Product Development.Associate UX/UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate UX/UI Designer Company: Bank of Abyssinia Location: Ethiopia (HO region) Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Development / UX/UI Design Date Posted: 2025-10-27 Experience Level: 5-10 years (Derived) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design intuitive and engaging user experiences (UX) and user interfaces (UI) for digital products, with a focus on growing independence and ownership in design execution.
• Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, usability tests, and competitor analysis, to inform design decisions and translate findings into actionable design artifacts.
• Develop and refine user personas, user flows, interaction models, and screen transitions, ensuring a cohesive and user-centric design strategy.
• Collaborate closely with IT teams and agile development squads to ensure seamless UI implementation that accurately reflects design intent and meets user needs.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of design libraries, UI elements, and documentation to ensure consistency and scalability across product offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role title "Associate UX/UI Designer" combined with the "4 years' professional experience, of which 3 years in the area of UX/UI or Graphic Design" suggests an intermediate level, but the AI-derived experience range of "5-10 years" might indicate a broader scope or a more senior interpretation by the AI. The primary duties list also shows a mix of foundational tasks and independent responsibilities, leaning towards an intermediate to senior associate level.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end design tasks, encompassing user research, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design, with increasing autonomy and initiative.
• Conduct thorough user research methodologies, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, field studies, and competitive analyses, to gather critical insights.
• Translate user research findings into practical low-to-mid fidelity wireframes and user flows, defining navigation and interaction patterns.
• Assist in the development and refinement of detailed user personas based on research data to represent target user demographics and behaviors.
• Support the creation of intuitive and visually coherent UI elements, such as icons, layouts, and reusable components, adhering to design best practices.
• Aid in the design of user flows, interaction models, and screen transitions that enhance the overall user journey and product usability.
• Apply information architecture principles and sitemap planning to effectively organize content and features for optimal user navigation.
• Maintain and contribute to UI/UX documentation, design libraries, style guides, and component inventories to ensure design consistency and facilitate collaboration.
• Partner with the IT and development teams to ensure accurate and effective implementation of UI designs, bridging the gap between design intent and technical execution.
• Actively participate in design critiques and agile team discussions, providing constructive feedback and incorporating insights to refine design outputs.
• Continuously learn and apply core UX principles, including usability, hierarchy, user psychology, and accessibility standards, to elevate product design quality.
• Perform rigorous testing on developed applications to validate that implemented UI/UX by the IT team aligns with approved designs and meets user expectations.
• Support problem definition by summarizing user needs and challenges identified through research data into clear, actionable insights.
• Explore and apply various ideation techniques, such as sketching, storyboarding, and card sorting, to generate creative design solutions.
• Assist in developing user scenarios and use cases to effectively validate design directions and anticipate user interactions.
• Practice version control and design history tracking to maintain a clear and auditable design process, facilitating iteration and knowledge transfer.
• Manage day-to-day team responsibilities, including planning, scheduling, process management, and task delivery within the scope of assigned design duties.
• Assist in establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and user engagement.
• Prepare, consolidate, review, and deliver periodic reports on design progress, user research findings, and project status to stakeholders.
• Step in to perform the duties of the UX/UI Designer in their absence, ensuring continuity of design operations.
• Undertake other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the broader product development and design initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities list is extensive and covers a broad range of UX/UI design activities. The inclusion of "Responsible for the day-to-day aspects of the team including planning/scheduling, process management, and task delivery" suggests a potential for leadership or project management within the design function, which is a significant aspect for an "Associate" role and warrants attention during application.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• BSC Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or other related fields.
• A certificate in UX/UI or graphic design is considered advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in design-related roles.
• At least 3 years of specialized experience in UX/UI design or graphic design.
• Experience within the banking industry is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Principles: Deep understanding of user-centered design methodologies, usability heuristics, and user psychology.
• UI Design & Visual Aesthetics: Proficiency in creating visually appealing, intuitive, and consistent user interfaces.
• Wireframing & Prototyping: Ability to create low-to-high fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• User Research Methodologies: Experience conducting user interviews, surveys, usability testing, field studies, and competitor analysis.
• Information Architecture: Skill in organizing content and features through sitemaps, user flows, and IA planning.
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including IT, product managers, and stakeholders, and articulate design decisions clearly.
