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Active Social Architecture (ASA) Design is hiring a product designer to join its team in Rwanda.

Accountable to: ASA Design board of directors

Subordinates: local architect, site engineer, international internships attendees

Job type: short-term full-time contract (three months)

Recruitment type: public call for international recruitment

Starting period: from April 2024

Background

ASA Design is dedicated to delivering high-quality architecture and advancing design excellence in Rwanda, specifically focusing on social, educational, health and civic projects. Our commitment extends to providing hands-on technical and design services for a diverse range of clients, including UN agencies, small and medium NGOs, governmental institutions and private entities, ensuring the enduring sustainability of our projects. With a proven track record of 12 years in Rwanda, we have successfully operated at various levels, from community initiatives to collaborations with governmental and institutional bodies since our inception in 2012.

ASA places significant emphasis on applied research as an integral part of our practice. We actively explore and test technologies, processes and materials, aiming to define innovative, context-specific solutions and contribute to the development of new architectural languages within the East-African built environment.

Objectives

This is a full-time, short-term position open to national or international designers at ASA Design. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in conducting field research within Rwanda’s rural communities and cooperatives, with a specific focus on designing and prototyping furniture elements for an ongoing ASA architecture project.

The position involves close collaboration with local cooperatives, small-scale production entities, individual artisans, NGOs, communities and the private sector. The goal is to develop, coordinate and implement furniture prototypes using locally sourced materials and low-tech solutions.

ASA emphasises a strong commitment to social values in its design approach, making alignment with these values a key requirement for this role.

We are particularly interested in applicants with a background in product design, extensive experience collaborating with architecture firms, proficiency in working with timber, metal and natural fibres, exposure to product design in developing economies and substantial self-management skills, including a background in site supervision, hands-on research and prototyping. The ideal candidate should be passionate about their work, demonstrate outstanding self-organisational ability and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work within fixed deadlines.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• conduct hands-on and field research
• connect with local cooperatives, small-scale production entities, single artisans and small NGOs
• develop contextualised furniture designs and oversee the production of prototypes
• support local communities in developing and improving production skills, specifically focusing on woodwork
• coordinate and actively participate in teamwork with other ASA members
• develop technical design drawings for use by ASA and cooperatives in the production process
• regularly report to top management
• supervise the production of prototypes in accordance with strict deadlines
• maintain a positive and proactive relationship with the local community, cooperatives, ASA’s stakeholders, ASA team and clients
• work with ethics and sustainability in mind, favouring the use of local materials (wood, metal, natural fibres, stone, clay, etc), conducting research and innovation, and ensuring product quality
• coordinate potential workshops with the local community, local cooperatives and single artisans, fostering collaboration and skill development

Required qualifications

Education

• master’s degree in product design or a closely related field

Work experience

• minimum five years of working experience, with a preference for at least three years in a similar context
• successful delivery of similar projects will be a prerequisite
• prior experience in furniture prototyping is a prerequisite

Languages

• fluency in both oral and written English

Required criteria:

• proven skills in self-management, innovation and timely delivery are prerequisites
• thorough knowledge of furniture design practice, with an emphasis on design, prototyping, woodwork and research, is required
• ability to work in a complex environment and willingness to travel within remote areas of the country
• availability to relocate to Rwanda for a period of three months

Other skills:

• knowledge of Rwandan social-economic and cultural context built on previous professional experiences in the country is valued
• knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda is appreciated

What we can offer:

• competitive compensation package commensurate with the position and responsibilities
• opportunity for international recognition
• collaborative and dynamic work environment within a diverse and experienced team
• professional growth and development opportunities
• supportive and inclusive organisational culture fostering creativity and innovation
• potential for continued engagement on future ASA projects or initiatives
• opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local communities through design and innovation

How to apply

Submit the following documents via the apply for job button below before 23 February 2024,

• CV
• portfolio with selected works
• motivation letter addressing the required qualifications criteria in the ToR

The attachments must be in PDF format and their overall size must be less than 8 MB.

The application will be evaluated and, if accepted, the candidate will be invited for a Zoom call to discuss in detail the position and the involvement in ASA.

www.activesocialarchitecture.com

• Applications have closed.