Overview


What is the International Postings Programme?
The International Postings Programme (iPOST) is a talent development initiative supported by the Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF). Its objective is to increase opportunities for Singaporeans to be groomed through international exposure to build capabilities for future global and regional management or specialist roles across all levels.

Under the iPOST, the FSDF will defray part of the costs incurred by Financial Institutions (FIs) in sending Singapore citizens (“SCs”) on global and regional attachments or postings.
Eligibility
  • Financial Institutions based in Singapore [1]
  • Only SCs who have been identified by FIs as promising individuals to be groomed for future management or specialist roles will be eligible.
  • FIs should have a clear objective for sending the SC on the overseas attachment or posting, which should be a relevant and important component of the SC’s career development plan.
  • Postings may be to firms within the FI’s group of companies or within its broader network of firms that the FI has a close business relationship and works jointly with in a foreign market. [2]
  • Duration of the overseas attachment or posting should be at least 6 months.
  • Upon completion of the programme, the SC should return to Singapore to take on a role that is in line with the career development plans submitted in the application (subject to performance). [3]

[1] Entities regulated by the Monetary Authoriy of Singapore (either licensed, approved, registered or recognised; or exempted from being licensed, approved, registered or recognised), as listed on MAS FI Directory.

Funding Support

The details of the funding support are as follows:

Qualifying Costs Funding Support
  • Airfare
  • Accommodation
  • Cost-of-living / per diem allowance based on IRAS per diem rate [4]
  • Salary (for postings to countries in Asia only)
  • 50% of qualifying costs [5]

Subject to the overall cap of:

  • S$80,000 per SC per year for postings to countries in Asia, up to 2 years; and
  • S$50,000 per SC per year for postings to the rest of the world, up to 2 years.

 

Approval and Claims Process
  • Approval for funding under iPOST is on a case-by-case basis, subject to the fulfilment of all eligibility criteria.
  • Funding for approved applications will be disbursed on an annual reimbursement basis. More details will be outlined in the Letter of Offer provided to successful applicants.
  • Claims submission for approved applications should be made as per claims schedule outlined in the Letter of Offer provided to successful applicants.
How to Apply
All interested applicants should submit their applications to the IBF directly, at least two months before the start of the international attachment or posting. 

Keen to find out how your FI can leverage on this scheme? 

Footnotes:

[1] Entities regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (either licensed, approved, registered or recognised; or exempted from being licensed, approved, registered or recognised as listed in MAS FI Directory
[2] Postings to non-FIs are generally not encouraged,unless there are clear and strong justifications on the value of such postings.
[3] Should the SC remain overseas after his posting (whether in the same role or to take on a different role), the FI will need to justify how the extension of posting is in line with the SC’s career roadmap for MAS’ assessment on whether to disburse the last tranche of funding.
[5]Subject to MAS internal guidelines and benchmarks

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