• Design Critiques: Ability to give and receive constructive feedback in design review sessions.
• Agile Methodology: Familiarity with agile development processes and ability to work within iterative design cycles.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for analyzing user needs and challenges to define design problems and propose effective solutions.
• Design Documentation: Experience in creating and maintaining design specifications, style guides, and component libraries.

Preferred Skills:

• Graphic Design Software Proficiency: Expertise in tools like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Figma, Sketch, or similar.
• User Persona Development: Experience in creating detailed and actionable user personas based on research data.
• Interaction Design: Ability to design complex interaction models and screen transitions.
• Banking Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with financial services products, user needs in banking, and regulatory considerations.
• Storyboarding & Sketching: Proficiency in visual ideation techniques to quickly explore design concepts.
• Card Sorting: Experience using card sorting for information architecture validation.
• Usability Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools for remote usability testing and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Certificate in UX/UI/graphic design is advantageous" and "Experience in banking industry is advantageous" are key differentiators. For applicants, highlighting any formal certifications and specific banking sector projects will be crucial. The AI-derived experience level of "5-10 years" should be considered, as it might imply a broader expectation than the explicitly stated 4 years total / 3 years UX/UI.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 diverse UX/UI design projects that demonstrate end-to-end design thinking and execution.
• For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and responsibilities, the design process followed (research, ideation, design, testing), and the final outcomes.
• Highlight your contributions to user research, wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, with visual examples of key artifacts.
• Demonstrate your ability to translate research insights into tangible design solutions that address specific user needs and business objectives.
• Include examples of how you collaborated with developers or stakeholders to ensure successful implementation or to iterate on designs.

Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of your ability to document design processes, including user flows, wireframes, and UI specifications.
• Showcase examples of how you have contributed to or maintained design libraries, style guides, or component systems.
• If applicable, include examples of how you have participated in or led user research documentation, such as user personas or usability test reports.
• Demonstrate an understanding of version control and design history tracking principles in your project examples.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an Associate UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio should emphasize a strong grasp of the design process and collaborative capabilities rather than solely focusing on final visual polish. Showing the journey and decision-making behind the designs is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for an Associate UX/UI Designer with 4-10 years of experience in Ethiopia, a competitive salary range would typically fall between ETB 25,000 to ETB 50,000 per month. This estimate considers the cost of living in Ethiopia, the banking sector's compensation standards, and the specific requirements of the role.
• The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage for medical expenses, including hospitalization, outpatient care, and potentially dental and vision.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a pension or provident fund, providing long-term financial security.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, sick leave, and public holiday allowances.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and certifications to enhance UX/UI and design skills.
• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses based on individual and company performance.
• Employee Assistance Programs: Support services for personal and professional well-being.
• Transport Allowance: Assistance with commuting costs to the office.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with potential for some flexibility depending on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for Ethiopia can vary significantly based on location within Ethiopia (Addis Ababa vs. other regions), company size, and specific industry. The provided range is a general estimate. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in established organizations; specific details should be confirmed with HR.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Banking and Financial Services. Bank of Abyssinia operates within a highly regulated and competitive financial sector, emphasizing trust, security, and customer service. The digital transformation within banking means a growing focus on user experience for online and mobile banking platforms. Company Size: Bank of Abyssinia is a large, established financial institution. As of recent data, it employs thousands of individuals across various branches and departments. This scale suggests a structured environment with established processes and a significant impact on the national economy. Founded: Bank of Abyssinia was established in 1996. With over two decades of operation, it has a strong foundation and a deep understanding of the Ethiopian financial market, while also adapting to modern technological advancements.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a Product Development or Digital Transformation department.
• Reporting structure typically involves reporting to a Design Lead, Head of Digital, or Product Manager.
• Collaboration within the team will be cross-functional, involving Product Managers, Business Analysts, IT Developers, Quality Assurance testers, and potentially Marketing teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on using user research, analytics, and customer feedback to inform design decisions.
• Agile Development: Adoption of agile principles for iterative design and development cycles, allowing for flexibility and rapid response to market changes.
• User-Centric Approach: Prioritizing the needs and experiences of the bank's customers in all design and product development efforts.
• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages ongoing learning, process refinement, and adaptation to new technologies and user expectations.

