Careers at HCD
Help build a better world, by design.
We're bringing human-centred design into classrooms, campuses and public services across the UAE and the GCC. We need people who teach it, run it, study it and take it further: future careers for the UAE's knowledge economy.
Why join
Work that changes how people learn.
Since 2011, HCD Institute has worked with schools, colleges, companies and governments, incubated at DIC Hub, IIT Hyderabad, India. The next step is bigger: a design lab in every school, and design thinking in every government entity. That takes people on the ground.
01 · UAE & GCC
Educators
Teach design thinking to students, teachers, officers and leaders.
For educators02 · Students
Interns
Learn design and education by doing the real work with us.
For interns03 · States & cities
Programme managers
Own HCD's programmes in your region, from first call to graduation day.
For programme managers04 · Worldwide
Partners
Bring HCD to your country, your institution or your community.
For partners01 · Educators
Teach it like you've done it.
Across the UAE and the GCC
Lead the change in classrooms, campuses and organisations.
You'll run HCD Labs in schools, immersions at IIT Hyderabad, India, faculty training, and workshops for government entities and companies, across the UAE and the GCC.
- Facilitate hands-on design thinking with students from Grade 5 to graduate level
- Train teachers through the Faculty Training Programme
- Run workshops for public-sector teams and leadership groups
- Help shape our curriculum, books and toolkits
- You bringExperience teaching, facilitating or practising design, architecture, education or a related field. A design degree helps but isn't required.
- You're good atHolding a room, asking better questions, and turning ideas into things people can test.
- LanguagesEnglish, plus Arabic or another language you teach in, is a strong advantage.
02 · Interns
Study design and education by doing it.
For undergraduate and postgraduate students
Real briefs. Real classrooms. Real people.
Work alongside our team and DIC Hub researchers on live programmes: research in schools, curriculum design, workshop materials, and the stories that come out of them.
- Design research with students, teachers and communities
- Curriculum, learning and workshop design
- Visual and communication design for programmes and books
- Programme operations at immersions and events
- Who it's forStudents of design, architecture, education, psychology, the social sciences or engineering.
- How longUsually 8 to 24 weeks, on campus or hybrid. Tell us what fits your course.
- Going furtherGraduates can apply for a 6–12 month graduate fellowship after the internship.
03 · Programme managers
Run the show in your emirate or city.
One person per emirate or city
Own HCD's programmes where you live.
You'll be HCD Institute in your region: building relationships with schools, colleges and government, and making sure every programme runs well, from the first meeting to the final showcase.
- Open conversations with schools, colleges and departments
- Plan and run HCD Labs, immersions and teacher training locally
- Build a team of local educators and partners
- Report on outcomes, and tell the stories of the people taking part
- You bringExperience in education, programme management, the public sector or partnerships, and a network in your region.
- You're good atGetting things done with many people, keeping promises, and turning a first meeting into a lasting relationship.
- WhereAny emirate, and cities across the GCC.
04 · Partners worldwide
Take HCD to your city and your community.
Human-centred design started with people. It should belong to everyone. If you want to bring it to your country, your institution or your community, let's build it together.
Schools & universities
Run HCD programmes
Bring our labs, immersions and teacher training to your students.
Governments
Design public services
Train officers and redesign services with the people who use them.
Companies & foundations
Fund and host
Back HCD Labs in communities, or co-host an immersion or summit.
Communities & NGOs
Start locally
Take design thinking to the people you already serve.
How it works
From application to first day.
01
Apply
One short form. A link to your CV or LinkedIn is enough.
02
Talk
A conversation with our team about what you'd like to do, and where.
03
Try
A small piece of real work together: a session, a plan or a short brief.
04
Begin
We agree the role, the terms and the first project, and you start.
Apply
One form. Four ways in.
Pick your track and tell us a little about yourself. A link to your CV or LinkedIn is enough; no cover letters.
- Read by a personEvery application, start to finish.
- A reply in two weeksIf there's a fit, we'll set up a conversation.
- Rather write?uae@hcd.institute
Questions
Before you apply.
Do I need a design degree?
Where is the work based?
Can I apply for more than one track?
What are the terms?
I represent an organisation abroad. Is this the right place?
Careers at HCD