About the Role
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for an Associate Designer to join Airbel, our innovation lab, working across francophone West and Central Africa. In this role, you will be our eyes and hands in the field, working alongside crisis-affected communities and frontline workers to design dignified, effective humanitarian services and solutions.
Key Responsibilities- Conduct immersive field research including interviews, observation, and participatory methods while maintaining strict ethics in vulnerable contexts.
- Turn qualitative insights into tangible prototypes, testing them early and iterating based on real user feedback.
- Partner closely with country program teams, technical leads, and local staff to build trust and ensure culturally relevant design solutions.
- Synthesize findings into clear notes, visual assets, and journey maps that are easily understood and utilized by the broader team.
- Adapt quickly to changing humanitarian environments, maintaining humility and deep curiosity about human behavior.
- Demonstrated experience in qualitative research, ethnography, UX research, or participatory design.
- Proven ability to build and test rough prototypes, adapting concepts based on real-world learnings.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to spend extended periods on-site in field locations.
- Bilingual proficiency in working French and English to effectively conduct research and collaborate across the continent.
- Prior experience in humanitarian, health, or community development settings is an advantage.
The IRC offers a competitive compensation package, opportunities for professional growth within a globally recognized humanitarian organization, and the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of crisis-affected populations.