Company Website: https://www.bankofabyssinia.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The banking industry context implies a need for attention to detail, security, and compliance in design. Understanding the specific digital products and services offered by Bank of Abyssinia will be beneficial for applicants.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate UX/UI Designer. This level signifies a professional who has moved beyond entry-level tasks and can independently manage assigned design projects. They are expected to contribute significantly to the design process, mentor junior designers if applicable, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The role involves taking ownership of specific features or product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Associate UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Senior UX/UI Designer, a Design Manager, or a Product Lead within the digital products or innovation division. This reporting line provides mentorship, guidance, and performance oversight, while also offering opportunities to influence broader design strategies.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's work directly impacts customer acquisition, retention, satisfaction, and operational efficiency. By creating intuitive and user-friendly digital interfaces for banking services, they enable customers to perform transactions, access information, and manage their accounts more easily. This, in turn, can reduce support costs, increase digital channel adoption, and enhance the bank's brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior UX/UI Designer: Progression to a senior role involves taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to design strategy.
• Lead UX/UI Designer/Design Manager: Opportunity to lead a team of designers, manage design operations, set design standards, and influence product roadmaps.
• Product Design Specialization: Focus on a specific area of product design, such as UX research, interaction design, or visual design, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Cross-Functional Roles: Potential transition into Product Management, Business Analysis, or Digital Strategy roles, leveraging design thinking and user advocacy skills.
• Industry Certifications: Pursuing advanced certifications in UX/UI, design thinking, or related fields to deepen expertise and enhance career prospects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "operations" context here refers to the operational aspects of the design role and its impact on business operations, rather than traditional Revenue or Sales Operations. The growth path is typical for design professionals in tech-focused organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Bank of Abyssinia likely operates with a hybrid or primarily on-site work model, common for established financial institutions. The office environment would typically be professional, structured, and conducive to focused work and team collaboration. Office Location(s): The role is based in Ethiopia, with the region specified as "HO," likely indicating the Head Office, which is typically located in Addis Ababa. This central location would offer access to resources and a dynamic professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms and common areas for brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and cross-functional team meetings.
• Design Tools & Technology: Provision of necessary hardware (e.g., design workstations) and software licenses for industry-standard design tools (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow designers, product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to foster a cohesive and productive work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be full-time, typically Monday to Friday, adhering to the 40-hour work week. While the role is on-site, there might be occasional flexibility for urgent project needs or specific team collaboration sessions, subject to company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "On-site" AI derivation and the nature of banking operations, a traditional office setup is expected. Applicants should anticipate a professional office environment with opportunities for in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruitment specialist will review applications and resumes to assess basic qualifications and experience.
• Technical Interview (Portfolio Review): A core part of the process will involve presenting your portfolio to the hiring manager and/or senior design team members. Be prepared to walk through 2-3 key projects, explaining your design process, rationale, and impact.
• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: You may be given a take-home assignment or a live design exercise to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply UX/UI principles to a specific problem relevant to banking services.
• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussions to assess your teamwork, communication skills, problem-solving approach, and alignment with Bank of Abyssinia's values and culture.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or department head to finalize hiring decisions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio presentations as narratives, guiding the interviewer through the user problem, your design journey, and the impactful solution.
• Process Over Polish: While visual appeal matters, emphasize the "why" behind your design decisions. Showcase your research, ideation, and iteration processes.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced user errors, improved satisfaction scores).
• Tailor to Banking: If possible, highlight projects or case studies that demonstrate an understanding of financial services or complex user journeys.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges faced, how you handled feedback, and your collaboration style.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, ensure you fully understand the problem statement and the target users. Ask clarifying questions.
• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, design, and documentation.
• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to explain your thought process and design decisions clearly and concisely during the presentation. Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach rather than just delivering a polished final design.
• Consider Edge Cases: Think about potential edge cases, accessibility, and scalability in your proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical gate for UX/UI roles. Candidates should prepare meticulously, focusing on demonstrating their design process and problem-solving skills in the context of banking applications.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one major design tool is essential.
• Graphic Design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator for creating assets and visual elements.
• User Research & Testing: SurveyMonkey, Typeform, UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback. Familiarity with tools for conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello. Experience working within agile teams and using project management tools.
