Director, Research and Advocacy

The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) was established in 1980 as the national coordinating body of women’s organisations in Singapore. SCWO has more than 60-member organisations, which represent over 600,000 women, and it serves to unite them to work toward ideals of ‘Equal Space, Equal Voice and Equal Worth’ for women in Singapore.

The Director, Research & Advocacy is a senior leadership role responsible for driving SCWO’s research agenda, policy development, and advocacy efforts in support of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Singapore. The role provides strategic direction to SCWO’s Research & Advocacy Department, overseeing the development of departmental strategies, budgets, and workplans, and ensuring high-quality research outputs that inform SCWO’s position papers, policy briefs, and advocacy initiatives.

The Director also plays a key role in launching the SCWO NGO workgroups that focuses on solutioning and interventions to address identified gender issues and overseeing SCWO’s international relations and engagements to strengthen the organisation's influence and networks regionally and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Head the Research & Advocacy Department and provide leadership in developing departmental strategies, annual budgets, and workplans aligned with SCWO’s mission and organisational priorities.
• Identify emerging issues, policy trends, and research priorities relevant to women’s development and gender equality in Singapore and internationally.

Research, Policy Development & Knowledge Leadership

• Oversee SCWO’s research activities, ensuring strong research design, credible methodologies, and evidence-based outputs.

• Lead the development and quality assurance of research reports, policy briefs, and position papers to support SCWO’s advocacy and stakeholder engagement efforts.

• Ensure research findings are effectively translated into actionable recommendations and public policy messaging.

Advocacy Strategy & NGO Workgroups’ Outcomes

• Lead and implement advocacy strategies and initiatives to support and achieve the desired outcomes of SCWO’s NGO workgroups.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance on advocacy planning, stakeholder positioning, and policy influence.
• Support engagement with relevant government agencies, community partners, and stakeholders to advance SCWO’s policy recommendations.

International Relations & Representation

• Oversee SCWO’s international relations activities, including participation in international forums, collaborations, networks, and engagements related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

• Represent SCWO in relevant international platforms where required.

People Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Research & Advocacy team, fostering a collaborative, high-performance, and mission-driven culture.
• Set clear goals, manage performance, and support professional development of team members.

Qualifications & Experience

• A recognised degree in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Gender Studies, International Relations, Economics, or a related field.

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in research, policy, advocacy, public affairs, or related fields, including a minimum of 3 years in a senior leadership or head-of-function role.

• Strong experience in policy research, report writing, and developing evidence-based recommendations.

• Proven ability to translate research into impactful advocacy strategies and influence stakeholder outcomes.

• Experience working with government agencies, civil society organisations, or international bodies is an advantage.

• Prior experience in the non-profit, advocacy, public sector, or research-based sector is highly desirable.

• Strong people management experience, with the ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and planning

• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills

• Policy writing and advocacy capability

• Stakeholder engagement and influence

• Strong understanding of Singapore’s socio-political and policy environment

• People leadership and team development

• Strong alignment with SCWO’s mission, values, and commitment to gender equality

This is a 2 years contract (Renewable) position.