Impact Design Lead at Akvo

Job Description

You will design projects and services for Akvo’s partners and clients that will help them contribute to maximum impact. One day you will be providing advice on how to create impact strategies or theories of change, another you will support the data or tech team by developing and facilitating workshops on problem definitions, ideation and/or user requirements.

You are the first point of contact for any design related services, both internal and external. As a critical thinker, you will contribute to professionalising design services and you will be an advocate for integrating design principles in every project. You are a thought leader, and express ideas that demonstrate you (and Akvo) have expertise in this field. You contribute to building a vision on how to approach data-driven solutions. You will be instrumental, as design services are often the entry point.

Other Akvo staff can consult you for advice on their partners’ journeys. You work closely together with (senior) experts, the technical solution team, and project and programme managers within Akvo. You will work closely with and report to the Global BD  Lead.

The position is initially for one year, with the intention of building a long-lasting working relationship. The position is open to applicants of all nationalities. Your station of duty will preferably be in one of Akvo’s hubs in  Amsterdam or Nairobi.

Requirements and competencies

Coordinate and Deliver  design services 

• Lead conversations on design of actionable insight systems in collaboration with business development teams 
• Lead the development and delivery of design services in collaboration with the data and tech team
• Facilitating  the design phase of new projects, programs, and partnerships
• Further develop, coordinate and support Akvo’s approach to Design and Data
• Drive Akvo consultancy engagements in impact strategy, identifying data needs, and introducing innovative ways of monitoring

Technical sector and theme advice / consultancy

• Provide support to colleagues and Akvo partners with regards to challenges and solutions in the agricultural / water/climate sector
• Identify partners’ data needs and provide advice
• Guide and assist partners with the implementation of design and data services

 Client Engagement 

• Understand client missions, needs and challenges and the processes, people and data that support them.
• Creating a vision together with the customer, understanding their requirements, needs and expectations and based on that recommend an approach or roadmap.
• Drive proposals and provide support in cultivating new partnerships with a focus on design and data services in the agricultural, water or climate sectors

Key competencies and skills

• A MSc degree in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, International Development studies, Development Economics or related relevant field
• 5+ years of relevant work experience with a focus on project or service design ; e.g. Experience with designing monitoring systems, services,  impact strategies
• Network and experience in the international development sector (agriculture, water or climate sector) is a plus
• Work experience in Africa, Asia or South America is an advantage