The Public Service newbie guide

A curated onboarding view of the main glossary, covering workplace terms and abbreviations you may encounter in the Singapore Public Service.

Learn 54 starter terms, browse 54 essentials, or search all 422. Every item is also searchable in the full glossary.

Understanding the hierarchy

Statutory board A body established by legislation to perform public functions. It is part of government but is a separate legal entity, generally with its own governing board and operational flexibility. Understanding the hierarchy
Stat board Statutory Board Understanding the hierarchy
Permanent Secretary The administrative head of a ministry and a senior career public officer responsible to the Minister. Understanding the hierarchy
WOG Whole-of-Government Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Chief Executive The senior executive who heads a statutory board’s administration and management and works with its board, parent ministry and the wider Public Service. Understanding the hierarchy
PS Permanent Secretary Understanding the hierarchy
Political office-holder A political leader holding government office, such as a Minister, Senior Minister of State, Minister of State or Parliamentary Secretary, as distinct from a career public officer. Understanding the hierarchy
2PS Second Permanent Secretary Understanding the hierarchy
ACE Assistant Chief Executive Understanding the hierarchy
AD Assistant Director Understanding the hierarchy
CE Chief Executive Understanding the hierarchy
Central agency An agency that sets or coordinates policies, standards, resources or capabilities across the Public Service. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Civil Service The part of the Public Service made up of officers employed in ministries; statutory boards are legally distinct employers. Understanding the hierarchy
Clean wage A remuneration approach in which salary components are explicit and there are no hidden perks or unlisted benefits. HR & career Understanding the hierarchy
CM Coordinating Minister Understanding the hierarchy
DCCOM Defence Cyber Command Understanding the hierarchy
DCE Deputy Chief Executive Understanding the hierarchy
DD Deputy Director Understanding the hierarchy
Decision rights The allocation of authority to make specified decisions, approve commitments or resolve trade-offs within an organisation or across agencies. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Dir Director Understanding the hierarchy
Div Dir Divisional Director Understanding the hierarchy
DPM Deputy Prime Minister Understanding the hierarchy
DS Deputy Secretary Understanding the hierarchy
GCDTO Government Chief Digital Technology Officer Understanding the hierarchy
GD Group Director Understanding the hierarchy
HCS Head of Civil Service Understanding the hierarchy
Lead agency The agency responsible for driving coordination, consolidating inputs and moving a cross-agency issue or initiative forward. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Leadership Statement A leadership creed presented to newly appointed organisation heads, setting out their stewardship role, duty and collective responsibility as Public Service leaders. Understanding the hierarchy
Ministerial Statement A statement made in Parliament by a Minister regarding the Government’s policy or decision. Writing a paper Understanding the hierarchy
Ministry family A ministry together with the statutory boards or agencies that work in its broad policy and delivery domain. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
MOS Minister of State Understanding the hierarchy
Notice Paper A parliamentary document listing questions, motions, Bills and other business for which notice has been given for a future sitting. Writing a paper Understanding the hierarchy
OCC Our Core Competencies Understanding the hierarchy
Organ of State An institution listed separately from ministries and statutory boards in the Singapore Government Directory, such as Parliament, the Judiciary, the Attorney-General’s Chambers or the Auditor-General’s Office. Understanding the hierarchy
Parent ministry The ministry to which a statutory board or related agency reports for broad policy and governance oversight. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Parl Sec Parliamentary Secretary Understanding the hierarchy
Pre-Cab Pre-Cabinet meeting Understanding the hierarchy Writing a paper
Principal The senior person whose position, decision or engagement the staff team is preparing for, such as a Minister, Permanent Secretary or Chief Executive. Understanding the hierarchy
Public Service The wider Singapore Public Service, comprising officers working in ministries and statutory boards. Understanding the hierarchy Working across agencies
Public Service Values The core values expected of Singapore public officers: integrity, service and excellence. Understanding the hierarchy
SAFC4DC SAF C4 and Digitalisation Command Understanding the hierarchy
SD Senior Director Understanding the hierarchy
Secretariat The team or officer that organises a committee or meeting, coordinates papers, drafts minutes and tracks follow-up actions. Understanding the hierarchy
Sectoral Leadership Committee A committee of Permanent Secretaries that identifies leadership talent and oversees officers' development, deployment and progression within a Public Service sector. Understanding the hierarchy HR & career
SM Senior Minister Understanding the hierarchy
SMS Senior Minister of State Understanding the hierarchy
SO Staff Officer Understanding the hierarchy
SPS Senior Parliamentary Secretary Understanding the hierarchy
Standing Orders Rules approved by Parliament to regulate its proceedings, remaining in force until amended or repealed by the House. Understanding the hierarchy
Superscale A Civil Service grade category generally associated with senior-management appointments; MX9 is one example. Understanding the hierarchy
Timescale officer A Division I public officer holding an appointment below Superscale grade within the officer's Scheme of Service. Understanding the hierarchy
Treasury Under the Financial Procedure Act, the Minister responsible for finance together with officers under the Minister's administrative control or direction. Understanding the hierarchy
Votes and Proceedings The official minutes of the proceedings and decisions of Parliament, including proceedings of a Committee of the whole Parliament. Writing a paper Understanding the hierarchy
White Paper A Government policy document issued to explain or discuss a matter, often presented for debate in Parliament. Writing a paper Understanding the hierarchy