Design Thinking Expert for UN Programme Development

Job Description

Result of Service

The consultant will deliver:

1. Design thinking training methodology based on the goals set out in the UN Ethiopia 2025-2030 Cooperation Framework

2. Evergreen design thinking tools and training materials to be delivered to technical and senior programme UN staff.

3. Facilitation of a three (3) 2-day step-down workshops on design thinking methodology to support UN staff in developing high-impact joint programmes.

4. Final assessment report which should include recommendations and additional training suggestions.

Work Location

• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Expected duration

• 4 months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background On 20 June 2025, the UN country team signed its 2025-2030 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with the Government of Ethiopia. This ambitious five-year plan is the joint UN response on how the 28 agencies in the country will work together to deliver on supporting the GoE in achieving its national development priorities. The UNSDCF is an ambitious agenda that will require transformative, collaborative action across the UN in order to deliver cohesive, high-quality impact at scale.

Underpinning this five-year strategic plan is the achievement of the following transformative results:

• Accelerating LNOB through Data

• Building Sustainable Food Systems and Livelihoods

• Creating 3 million Decent Jobs

• Digitizing Development

• Ending Humanitarian Aid Dependency To achieve this agenda, the UN country team must become more nimble and agile to respond to the dynamic needs of the country but also embrace new ways of thinking to deliver on these transformative results while also promoting integrated, data-driven, and forward-looking programming that will strengthen accountability, coherence, and impact. To further strengthen the design and development of impactful joint programmes that will deliver on the cooperation framework, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office seeks to engage an expert to facilitate and deliver a step-down Design Thinking clinics to build capacity among UN staff on programme design.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Partnership & Development Finance Officer, the International Consultant will be responsible for proposing an appropriate training methodology and developing a detailed training programme aligned with the overall objective of enhancing UN staff capacity in design thinking for the purpose of developing high-impact, people-centred programmes.

The consultant will also be responsible for delivering training to UN staff on design thinking with a focus on introducing the core concepts of a design thinking approach as well as guiding UN staff on how to practically apply design thinking methodologies to develop and design new programmes.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Partnerships and Development Finance Officer and with the overall guidance and support of the Head of Office in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia.

The consultant will be required to:

1. Prepare a design thinking training methodology, assessing the current UN Cooperation Framework outcomes and transformative results

2. Develop design thinking training materials for UN staff, including any updates and adjustments made to materials based on training feedback and experience

3. Conduct 3 in-person workshops (design clinics) for 30-50 UN staff participants in Ethiopia

4. Prepare a comprehensive final report on the assignment Training Content should

• Theoretically and practically introduce core design thinking concepts, such as ideation, iteration, prototyping, human-centred design, agility, and pivoting

• Introduce tools including personas, journey mapping, and “jobs to be done”

• Provide practical examples of how international development organizations have integrated design thinking into their programming

• Be highly visual, participatory, and practice-oriented with substantial hands-on exercises

• Include content that can remain relevant and valuable over a long period

• Incorporate and build upon feedback and insights from previous clinics

• Address additional areas deemed critical by the consultant.

Qualifications/special skills

– An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Design, Innovation, or a related field is required.

A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Certification in International Design Thinking is desirable

– 7 years of demonstrated expertise in design thinking, including partnerships with reputable design thinking institutions or hubs (regional or international) is required

– Strong understanding of design thinking methodologies in civil society and international NGOs, particularly in a non-Western context is required

– Excellent knowledge of social innovation techniques is required

– Experience developing and/or delivering training programmes for international development organizations in sub-Saharan Africa is required

– Ability to work under tight deadlines and collaborate effectively in teams is required

– Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing is required

– Experience working in Ethiopia or in-depth knowledge of development in the Ethiopian context is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Additional Information

• Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a proposed approach and methodology, including a work plan.

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.