ROLE DESCRIPTION
Who are we?
ThinkPlace is a global strategic design consultancy, working with leaders to create new and better futures – vibrant communities, strong economies, sustainable environments and trusted institutions. As signatories of the UN Global Compact, we believe in a positive future world that balances the needs of the collective and those of the individual.
ThinkPlace Kenya is a dynamic, diverse team of designers from eight different countries speaking over 15 languages. We draw on a broad range of methodologies including human-centred design (HCD) and design thinking, behavioural insights and social psychology, and linguistic anthropology and ethnography to deeply understand human behaviour. We do this to ensure our design solutions are sure to meet local needs and are contextually appropriate while being highly scalable.
As the scale of our projects grows, we are looking to recruit a full-time Senior Strategic Designer in our Nairobi studio. This position requires you to be a natural problem-solver and creative thinker. As a Senior Strategic Designer, you would be asked to lead small and large field teams (3-10 people), skillfully write proposals, deliver high-quality work on time and on budget, mentor and coach others in project management.
Senior Strategic Designers must possess strong writing skills, visualisation skills, and an eagerness to work in collaborative, team-based environments. Senior Strategic Designers must also possess experience conducting user research, consulting, facilitating workshops, and prototyping and testing design interventions.
Who are we looking for?
You are an inspired creator, very organized, a self-starter with experience in directing and managing both small and large teams and/or projects. You are a soft leader who is energized by fast paced, creative work.
Experience in design thinking and HCD or other innovation methodologies is desirable.
English fluency is required. Experience working in different African countries and a Kenyan resident is an advantage.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
o Strong written and spoken fluency in English.
o Strong proposal writing skills.
o Demonstrated ability to think critically.
o 4+ years’ professional experience in design and social innovation, or equivalent as assessed by ThinkPlace. Experience in fields such as design, behavioural psychology, branding, and marketing are highly regarded.
o Experience in applying creative problem-solving principles to a variety of fields, including government, development, public health, and other fields.
o Have a proficient understanding of design thinking and innovation, and able to help clients to define new direction and navigate their design challenges
o Have strong skills in design and other qualitative research methodologies.
o Be excited by the prospect of traveling throughout Africa, for 40%-60% time.
What will you be doing?
Senior Strategic Designers are expected to be proficient in design thinking skills and confident in their consulting abilities to manage clients and lead both small and large teams.
As a Senior Strategic Designer, you will be leading teams during field work and likely working in cross resource management with one or several Project Leads, locally and internationally.
As a Senior Strategic Designer, you will be expected to:
o
Work directly with clients
to define a clear direction and address core problems in their organisations and teams, including solving intractable organisational issues and building design capability.
o
Design behaviour change interventions
that use our deep understanding of what drives people to action to create interventions that result in real changed behaviour.
o
Undertake and lead field work
, often in rural areas across Africa. Field work can include design research, designing and prototyping new products/services, supporting strategic design activities
o
Redesign business models
, processes, capabilities and structures that create value for our clients.
o
Contribute to the culture and growth
of the Studio, including the winning of new work, development of methodology, and improvement to our own processes and practices.
Senior Strategic designers are expected to be:
• Able to Execute business strategy and decisions
• Motivated by a sense of urgency and can take the initiative to get things done
• Able to turn abstract ideas into insightful and meaningful products or services
• Eager to collaborate with clients and other designers
• Confident, and can credibly work with clients
• Able and excited by the prospect of field work
• Inquisitive, keen to learn and have a positive attitude.
Other Details
This will be a full-time role based here in Nairobi office. Ability to work in Kenya is desirable. We expect the role to begin no later than Jan 5, 2021.
I
nterested?
If you are interested in being considered for the Senior Strategic role at ThinkPlace Kenya, please send your CV to our Operations Manager and she will be in touch within 48 hours of receiving it.
Deadline to submit your CV for this position is
November 30, 2020.
As a Senior Strategic Designer, you would be asked to lead small and large field teams (3-10 people), skillfully write proposals, deliver high-quality work on time and on budget, mentor and coach others in project management.
