Design Thinker

Company Description

Injini is Africa’s only EdTech accelerator and think tank, headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, and focused on driving innovation in education across Sub‑Saharan Africa.

The Injini AI for Education Venture Builder & Incubation Program is an eight-month program designed to support early‑stage ventures developing AI‑driven solutions to address challenges in education.

The program begins with a five‑month Venture Build phase, during which twelve selected teams develop and validate their ideas, build their minimum viable products (MVPs) and test their assumptions. Five ventures will progress to a further three‑month Incubation phase, which focuses on advancing their ventures towards sustainability and scale.

Role Description:

The in‑person Design Thinking workshop will take place during the in‑person program kick‑off week, at the start of the Venture Build phase.

We are looking for a Design Thinker who will facilitate and deliver a 1 day workshop (4 - 5 hours) for the teams.

Participants may need support in translating broad problem statements into clearly defined user needs, distinguishing assumptions from evidence, understanding user behaviour and designing solutions that are practical within real educational environments. They may also have differing levels of familiarity with design thinking and user‑centred product development.

Role Description.

The Design Thinker will facilitate and deliver a 1 day workshop to 12 teams in is a full‑time, on‑site role based in the City of Johannesburg, working closely with EdTech entrepreneurs, researchers, and program staff to develop user‑centered solutions for education challenges. Day‑to‑day responsibilities include conducting qualitative and quantitative user research, mapping user journeys, and facilitating design thinking workshops with startup teams and partners. The role involves creating visual concepts, prototypes, and design artifacts that communicate complex ideas clearly, using both traditional graphic design tools and digital platforms. The Design Thinker will collaborate on the design of products, services, and learning environments, integrating feedback and data insights to refine solutions. The person in this role will document processes, contribute to thought leadership, and support Injini’s programs with high‑quality design and research outputs.

Qualifications

• Strong visual design capabilities, including Graphic Design and working with Graphics for digital and print materials.
• Proficiency in user and market Research methods to inform problem framing, ideation, and solution validation.
• Experience with Architecture or spatial thinking to support the design of learning environments or experience flows.
• Ability to use Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) tools or equivalent software to develop prototypes, layouts, or structural concepts.
• Demonstrated experience applying design thinking or human‑centered design in product, service, or program development.
• Comfort facilitating workshops, co‑creation sessions, and stakeholder interviews in diverse, multicultural contexts.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present design concepts and research findings to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Relevant qualification in Design, Architecture, Human‑Centered Design, UX/UI, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in education, social impact, or working with startups in Africa is an advantage.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross‑functional teams, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

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