UX Designer at Digital Disruptions

Digital Disruptions, a US-based boutique consulting firm, provides advisory services in strategy and product design and development focused on the digital financial services (DFS) and mobile payments sector. Since 2014, they have been using best-practice innovation methodologies to come up with concrete and creative solutions, and focus on going from design to implementation within rapid timeframes.  

Their clients include top-tier public sector and private sector clients (banks, payment providers, mobile operators, start-ups) alike, and they’ve worked all over Africa and Asia. Some recent projects include:

• Rethinking the ‘refugee camp of the future’ using digital technologies for a Fortune 500 company to help them engage with governments around the world;
• Crafting the business model for a Silicon Valley-backed fintech start-up to expand from their base in East Africa;
• Providing in-house training on Design Thinking and Lean Start-Up to the financial services industry in Southern Africa;
• Conducting a product and UX sprint for a leading fintech company’s first smartphone app in India;
• Developing an international mobile money remittance solution for a bank and mobile operator in Asia-Pacific;
• Authoring a thought-leadership report on expanding merchant payments for the World Economic Forum.

About the role:

They’re seeking a dynamic UX Designer who can work on the development of digital products from research to design with top-tier clients, and also contribute to the firm’s growth in Africa. They’re a fast-paced, lean, and fun organization looking to re-think – and re-do – the way consulting work is done in emerging markets. 

The role can be near-full time (~75%, leading to 100% full-time) or full-time from the start – they can be flexible for the right person.

Responsibilities:

The UX Manager will primarily work on consulting engagements in Africa, and occasionally in other emerging markets, mainly in Asia, and work directly with their private and public sector clients.

The role includes both research (mainly qualitative, such as ethnography, in-depth interviews, concept testing) and design (visual, graphic, interaction) skills. Depending on the project, you’ll work as part of a broader team of specialists in product, marketing, agile project management, software development, and data analysis.

On the research side, typical activities include developing user guides and doing user interviews, conducting ethnography, usability testing, and crafting user personas and journey maps. Design side activities involve developing wireframes, developing information architecture, UI flows and screens, and visual prototypes, both for digital and analog initiatives.

Professional Qualifications for this role:

• Four or more years of UX design experience, either at an agency or in industry. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience designing complex solutions for complete digital environments.
• Previous focus on digital, e-commerce, and/or mobile. (Financial services or payments sector experience is a bonus, but not imperative).
• Expertise in standard UX software such as Sketch, Axure, InVision, InDesign, Illustrator, UXPin, Balsamiq, and the like is a must. Basic HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript skills are a plus.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate design processes, ideas, and solutions to teams and clients.
• Experience or exposure to developing countries. Multiple markets in Africa a plus.  
• Full fluency in English. Proficiency in French, Portuguese and/or Swahili a plus.
• Educational background in design, psychology, anthropology, computer science, communication or related degrees preferred.

Personal Characteristics for this role:

• Self-starter: Proactive approach to managing multiple tasks, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, strong bias towards action.
• Problem-solving orientation: Proactive and independent; a thinker and especially a doer.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Travel: Willingness to travel for 1-2 week engagements per month within Africa and Asia (~25% travel).
• Purpose: Strong passion around social impact, digital technologies, and solving client problems