Job Description

UX Researcher (AI & Human-Centered Design) – Kenya

We are seeking to hire a UX Researcher who will support a research initiative focused on reimagining how AI systems are designed for everyday, collaborative use across Africa. The role will contribute to community-partnered field research, co-design, usability testing, and prototyping activities aimed at understanding how AI can be effectively integrated into real-world practices, particularly within small businesses and community-based settings. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, designers, and engineers, the successful candidate will help translate user insights into innovative interaction models, design frameworks, and product recommendations. This is a 9-month contract position based in Nairobi, Kenya, with full-time onsite engagement. The ideal candidate will have a background in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, User Experience Research, or a related field, with experience conducting qualitative research and applying human-centered design methodologies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and conduct qualitative user research activities including ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries, interviews, focus groups, and observational research.
• Participate in community-based fieldwork to understand user behaviors, needs, challenges, and opportunities across diverse Kenyan contexts.
• Conduct remote and in-person usability testing of prototypes, products, and concepts, documenting findings and recommendations.
• Analyze qualitative research data and synthesize findings into actionable insights for product and design teams.
• Support quantitative research and data analysis activities where applicable.
• Plan and facilitate co-design, participatory design, and ideation workshops with users and community stakeholders.
• Translate research findings into design opportunities, user requirements, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop user journeys, service blueprints, concept maps, workflows, and interaction models.
• Create wireframes, low-fidelity prototypes, diagrams, and other design artifacts to communicate ideas and concepts.
• Collaborate closely with researchers, designers, engineers, and cross-functional teams throughout the research and design process.
• Present research findings, insights, and recommendations through reports, presentations, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Contribute to research initiatives exploring the design and application of Generative AI technologies within African contexts.
• Support the development of culturally relevant, inclusive, and accessible AI-driven user experiences.
• Ensure research activities are conducted ethically and in accordance with organizational and research best practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience Design, Design, Psychology, Anthropology, Social Sciences, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.
• Experience conducting qualitative research using methods such as interviews, ethnographic studies, contextual inquiry, usability testing, and participatory design.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into design artifacts, concepts, user journeys, workflows, wireframes, and recommendations.
• Experience facilitating workshops, co-design sessions, stakeholder engagements, and user research activities.
• Strong understanding of human-centered design principles and research-driven product development.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Fluency in both English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within project timelines.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and engaging diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating UX research, design thinking, creative problem-solving, and human-centered product development.
• Experience working on AI, digital innovation, emerging technologies, community-centered design, or social impact projects will be an added advantage.
• Exposure to quantitative research methods and data analysis is desirable.

Tagged as: Hybrid