Inclusive Design – Research Officer At Sightsavers

Title: Inclusive Design Research Officer

Location: Benin, Senegal, Guinea Bissau or Mali

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract

Salary: local terms and conditions apply

About the role

You will support the inclusive design manager and design project manager with your research, administrative, and communication skills. Your efforts will help deliver design and communication solutions for colleagues working in social behaviour change (SBC) and programme delivery in Africa and Asia. You will gather and analyse information to improve existing products and services and influence new initiatives for Sightsavers’ health and inclusion programmes.

Responsibilities

• Design Research: Conduct research on local cultural contexts, using resources like the Sightsavers image and design libraries, and validate findings with local teams.
• Desk Reviews: Review existing interventions and resources, gathering performance data and liaising with programme teams and colleagues.
• User Testing: Organise user testing sessions, plan and schedule activities, and create summary reports of feedback.
• Media Research: Research local media penetration to understand the landscape for effective communication with target audiences.
• Meeting Administration: Support meeting administration by taking notes and capturing outcomes to inform design research.
• Design Training: Assist in planning and coordinating inclusive design training sessions, preparing materials, and providing support.
• Supplier Mapping: Identify local production suppliers and creative agencies, and research sources for copywriting and translation of project materials.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrable professional experience in design research, working with communications, service, or product designers.
• Excellent organisational and research skills.
• Ability to own your sphere of work and adopt a flexible, collaborative approach.
• Demonstrable sensitivity working cross-culturally and with different demographic groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: able to listen carefully, ask the right questions at the right time, and empathise and understand.
• Comfortable working to deadlines on multiple projects.
• A belief in the power of design and international development to make the world a better place.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Desirable Skills:

• Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili, or Yoruba.
• Understanding of inclusive design principles and accessibility standards.
• Lived or cultural experience of any of our programme countries.

Please complete the application and submit your CV in English. Applications not in English may not be reviewed.