Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) with a mission to enhance inclusive and sustainable growth and development in developing countries, especially least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, through improving the international competitiveness of MSMEs. To support people in vulnerable and forced displacement contexts, ITC uses a unique market-led approach that promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The approach deploys innovative ways to harness the productive potential of refugees and local communities in the displacement contexts to enhance shared growth through promoting the development of commercially valuable skills and supporting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating value and employment in the host countries through increased national, regional and international business. In the context of this work, ITC partners with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to implement a project titled “Promoting sustainable socio-economic development and creating market-based livelihood opportunities for refugees and host communities” in Kenya. The goal of this project is to enhance the employability and competitiveness of social MSMEs in refugee settings and host communities in Turkana County. It specifically aims to improve the livelihood and self-reliance of refugees and host communities in the targeted region through technical skills development in selected value chains; enhance social entrepreneurship and business development capacities of project beneficiaries as well as strengthen institutional capacity to promote inclusive economic opportunities for refugees and host communities. As part of this project, ITC aims to strengthen institutional and digital ecosystems in Turkana County to link refugees and host entrepreneurs to wider national and regional markets through an inclusive, user-friendly and data-rich information platform. To support this activity, ITC seeks to recruit a Technical Design Consultant. The consultant will primarily be responsible for designing an inclusive, user-centered platform and developing capacity of key platform users and administrators.

Responsibilities or duties

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the direct guidance of the consultancy firm responsible for the overall delivery of the platform. In addition, the consultant will collaborate closely with the ITC team in Kenya working on the project.

The Consultant will:

• Provide technical support in reviewing the existing platforms and conducting user need assessment to understand the user data, analytics, gap, barriers and how to reinvigorate and make existing platform responsive to the needs of local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, freelancers and investors.
• Facilitate participatory design sprints to co-create the platform with relevant stakeholders in Turkana, focusing on user journeys, content structure, and improvements to the existing platforms.
• Develop a simplified user manual to guide the platform use for diverse users and administrators during and after the project period.
• Conduct Trainer of Trainees (ToT) sessions for selected platform administrators to build their technical and operational capacity.
• Provide coaching and technical backstopping support to platform administrators for at least 2 months after the roll-out of the system.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Master’s degree or equivalent in Software development, Human-Computer Interaction and Design or relevant field.

Experience needed

At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in similar assignments, with proven expertise in Human-Centered Design (HCD), particularly in facilitating participatory design and co-creation sessions for digital platforms. Experience in developing simplified training materials, user-friendly documentation and training facilitation. Knowledge of the Market System Development (MSD) approach, market-based solutions for livelihood development, and private engagements relating to enterprise development, particularly in displacement contexts.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

• Provide technical support in reviewing the existing platforms and conducting user need assessment to understand the user data, analytics, gap, barriers and how to reinvigorate and make existing platform responsive to the needs of local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, freelancers and investors.
• Facilitate participatory design sprints to co-create the platform with relevant stakeholders in Turkana, focusing on user journeys, content structure, and improvements to the existing platforms.
• Develop a simplified user manual to guide the platform use for diverse users and administrators during and after the project period.
• Conduct Trainer of Trainees (ToT) sessions for selected platform administrators to build their technical and operational capacity.
• Provide coaching and technical backstopping support to platform administrators for at least 2 months after the roll-out of the system.

• Human-Centered Design (HCD)
• Participatory design and co-creation sessions for digital platforms
• Developing simplified training materials
• User-friendly documentation
• Training facilitation
• Market System Development (MSD) approach
• Market-based solutions for livelihood development
• Private engagements relating to enterprise development

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Software development, Human-Computer Interaction and Design or relevant field.