User Research Lead at YLabs

YLabs is a leading global design and research organization working to improve health and economic opportunity for young people 10–24 years old. Foundedin 2016 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs has worked in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, andCentral America in partnership with youngpeople to design health programming to address keychallenges in sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and mental health. Find out more about our projects here: https://www.ylabsglobal.org/work

Our team of physicians, designers, economists, developers, public health professionals, and educators bring a unique mix of human-centered design,adolescent health, economic and healthoutcome evaluation, behavioral science, and implementation know-how to the global problems facing youth. We have offices in the US and Rwanda, but are currently supporting our teams to work remotely during COVID-19.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: User Research Lead

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Contract

Job Summary

• Labs is seeking an experienced researcher based in Nigeria for an extended engagement to support a sexual and reproductive health project in Nigeria.
• You will train and lead a team of associates to conduct design research and rough prototyping with young women, and informal and formal health workers to explore new approaches towards improving access to safe abortioninformation, products, and services.
• In design research, you will use qualitative, quantitative, andco-design methods to explore user motivations, experiences, needs, and opportunities forinnovation in healthcare delivery.
• During prototyping, you will create and test low-fidelity solutions to support the delivery of accurate and quality sexual and reproductive health information delivered by pharmacists and PPMVs to clients.
• You will also play a key role in training of research staff, the development of data collection tools,quality assurance of qualitative and quantitative data, analysis and reporting.
• This role requires strong writing skills in English and a creative approach to communication of health research. Remote support, collaboration, and supervision will be provided by YLabs’ US and Rwanda offices.
• This is a full-time contract position, with a possibilityto extend the contract and / or transition to afull-time role. We are looking for a contractor who is available full-time between April to November 2021.
• This role includes two periods of field work in Oyo State for 3 weeks at a time. All travel and perdiem expenses will be covered.

You Will

• Read through all project materials provided before field worked training of the team of field researchers.
• Support with the production and preparation of prototype materials before field work Travel to the Oyo State with the project team and local partners.
• Lead the field team during key activities during research and prototyping.
• Participate in synthesis sessions with project team and local in-country partners.
• Support in the creation of the prototyping deliverable.
• Support in the creation of the final solution recommendations and reporting.
• Participate in daily check-ins with the US-based team.
• Participate in virtual and in-person meetings with the partner

You Are

• Currently based in Nigeria or a neighboring country.
• Experienced in the design, execution, and reporting of qualitative research studies, especially with youth, health workers, and/or marginalized populations.
• Experienced in the human-centered design (HCD) process from design research, rough prototyping, and hand off for implementation, preferably on healthcare delivery projects.
• Comfortable building paper prototypes for rapid testing with users.
• A strong writer who is able to translate research findings into actionable ideas and recommendations for a variety of audiences.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing work environment and comfortable with ambiguity.
• Proactive, strategy-minded, and able to make recommendations for how to adapt the design approach based on evidence.
• An excellent collaborator who understands how to work with a diverse, multi-cultural team.
• Able to spend two periods of three weeks conducting fieldwork in Oyo State, Nigeria and potentially do periodic site visits.

You Have

• A minimum of four years experience doing HCD projects or participatory research and design with communities.
• Experience in conducting research on sensitive topics with marginalized populations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-site design research process and oversee a research team of 2-6 people.
• Significant experience with facilitation and teaching; Demonstrated ability to deliver a effective workshop curriculum on qualitative research, rapid prototyping, idea generation, and synthesis.
• Excellent verbal presentation skills; You can easily communicate and envision concepts and ideas to team members and stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Yoruba

Desirable:

• At least one year of experience leading HCD projects and teams.
• Experience working on sexual and reproductive health topics, maternal health, and/or private health sector strengthening.
• Experience designing digital products, either in a research, strategy, or UX/UI role.
• Proficient in visual design tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Resume, brief Cover Letter, and a link of their portfolio to: [email protected]  using “User Research Lead - Nigeria” as the subject of the mail.

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Notes

• This posting will be open from April 23 to May 21, 2020. Once the application period closes, all applications will be reviewed by our Hiring Committee.
• YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; all candidates will be notified of their application status once the hiring process begins.
• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
• This position requires the ability to legally work and regionally travel to/within Oyo State, Nigeria.
• Please note that this role is subject to in-country COVID-19 restrictions and regulation.