THIS IS A 2-YEAR RENEWABLE / CONVERTIBLE CONTRACT ROLE.
The jobholder will be part of a team that oversees and manages the development of the NS-themed gallery (NSG). The NSG aims to be a world-class exhibition that impart audiences with an understanding of Singapore’s immutable vulnerabilities, the importance and significance of NS, and why we ourselves must defend Singapore.
Key project components include (a) large platform display at the NS Square Atrium; (b) NSG content, gallery design and fabrication (c) sponsorship and partnership efforts; (d) public programming, education and events around NSG; (d) branding and comms efforts; and (d) other museum-related planning and operations - e.g. museum gift shop; special exhibitions.
Specific to the jobholder, he/she will work with the NSG development team to drive and ensure project delivery in the following areas: (a) procurement and management of the gallery design and fabrication firm; (b) content research, curatorial and exhibition design of the NSG – including guiding the appointed firm to translate the desired messages and outcomes into immersive and engaging content and exhibits for an effective visitor experience; (c) branding, communications and marketing campaign efforts to profile NSG in the leadup to its opening; (d) Large platform display at the NS Square Atrium – including its installation, design fabrication and narrative messaging; (e) sponsorship and partnership efforts for the NSG; (d) public programming, education and events around/for the NSG – for the purposes of place-making and buzz-generation for the opening of the NSG; (f) develop and operationalise a viable museum shop, inclusive of the retail and merchandise plan and the procurement and management of the firm; and (g) internal and external-to-MINDEF/SAF stakeholder engagement to gather feedback on the gallery; As part of overall project management, the jobholder is expected to manage the overall project timelines; work with the team to clear project fora where required; and front frequent and timely reports to senior management.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct Content Research and Development Efforts
- Chart out the required timelines and plans; and work with content researcher and the research team (inhouse, DCS, interns etc) to flesh out the NSG content narrative and vet the research of the content researcher, and develop the final gallery exhibition content together with the content researcher and other stakeholders (such as the advisory panel, National Museum curators etc).
- Conduct desk, open source, library and archival research as required – where necessary, to work with MSD/KRAD and other internal agencies to access classified documents/material – to produce holistic and detailed Gallery plans on how to incorporate and feature these materials/research.
- Keep abreast of developments in the defence/security landscape, as well as developments and approaches in the field of military history and its storytelling, that could be incorporated into the storyline and gallery presentation.
- Assess the sufficiency of the mapped-out inventory of exhibition assets (artefacts and multimedia) for display in the NSG; work with the relevant agencies/individuals to procure more if needed.
- Liaise and work with relevant internal and external stakeholder – including MINDEF/SAF agencies, WOG agencies/Ministries, and Defence Collective Singapore – on the content research effort, as well as requests for loans or acquisitions of objects needed to support the exhibits.
Conduct Curatorial and Museum Design Efforts
- Manage the procurement of the museum exhibition design vendor; chart project timelines and work with vendor to ensure the timely and successful delivery of the NSG in 2027/28.
- Track, manage and meet timelines and fora clearance requirements for the museum design and other design-related proposals.
- Help conduct and integrate findings from surveys and focus group discussions on the gallery content and visitor experience into the overall gallery planning.
- Keep abreast of exhibition curatorial strategies and approaches of similar museums around the world, as well as digital technology used in enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Project Management for the Tender Contracting and Design and Fabrication phase of the Main Exhibition Gallery
- Work with team to draft, launch and close tender contract for the NSG Design and Fabrication – working with DSTA through all the necessary steps to bring the vendors on board.
- Track project timelines closely; Work closely with stakeholders and vendor, to ensure that the deliverables are on track. This includes liaising with (a) NS Square Project Office to obtain information on larger NS Square development; and (b) museum design firm on the design approaches and desired visitor experience.
- Work with team to bring draft design through the necessary fora in a timely manner, towards a final approval for the vendor to commence construction.
- Review and proofread copywriting for the exhibition content.
- Support Assistant Director (NS Gallery Development) to manage the budget usage, procurement and contract matters related to the vendor/contract.
Provide updates to NS Gallery Task Force and Working Groups
- Support Assistant Director (NS Gallery Development) to provide regular updates, where relevant and required, to MINDEF/SAF management and other inter-agency platforms, including raising issues of concerns and recommending the course of actions.
- Draft the minutes for key NSG fora.
Job Requirements
- Educational Requirements: A good honors or postgraduate degree in Arts or Social Sciences, with a keen interest in Singapore’s social and military history.
- Preferably have 3-5 years of relevant work experience in content research and curatorial, as well as prior museum experience (preferably in curatorial and/or exhibition making areas).
- Strong command of both spoken and written English. The jobholder should also preferably be proficient in one other vernacular language.
- Excellent communication, organisational and project management skills. Prior experience in project management in related areas is also an advantage.
- Mature and possess excellent interpersonal skills, patience and a pleasant disposition.
- Meticulous and detail oriented.
- Strong problem-solving perspective on issues, and help the team move towards viable solutions in a timely manner.
- Comfortable with multi-tasking and tracking and driving multiple workstreams concurrently.
- Able to work collaboratively with different partners.