About Us

We are a community-centric design, planning and education non-profit that helps neighbourhoods and public institutions design with people and not just for people. We believe that everyone has the right to participate in and influence the design and planning processes that affect them, and provide services in designing and facilitating the public participation and engagement process.

You can find out more about us at www.participateindesign.org

About This Role

This is an important leadership role. The successful candidate would be expected to work closely with our Executive Director and all other members of the team to:

• Oversee day-to-day operations and lead projects, allowing our work to flourish while ensuring the timely delivery of expected outputs within the allocated resources

• Supervise teams through all phases of the project, including designing the participatory process and methods, coordinating and executing participatory activities, collecting and analysing data, crafting insights and strategies, and producing communication materials and reports

• Conduct on-the ground research and engagement (e.g. interviews, field observations, workshops, pop-up events and prototypes)

• Establish, manage and maintain excellent relationships within the team as well as with community and government partners, clients, funding bodies, participatory design ‘allies’ and volunteers

• Develop project proposals, strategic plans and organisational policies, in alignment with P!D’s vision

• Represent P!D at local and international events and platforms

While the contract duration currently stands at 1 year, we are open to exploring possibilities for extension and/or conversion into other roles.

You Might Thrive In This Role If…

• You have a minimum of 2-3 years of experience (3 to 5 years of experience would be the most ideal) in applied research (e.g. urban research and design consultancy) or professional experience working in domains such as geography, architecture, planning, public policy, community building, and others.

• You have strong interests or firm beliefs in the importance of citizen engagement, and are energised by the idea of working on the ground with people from all walks of life to achieve a common goal.

• You are an open-minded, empathetic listener as well as a great communicator and facilitator, and appreciate the different perspectives and strengths that a diversity of people brings to the table.

• You are a leader and team builder who enjoys unlocking the potential of the people around you, enabling them to grow and excel.

• You enjoy building partnerships and networks with individuals and organisations in different sectors and at different scales.

• You are a resourceful and adaptable project manager, who is able to mobilise resources creatively while switching between the many different requirements that this work requires.

• You are a critical and analytical thinker, with experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative data, translating them into tangible, meaningful outcomes for the community.

• You take deep responsibility for outcomes and are able to balance both the day-to-day dynamics and deliverables with the medium and long-term strategic goals and objectives of the organisation.

• You have good verbal and written command of the English Language, as well as the ability to converse fluently in one of the following mother tongues (Mandarin, Malay or Tamil) and/or dialects
  

How We Work

We're a lean and dynamic team with different skillsets ranging from architectural and graphic design to project management.

Right now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we work remotely except for face-to-face meetings once a week. Our working hours are from 10am to 6pm on weekdays. Due to the nature of our work with community groups, occasionally we also work on weekday evenings and weekends. For such arrangements, time-off will be given according to the hours clocked.

We pursue our work independently while working collaboratively with one another. This requires a high degree of initiative, motivation and self-discipline, as well as good communication and trust among members of our team.

We welcome applicants of any nationality, race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation and identity. We would be happy to provide any further support that you may require - please get in touch so that we can work together to provide that.

What We Can Offer

At P!D we do our best to provide fair pay, benefits, care and support structures that enable you to do your best work. You will be paid in the range of SGD 3700 - SGD 4200, depending on your level of experience.

Our leave policy starts from a minimum of 21 days/year pro rata. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. We encourage our staff to pursue their own passion projects  beyond our work at P!D, as long as these do not affect your quality of work during working hours. 

How To Apply

This role is currently open for applications until the right fit is found. We are looking for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.

Please make your application by emailing lets@participateindesign.org with your cover letter and CV. Do include 2 referees and their contact details in your application. We need to understand why/how you might be a great fit for this role (and us for you), so the more info you can provide us upfront, the better. 

Please note that we receive a lot of applications and we have genuinely limited time, so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you can be clear and direct in your application that would be perfect.