Charities and Social Services

This sector includes charites and other organisatons that run on a not-for-proft basis, ranging from very small and locally-based bodies to large natonal and internatonal enttes.

Singapore’s currently home to around 140 internatonal not-for-proft organisations. These include intergovernmental organisatons (IGOs), non-governmental organisatons (NGOs) with a social, humanitarian or environmental focus, philanthropic foundatons, think tanks and corporate sustainability-related organisatons.

On a smaller scale, there are also numerous local voluntary welfare organisatons in Singapore championing everything from support for AIDS patents to educaton grants and animal rights.

Social services, on the other hand, tends to take place in the public sector – hospitals, special educaton schools and welfare centres – although the role of private and voluntary organisatons are just as important.

You’ll need…

• Passion • To be highly empathetc • Technical skills depending on the role • Communicaton skills • Good interpersonal skills • Perseverance Types of jobs

Depending on the area and type of work involved, specialist skills in areas such as healthcare, educaton and constructon may be needed. In more general roles, strong administratve and practcal skills are required. Internatonal travel may be an opton in some instances.

Some main employment categories include: • Service delivery • Fundraising • Policy, research and strategy • Administraton

Job-hunting tips

• Entry requirements vary depending on the type of work involved. However, graduates must always demonstrate that they are commited to the organisaton and can help its cause to grow • A speculatve approach may be fruitul in this sector. Identfy organisatons of interest and contact them directly even if they do not appear to have job openings

Work experience

While paid work experience can be hard to fnd, it’s very easy to get voluntary experience.

Students can also consider looking overseas for such opportunites, if there’s a willingness to travel at this point in tme. Alternatvely, formal research work on social causes and their related areas of interest while stll in school can be taken up.

Deadlines

Applicaton deadlines vary widely across this sector. Organisatons sending volunteers or workers abroad will have clear deadlines to meet, while general fundraising and administratve positons tend to be available year-round.

Did you know?

Five of the world’s top conservaton NGOs – Worldwide Fund for Nature, Conservaton Internatonal, Wildlife Conservation Society, Birdlife Internatonal and Fauna & Flora Internatonal – have their regional headquarters in Singapore.