Environment and Sustainability 

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) is seeking to engage a “senior policy researcher” who will be charged with helping build Southeast Asia’s leading environmental and sustainability policy think tank, to be housed within the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

The goal of the think tank is to offer “fit for purpose” policy analysis with which to assist governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses achieve their environment and sustainability goals.  The institute will be expand from, and draw on, the success of LKYSPP’s Institute of Water Policy (IWP).  Its purpose will be to integrate research, teaching, and outreach, with which to foster deliberations and innovative solutions, for ameliorating critical environmental and sustainability challenges, including water and food systems, and the climate and species extinction crises. 

Duties

The senior policy researcher will support the co-director of LKYSPP’s Policy Institute for Environment and Sustainability with a range of tasks and activities in support of building the new Institute. This includes, but is not limited to, engaging potential donors, grant writing, stakeholder engagement and outreach, writing policy briefs and contributing to research project in the area of environment and sustainability policy. 

Required Expertise 

- Experience in strategic engagement, stakeholder liaison and outreach with:
      - Singaporean, ASEAN, and global governance officials
      - Non-governmental, business, and philanthropic organizations

- Familiarity with the Singapore and/or international grant and philanthropic ecosystem 
- Strong awareness of the contribution of the social sciences to environmental problem solving
- Policy analysis and research
      - including ability to write substantive policy briefs, proposals for funding, and conference participation

Qualifications and skills

• Masters or PhD that includes training in environmental policy analysis
• Demonstrated track record of successful stakeholder engagement 
• Strong grant writing skills 
• Strong communication abilities
• Strong management and organizational skills
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams    
• Initiative and enthusiasm in taking on new projects and seeing them to completion

Application Procedure

Potential applicants must send a letter with the following documents in the application: 
• One-page cover letter, with a brief statement of relevant research expertise, and description of skills as specified above
• Curriculum vitae 
• One writing sample, preferably a published manuscript on a topic relevant to environmental/sustainability policy (min. 500 words) 
• Copies of transcripts (Masters or PhD degree as relevant)
• Details of two referees who can comment on the applicant’s academic abilities and outreach experience 

Send the documents before 30 September 2021 to:

Cheong May Lee (may@nus.edu.sg) and cc: Prof. Ben Cashore, co-director of LKYSPP’s Environmental and Sustainability initiative (sppbwc@nus.edu.sg).

Terms

The offer is competitive based on experience. The position will be on the basis of a contract for services from November 1, 2021 until April 1, 2022. The successful candidate may be offered, following positive performance evaluation and subject to Singapore’s hiring regulations and funding availability, a full time position as NUS employee thereafter. Remote engagement is possible until April 2022. If the position will be continued as a full-time position at NUS, the successful applicant will be expected to move to Singapore. This position is subject to final formal approval.