The Corporate Services (CS) division of the GIS is the institute’s supporting arm. Not unlike the oil that lubricates the engine, the main function of the CS division is to ensure the smooth-running of the scientific research activities of the institute.

It comprises the following offices:

• Administrative Management
• Corporate Communications
• Facilities & Maintenance
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Procurement & Contracts

Office of Administrative Management (OAM)

The OAM functions to provide a conducive work environment for all members of the GIS family. This includes sourcing for and maintaining the landscaping and artwork within the premises of the institute. OAM also provides reception and administrative support, and maintains the boardroom and meeting rooms, refreshment requirements, and pantry and stationery supplies. It provides resources support to maintain a scientific library and e-journal subscriptions, and sources for suitable accommodation and flight requirements for the institute’s international visitors.

Office of Corporate Communications (OCC)

The OCC is responsible for communicating the institute’s corporate image and identity that is crucial to the relationship-building process with our international scientific colleagues, collaborators, governments, employees, suppliers and contractors, and the general public.

To this end, OCC manages and executes the internal and external communication channels that flow through the institute, such as the website, intranet and corporate brochure. We handle corporate events such as international scientific conferences and symposiums. We manage and handle visits by the institute’s corporate visitors, both local and overseas. We manage and maintain good relations with the media, and publish press releases and handle media interviews in order to garner positive media mentions. We protect and maintain GIS’ corporate identity by ensuring that the institute’s logo and stationery and collateral guidelines are adhered to.

Office of Facilities & Maintenance (OFM)

The OFM provides operational support in areas such as air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation and electrical power supply. This is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of mechanical and electrical plant equipment, including common lab equipment.

OFM strives for minimum system downtime. This is achieved by the implementation of properly planned preventive maintenance programs.

Additionally, OFM handles security, housekeeping, pest control and season car parking matters, and is responsible for maximizing space utilization for the offices and laboratories.

Office of Finance (OFN)

The OFN aims to provide value-added and quality financial/accounting services to support GIS in its bid to foster world-class scientific research and development.

Some of the activities handled by OFN are:

• Provision of timely and accurate monthly financial reporting
• Monitoring of the availability of funds (funds management)
• Monitoring of cash flow
• Management of treasury function
• Preparation of yearly financial budgets
• Preparation of project management reports and maintenance of the project system in the SAP (Systems Applications and Products)
• Processing of timely payments to vendors and staff
• Management of fixed assets

Office of Human Resources (OHR)

The OHR is responsible for recruitment, staff remuneration and benefits, organization development, training and coaching, performance management, policy management, and employee relations.

Advocating for both the institute as well as for our staff members, we work in close tandem with the human resources of A*STAR and with our scientific foci and non-scientific offices to achieve a job-match for all staff, in order that each individual may be incorporated well into the fabric of the GIS outfit and contribute effectively towards the overall success of the institute.

Office of Procurement & Contracts (OPC)

The OPC is responsible for all purchasing matters and is the central archival of purchasing-related contract documents. Specifically, we handle the raising of purchase orders, and tenders for big ticket items, through the Systems Applications and Products (SAP) system to external venders. We also support web orders to the A*STAR Biopolis Shared Facility (BSF) Supply Centre. Our purchasing workflow strictly adheres to the A*Star Financial Policies & Procedures (FPP).