Result of Service

The following are the key outputs expected from the consultant: Output 1 A comprehensive assessment report on the existing digital platforms in Turkana County detailing key gaps, barriers and actionable recommendations developed and formally submitted. Timeline: Completed within 2 weeks after signing the contract. Output 2 Two design sprint sessions each with at least 20 key stakeholders conducted and platform design blueprint developed and submitted. Timeline: Completed within 1 month of signing the contract. Output 3 A simplified platform user manual developed in English and tailored for diverse users developed. Timeline: Completed within 2 months of signing the contract. Output 4 Two (2) interactive Trainer of Trainees (ToT) sessions successfully conducted with 5 identified platform administrators to build their technical and operational capacities. Timeline: Completed within 2 months of signing the contract. Output 5 At least 4 post roll-out coaching and technical support sessions delivered to platform administrators and report of the same submitted. Timeline: Completed within 3 months of signing the contract.

Work Location

Home-based (Nairobi, Kenya)

Expected duration

3 months from ASAP

Duties and Responsibilities

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. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 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. 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.

Qualifications/special skills

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

• 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.

Languages

Excellent communication and writing skills in English.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS BANK ACCOUNTS.