We seek a Human Centered Design (HCD) Specialist to use HCD methodologies to improve One Acre Fund’s program design, product offerings, marketing and extension.  You will directly report to the Scale Innovations Lead and collaborate across multiple teams to integrate HCD into program design with a particular emphasis on farmer training/extension, and in the longer-term tech solutions enabling farmers and field agents to access more tailored recommendations and guidance.

You will create research methodologies to explore how we can better meet farmer needs, and support in-country teams to implement the research. You will also lead the analysis and synthesis of this data to develop actionable recommendations for improved product catalogs, marketing, SBCC and extension.

Responsibilities

• Manage stakeholder coordination and prioritization of HCD project pipeline
• Collaborate with the Global HCD Lead to design research tools
  • These will draw from HCD, participatory design and systems thinking approaches, and using a range of methodologies including interviews, focus groups and design workshops.
  • Ensure tools are adapted to local language and cultural sensitivities
  • Lead  research pilots and team training them and train team on their use.
• Lead execution of HCD projects, including:
• Directly leading research engagements with farmers yourself (e.g. conducting interviews or FGDs)
• Training your team to effectively use research tools to
  • Elicit insights on farmer priorities, barriers, needs and aspirations
  • Prototype, co-design and validate new products and communications e.g. digital or paper-based decision-support tools, marketing messages, training content
• Providing guidance and data quality assurance support and controls as research projects are implemented.
• Manage all logistical aspects of HCD projects e.g. participant recruitment (+ incentives), transport, venues, fieldwork calendaring, coordination with colleagues in operational teams
• Execution of research and quality control checks following agreed-upon data collection protocols
• Ensure high quality transcription and translation of field data
• Elicit and apply insights from HCD research inform program strategy and product and service design
  • You will analyze, synthesize and interpret insights emerging from the research.
  • You will translate these insights into actionable recommendations for program design, product / service design, marketing, training and SBCC
  • As those recommendations are implemented, you will
    • Collaborate with colleagues to ensure that emerging product/service designs are genuinely responsive to the insights generated through HCD research
    • Lead further research to ensure farmer and field team needs are met by new designs e.g. through co-design processes and user testing
  • Based on the existing internal and external evidence and data, you will make recommendations on additional learning and studies needed across the organization
• Manage HCD team and their professional development

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, ethnography, psychology, social sciences or any other relevant field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience using qualitative research approaches, including focus group facilitation, interview-based approaches, and design workshop approaches.
• Experience living or working in rural areas
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda