Norsk Form - The Foundation for Design and Architecture in Norway, is looking for a dedicated Industrial Designer for a 19 month project in Kampala, Uganda with Design without Borders (DwB).
Design without Borders
Design without Borders is a program that places designers in the heart of development issues and organisations, applying user centered design processes, creative skills and product knowhow to make real changes in peoples lives.
The project
The project we are recruiting for is part of an ongoing collaboration between DwB and the United Nations Children´s Fund (UNICEF) in Uganda to develop a Rugged, Solar Powered Computer and digital content database. The designer will be involved in improving the education and future prospects for youth and children in rural Uganda through access to digital information on a variety of subjects. The project aims to reach national scale (1500 units) within 4 years and be deployed internationally by UNICEF within 5 years.
Job description
Over the last 16 months, DwB and UNICEF have developed a working prototype of a freestanding and self-sufficient solar computer that is being field tested in rural villages. The project will now use experiences from the field trials, to continue development and improve performance based on user input and local production capabilities. The designer’s main task is to ensure that the final product is user-friendly and easy to manufacture, operate and maintain as a mass produced product.
The designer will collaborate closely with a DwB interaction designer who is working in a parallel project on content and user interface for the product, and with an international team of experts at UNICEF to develop effective solutions that address the needs of UNICEF´s target group (disadvantaged women and children).
- The designer must apply user oriented and participatory design processes, design, build and test tangible prototypes and document and communicate the process and the results.
- The designer is responsible for adapting and implementing the design process from research to project delivery.
- The designer will also be involved in teaching activities at Makerere University in Kampala.
The designer is part of DwB’s core design team in Uganda, consisting of four highly skilled designers in the fields of interaction, service and industrial design. The designers represent DwB and are important ambassadors in bringing the design profession to the attention of international development organizations and to Africa in general.
- Place of emplyment: Unicef HQ in Kampala, Uganda.
- Dates of employment: 19 months, 5th of November 2012 – 31st of May 2014.
- The last month of employment is to be conducted in Oslo, Norway.
Personal qualifications
The designer must be confident and experienced with design work and production detailing, and able to work within and organization with a different culture.
Living and working in a developing African country comes with its own set of rewards and challenges.
The designer must be mentally robust and able to handle a demanding job in a challenging and alien context, and at the same time understand and accept the harsh realities of a developing country.
The designer must be pro-active and solution oriented and at the same time collaborative and able to include, inspire and motivate people and bring out the best in the people you work with.
Take initiative and have the ability to create momentum.
The designer must be pragmatic and professionally flexible, able to revise, modify or adapt your ideas, methods and procedures to changing conditions.
The designer must be culturally and socially aware and sensitive and able to negotiate the complex social relationships, environments and politics in a development setting.
Requirements
- Bachelor degree or higher in Industrial design.
- Two years professional experience.
- English language skills.
- Visual communication skills.
Terms
- Design without Borders is part of the FK Norway professional exchange program.
- The terms of employment are regulated by FK Norway rates for Uganda.
- Housing, insurance and travel expences are covered.
For more information, please see Design without borders website or contact:
Leif Verdu-Isachsen, Head of Design
Leif@norskform.no
Phone: (+47) 90 91 99 21
Kristoffer Leivestad Olsen, Project Manager
Kristoffer@norskform.no
Phone: (+47) 23 29 26 46
Please send Applications before 20th of august.
Stiftelsen Norsk Form skal øke bevissthet og kunnskap om arkitektur og design i et bredt samfunnsmessig perspektiv. Det gjør vi gjennom prosjekter, undervisning, utstillinger og arrangementer. Norsk Form har stor påvirkningskraft og stort ansvar innen feltet design, arkitektur og byutvikling. Vi er en unik, tverrfaglig organisasjon som holder til i DogA Norsk Design- og Arkitektursenter, sentralt i Oslo.