• Version Control: Git (less common for designers directly, but understanding its principles for collaboration with developers is beneficial).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (or similar platforms) for understanding user behavior and tracking key metrics.
• Reporting Tools: Excel, Google Sheets, or BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for data analysis and presentation.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by UX/UI designers, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms impact customer journeys and data collection can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, proficiency in industry-standard UX/UI design software like Figma or Adobe XD is a prerequisite. Experience with user research platforms and project management tools within an agile framework is also highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the bank's customers, ensuring their digital experiences are seamless and positive.
• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new technologies and design approaches to stay ahead in the evolving digital banking landscape.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where team members work together, share knowledge, and contribute to collective success.
• Quality & Excellence: Striving for high standards in design execution, usability, and overall product quality.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the ethical standards expected within the financial services industry, ensuring user data and interactions are handled with care and security.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with product managers, developers, business analysts, and marketing teams to ensure a unified approach to product development.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Participating in regular design reviews, sprint planning, and retrospectives to continuously refine designs and processes based on feedback.
• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design insights, best practices, and learnings with colleagues to foster a culture of continuous improvement and collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of a financial institution like Bank of Abyssinia will likely emphasize trust, security, and customer service alongside innovation in the digital space. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Requirements: Effectively designing solutions that satisfy both user goals and the bank's strategic objectives, including regulatory compliance.
• Designing for Diverse User Segments: Catering to a wide range of customers with varying levels of digital literacy, accessibility needs, and financial expertise.
• Integrating New Technologies: Adapting designs to incorporate emerging technologies and evolving digital banking trends while maintaining a consistent user experience.
• Bridging Design and Development: Ensuring seamless handoffs and clear communication with the IT team to achieve accurate implementation of complex designs.
• Measuring Design Impact: Establishing and tracking relevant UX metrics to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of design initiatives to stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI Training: Access to specialized courses and workshops in areas like interaction design, UX research, accessibility, and design systems.
• Industry Conferences & Webinars: Opportunities to attend events and learn about the latest trends and best practices in UX/UI design and digital banking.
• Mentorship Programs: Guidance from senior designers or product leaders to foster professional growth and career development.
• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Working on a variety of digital products and services within the bank, providing broad experience and skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges often stem from the inherent complexity of the banking sector and the need to balance innovation with security and regulation. Growth opportunities are tied to advancing design expertise and potentially moving into leadership or specialized roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user-centered design decision that conflicted with stakeholder preferences. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus: User advocacy, negotiation, communication)
• "Walk us through a UX/UI project where you conducted significant user research. What methods did you use, what key insights did you uncover, and how did they shape your design?" (Focus: Research methodology, insight generation, design application)
• "Imagine we need to redesign our mobile app's fund transfer feature to be more intuitive. What would be your initial steps in designing this feature?" (Focus: Problem definition, design process, ideation)
• "How do you approach designing for accessibility, and what are some key considerations for users with different needs?" (Focus: Inclusive design, accessibility standards)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Bank of Abyssinia, specifically in the digital product development space?" (Focus: Motivation, industry understanding)
• "How do you stay updated with the latest trends in UX/UI design and digital banking?" (Focus: Continuous learning, industry awareness)
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Focus: Teamwork, cultural fit)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills, process, and impact, ideally including one related to financial services if possible.
• Structure: For each project, cover: Problem Statement -> Your Role -> Research & Discovery -> Ideation & Design -> Iteration & Testing -> Final Solution & Impact.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. Explain your visual choices and design system elements.
• Highlight Collaboration: Specifically mention how you worked with developers, product managers, or other stakeholders.
• Be Concise: Practice your presentation to fit within the allocated time, focusing on key insights and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the UX/UI design process, user-centric thinking, and the ability to translate business needs into effective digital solutions, particularly within a financial services context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form through the provided link on the Oracle Cloud portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in UX/UI design, user research, wireframing, prototyping, and any relevant banking industry experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a link), and clearly showcases your best work with detailed case studies explaining your design process and outcomes.
• Research Bank of Abyssinia: Familiarize yourself with their current digital offerings, mobile app, and website to understand their user experience and identify potential areas for improvement.
• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, walk through your portfolio projects confidently, and answer behavioral and technical interview questions effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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