User Research Lead at YLabs

YLabs 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 abortion information, products, and services. In design research, you will use qualitative, quantitative, and co-design methods to explore user motivations, experiences, needs, and opportunities for innovation 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 possibility to extend the contract and/or transition to a full-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 per diem expenses will be covered.

NOTE: 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.

YOU WILL:

• Read through all project materials provided before fieldwork

• Led training of the team of field researchers

• Support with the production and preparation of prototype materials before fieldwork

• 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 handoff 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)