ABOUT INTERACTION
InterAction is the largest U.S. based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with hundreds of members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our Member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, private foundation and corporate grants, and a growing fee-for-service program portfolio. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues—including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change—that advance human dignity, human potential, and self-determination.
ABOUT NGO AID MAP
InterAction’s NGO Aid Map http://www.NGOAidMap.com aims to increase the amount of publicly available data on international development and humanitarian action. First established in 2008, NGO Aid Map gives a picture of international aid that would not exist otherwise. The platform features tens of thousands of InterAction Member projects, representing billions of dollars in international programs.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
While NGO Aid Map has been effective in communicating the breadth and depth of InterAction Members’ global impact, its relevance has faded as the challenges of the international NGO sector have evolved. As such, InterAction is working to determine how to evolve the map to respond to the challenges of the NGO sector today. For more information on the re-design process, see this recent InterAction blog: What is Next for NGO Aid Map? https://www.interaction.org/blog/whats-next-for-ngo-aid-map/
To date, two remote feedback events have been held by InterAction’s internal design team, one internal to InterAction staff and another among InterAction Member organizations. These events have generated a series of ideas or directions that InterAction might pursue. The consultant will review previous research, documentation, event summaries, and ideas for the Map which have been collected to date, and produce a strategy document answering the following questions:
- Is additional engagement and research with InterAction Members necessary?
- If so, in what format and with whom exactly? Which staff profiles from Member organizations should be involved?
- Instead of additional research, should InterAction hire a software developer now and start to build prototypes based on ideas collected to date? If so, which ideas should be prototyped?
- How can InterAction Member organizations remain involved in the process as idea generators and testers?
- Which data sources will be necessary to support the re-designed platform? Do those data sources already exist, and if not, how might the required data be gathered?
Subsequently, the consultant will draft the terms of reference for the solicitation of a software developer to iteratively prototype and create the new version of NGO Aid Map. The specific tasks envisioned are described below, though this list is not exhaustive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Review relevant documentation and results of previous research and events, to understand both opportunities and constraints (budget, timeline) of the project.
- Participate in weekly check-ins via video conference with NGO Aid Map internal design team.
- Write strategy for design process going forward, taking into account both software development and continued stakeholder engagement.
- Plan additional creative collaboration (design thinking) sessions, if necessary.
- Draft terms of reference for software development vendor procurement.
- Support vendor selection process, including participating on the technical review panel.
DELIVERABLES
- NGO Aid Map re-design strategy document, including detailed workplan.
- Concept notes, agendas, speakers’ notes for any collaborative feedback events.
- Terms of reference for software development solicitation.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in the international development, humanitarian aid, non-profit, or social good sector.
- Experience leading human-centered design, or stakeholder-driven, iterative design processes.
- Experience leading the design or re-design of public-facing technology platforms.
- Experience conducting competitive open procurements of software development services.
- Experience working with coalitions of organizations.
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, journalism, international relations, international development, qualitative research, human-computer interaction, or another relevant topic.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Fluency in English
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading inclusive design processes for coalitions of organizations.
- Knowledge of or experience working with open government data.
- Master’s degree in public policy, journalism, international relations, international development, qualitative research, human-computer interaction, or another relevant topic.
COMPENSATION
TBD based on applicants.
LEVEL OF EFFORT & DATE RANGE
InterAction is eager to move quickly in hiring and hopes the hired consultant will act with equal urgency. This consultancy will include 20 days full working days level of effort (LOE), and is expected to be complete by July 15th, 2020.
EXPECTED START DATE
June 1st, 2020
REPORTS TO
The consultant will report to InterAction Director of Data, Development Technology, and Innovation.
How to apply:
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send the following to jobs@interaction.org indicating Human-Centered Design (HCD) Strategy Consultant in the subject line:
- An updated, customized CV
- Cover letter explaining how your prior experience prepares you for this role, including hyperlinks to relevant work
- Proposed consultancy rate
- Two professional references who can attest to your HCD strategy experience including name, current email, dates worked together, and nature of project or professional relationship
This position will remain open until filled, but applications received before Wednesday, May 27th are preferred. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.