With a century-long history that has hosted 19 Nobel Laureates, Carnegie Mellon University is renowned as one of the worlds leading engineering institutions. We have played critical roles on breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, driverless cars and WiFi.Carnegie Mellon University recently extended its global reach into Africa with its Center of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology. Focused on one of the fastest growing economic regions of the world, the Center of Excellence is creating a new generation of graduates able to take advantage of Africa’s unique opportunities.Based in Rwanda, the Center of Excellence benefits from the country’s bold ICT strategy and our own culture of innovation to provide a platform for students to become technology thought leaders in emerging markets. Masters’ degrees from Carnegie Mellon University are awarded in two comprehensive programmes, each taught by globally renowned faculty to the same rigorous standards as the main Pittsburgh campus.The Master of Science in Information Technology provides students with critical skills, focusing on practical applications in areas such as cyber security, mobile applications, wireless networking and strategic business planning. In internships and practicums, students get the opportunity to develop real-world ICT solutions with international companies like IBM, Microsoft and Visa.The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering has a more technically focused curriculum, equipping students with skills in energy systems, mobile computing and telecommunications. Our programs provide a unique opportunity for students to gain a balanced international perspective with an option to spend semesters at Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley campuses.Carnegie Mellon’s academic programs extend across countries and continents. They are rooted in an academic philosophy that develops our students into the responsible global leaders.Now in Africa, Carnegie Mellon is excited to be pioneering a culture of inspiring innovations that change the world.

Website: http://www.cmu.edu/rwanda

Job title

UXDesigner–EdTechProject

Reportsto

CMUAfricaProjectManager.

StartDate

ASAP

Location

Kigali,Rwanda

About the Job

CMU-Africa seeks a passionate and experienced UX Designer to join the Learning science training and research with Tech Hubs (EdTech). The EdTech Project is a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to enhance educational technology products for Africa by training EdTech entrepreneurs and their staff in learning sciences and learning experience design. The UX designer will be responsible for designing the project website and integrating it with associated online courseware refined for the African educational context. Additionally, this person will support the EdTech Hubs and Entrepreneur Fellows with product design reviews and usability consulting to ensure high-quality learner experiences and meaningful outcomes are achieved. This role will report to the CMU Africa Project Manager.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Since its founding in 1900, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has been a birthplace of innovation. Ranked #1 in Computer Science and #4 in Engineering by U.S. News & World Report, CMU is dedicated to producing creative and technically strong engineers who have a meaningful impact on their communities and accelerate positive technological change in the world. In 2011, CMU extended its global footprint into Africa as the Regional Center of Excellence for ICT based in Rwanda and the anchor tenant of Kigali Innovation City. In a region booming with opportunities, CMU is the only U.S.-based research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa.

About the EdTech Project

With the objective of enabling demand-driven tech innovations that close the gap in access, quality, and relevant learning for the most underserved secondary education students on the African continent. Mastercard Foundation is collaborating with a set of Tech Hubs who will grow the innovation ecosystem by hosting and supporting educational technology entrepreneurs from across the continent. In this program, there is a unique and timely opportunity for world-renowned learning science faculty at Carnegie Mellon University to help to increase the quality and relevance of those educational technology innovations by supporting the Tech Hubs and their EdTech entrepreneurs fellows in the skills and knowledge of the science behind learning, through a set of coordinated training and mentoring activities. The core activities include:

  • Deep dives: in-person workshops located at the
  • Online certificate program in the learning sciences
  • Online mentoring and office hours by CMU faculty
  • Novel research and knowledge creation together with Hub staff and entrepreneurs

At least 12 Tech hubs will enroll 12 ed tech entrepreneurs every year for 3 consecutive years in an acceleration program that supports entrepreneurs to improve their EdTech products as well as other aspects to sustain their business. Data will be collected throughout the program to be analyzed and produce informative research. The novel research and knowledge will contribute to the learning science in Edtech and importantly to the improvement of EdTech products that meet the relevance of quality education on the African continent.

The Role

As UX Designer, you will work closely with the EdTech Hubs and Entrepreneur Fellows to ensure high- quality learner experiences. While specific responsibilities will vary, they will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Lead the ongoing design and development of the CMU Africa project website, associated social media channels, project blog and integration of the OLI online courseware.
  • Collaborate with learning engineer to adapt CMU’s online learning sciences curriculum and products to be culturally relevant in the African regional contexts and hubs.
  • Improvegraphic design and Conduct user research and stakeholder mapping to gain insights into the needs of EdTech Hubs, Entrepreneurs, and the project Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes for effective implementation by web developers.
  • Collaborate closely with the CMU Africa communications team to grow and maintain the CMU Africa Ed Tech project website, associated EdTech Hub web properties as well as other marketing and branding materials.
  • Liaise with learning Engineers to help manage digital assets, including project photographs, audio,

video recordings, podcasts; obtain media releases as needed

  • Provide quarterly reports on web analytics, social media impressions, courseware usage data, and present recommendations to the project and management team. Document design improvements and outcomes for annual reporting.
  • Develop a comprehensive vision and strategy for the OLI online learning user experience in close consultation with key stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with learning engineers to conduct user testing and evaluation of CMU’s online learning platform and learning science courses, proposing courseware modifications for user interface elements, interaction flow, navigation structures, and visual design enhancements as
  • Conduct heuristic assessments of Ed Tech company products to ensure they meet basic usability and digital accessibility requirements.

Education and experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, human computer interaction, graphic, design, or other related fields
  • At least 2 years’ experience in a UX design or product design role with strong media design and user researcher skills
  • Excellent written and verbal English communication
  • Experience working in multicultural teams and fluent in English, any other language is an added value
  • Experience working on educational technologies in the African

To apply

If you are an experienced UX Designer with a strong commitment to enhancing educational technology across Africa, we encourage you to send your application by January 16, 2025. Applications should include a cover letter with your motivation for applying, and a comprehensive resume/CV. submit your application through the following link: https://www.africa.engineering.cmu.edu/about/careers.html. Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its community on a range of intellectual and cultural dimensions.

 

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