Manager/ Plant Science & Health (Contract)

[What the role is]

The Plant Science and Health branch of NParks acts as the national authority for plant health in accordance with the World Trade Organization – Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measure Agreement and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to safeguard international trade from plant pests.

The Manager is responsible for overseeing and improving NParks' plant health services. This includes strategic oversight of plant health inspections, managing import regulations and phytosanitary certification, leading bio-surveillance programs, conducting import risk analysis, and auditing import and export management schemes. In addition, the role involves reviewing and driving business efficiency and transformation through the innovative application of technologies in phytosanitary services.

[What you will be working on]

Phytosanitary Services

 1.    Phytosanitary Certification Services (Export Health Certification)

• Supervise processing of application of phytosanitary certification

• Serve as Approving Officer for phytosanitary certification, conduct weekly meetings to update team on phytosanitary services data, issues encountered and suggest/provide resolutions

2.    Inspection (Export & Import)

• Conduct premise/office inspection of plants and plant products for phytosanitary certification and import regulation as required

 

3.    Audit of Management Systems

• Serve as Lead or part of Audit team to conduct compliance audit of import and export management systems managed under NParks

 

4.    Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Actions 

• Manage the daily issuance of import permits via TradeNet and M2AVS, provide guidance on import regulations, and oversee enforcement actions for non-compliant importations

 

 Plant Nursery Phytosanitary Management Program (PMPMP)

• Conduct industry engagement to introduce the PMPMP program to the plant nursery industry

• Manage import regulatory functions covered by the program which includes pest monitoring, surveillance, sample collection for laboratory testing and provision of best pest management approaches to the industry

 

Risk Assessment

• Conduct and review import risk analysis for the import of regulated pests on potential risks, impact to plants and the environment, and propose risk mitigation measures to facilitate import approval

• Be involved in reviews and updates on plant health regulations under the Control of Plants Act

 

International Relations

• Manage Singapore’s portal under the IPPC with updated information

• Manage and maintain communication channels with relevant National Plant Protection Organization counterparts

[What we are looking for]

• Area of study in related sciences (e.g. Horticultural Science, Life Science) preferred

• Holds a valid Class 3 Driving License and able to drive to conduct field inspection and audit

• Able to write and communicate well in English; conversant in at least one other language or dialect

• Excellent knowledge in IT applications (Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel etc.)

• Able to work outdoors and is a good team player

• Capable of dealing with demanding customers and handling vendors

• Applicants with strong interest in plants and plant pest would be preferred

• Applicant with knowledge or experience in science-based risk assessment activities would be preferred

Office Location:

The Animal & Plant Health Centre

6 Perahu Road, Singapore 718827

(Bus pick-up and drop-off at Jurong and Kranji MRT stations are available)

 

Successful candidate will be offered a one-year employment contract with possibility of renewal. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.