UX/UI Designer

Pavago
Full-time

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer

Company: Pavago

Location: Kenya

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-04

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Responsible for the end-to-end design lifecycle, from user research and wireframing to high-fidelity mockups and design system development.

  • Focuses on creating intuitive, user-friendly, and visually engaging digital experiences that balance user needs with business objectives.

  • Collaborates closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders throughout the Agile development process.

  • Emphasizes accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) and responsive design across web and mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is UX/UI Designer, the responsibilities heavily lean into product design, emphasizing the full lifecycle from research to implementation support. The role requires a strong understanding of user-centric design principles and the ability to translate complex user needs into elegant, functional interfaces.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability tests, to gather insights into user behavior and needs.

  • Develop user personas, journey maps, and detailed design requirements based on research findings.

  • Create low-fidelity wireframes, sketches, and high-fidelity interactive prototypes using tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

  • Design polished user interfaces with meticulous attention to layout, typography, color palettes, and branding guidelines.

  • Develop and maintain robust design systems, component libraries, and style guides to ensure consistency and scalability.

  • Ensure all designs adhere to WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards and consider internationalization/localization needs.

  • Collaborate effectively with product managers to define product strategy, prioritize features, and scope design efforts.

  • Partner with software engineers to deliver clear design specifications, assets, and documentation for seamless implementation.

  • Utilize tools such as Zeplin, Figma Dev Mode, or InVision Inspect for efficient design handoffs.

  • Plan and execute A/B tests on design variations to optimize user experience and conversion rates.

  • Continuously iterate on designs based on user feedback, analytics data, and stakeholder input to enhance usability and product performance.

  • Analyze user behavior using tools like Hotjar, FullStory, and Google Analytics to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on data-driven design and continuous improvement. The role requires not just creative design skills but also analytical capabilities to interpret user behavior and measure design impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often beneficial for understanding theoretical underpinnings of UX. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a proven track record of creating user-centered digital products.

Required Skills:

  • Minimum 2 years of hands-on UX/UI design experience.

  • Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools: Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch.

  • Demonstrated ability to create wireframes, user flows, and interactive prototypes.

  • Solid understanding of core UX principles, heuristics, and usability best practices.

  • Experience designing responsive layouts for web and mobile platforms.

  • Familiarity with user research methodologies and usability testing techniques.

  • Ability to create and maintain style guides and basic component libraries.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience designing for SaaS platforms, mobile applications, or e-commerce solutions.

  • Foundational knowledge of front-end development concepts (HTML, CSS) to facilitate better collaboration with engineers.

  • Experience working with or contributing to established design systems at scale.

  • Familiarity with user analytics platforms (e.g., Hotjar, FullStory, Google Analytics) and user testing tools.

  • Understanding of accessibility standards beyond basic compliance (e.g., ARIA).

  • Experience with animation and micro-interactions to enhance user engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools like Figma and collaboration with engineers suggests a practical, hands-on role. The "Ideal Experience" section points towards candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time, particularly those with experience in complex digital product environments.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 diverse UX/UI design projects.

  • Each project must clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process followed, and the final outcomes.

  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of user-centric design methodologies, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

  • Showcase high-fidelity UI designs with attention to detail in typography, color, layout, and branding.

  • Include examples of responsive design across different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).

  • Highlight experience with design systems, component libraries, or style guides if applicable.

Process Documentation:

  • Evidence of structured design processes, such as user journey mapping, empathy mapping, or workflow diagrams.

  • Examples of how user feedback and data analytics were integrated into iterative design cycles.

  • Documentation demonstrating collaboration with product managers and developers, including handoff processes and spec creation.

  • Showcase adherence to design standards, including accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and responsive design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of a candidate's design capabilities and process. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio projects in detail, explaining their decision-making at each stage, especially concerning user needs and business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the role is remote in Kenya and requires 2+ years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between KES 1,500,000 - KES 3,000,000 per annum (approximately USD 12,000 - USD 24,000 annually), depending on specific experience, skill set, and the client's budget. This range is based on typical UX/UI designer salaries in Kenya for mid-level roles, adjusted for a remote position often compensated at international or regional market rates.

Benefits:

  • Remote Work Flexibility: The primary benefit is the ability to work from anywhere within Kenya, offering significant work-life balance and flexibility.

  • Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning through access to design resources, potential for training, and exposure to diverse projects.

  • Health Coverage: Depending on the client contract, comprehensive health insurance may be provided, covering medical, dental, and vision.

  • Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays, allowing for rest and personal time.

  • Performance Bonuses: Potential for performance-based bonuses tied to project success and individual contributions.

  • Equipment Allowance: A potential allowance or provision for necessary work equipment (laptop, monitor) to ensure an optimal remote workspace.

Working Hours: The role requires working approximately 40 hours per week. While there is flexibility, candidates must be available to align with U.S. client business hours for key meetings, including sprint reviews and design handoffs, which may necessitate some overlap with U.S. time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for UX/UI designers in Kenya, considering the remote nature of the role and the client's likely international location. Benefits are standard for professional remote roles but may vary based on the specific client Pavago partners with. Flexibility in working hours is noted, but candidates should be prepared for some overlap with U.S. business hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pavago operates within the Staffing & Recruitment industry, specifically focusing on connecting companies with skilled remote talent. This means the "company culture" experienced by the designer will largely be influenced by Pavago's client, for whom the designer will be directly working. Pavago likely fosters a culture of remote work proficiency, global talent integration, and efficient client-candidate matching.

Company Size: Pavago is a growing company, likely operating with a lean, distributed team model to support its global remote workforce. This typically means a dynamic, adaptable environment where individuals can have a significant impact.

Founded: Pavago was founded with the mission to provide global companies access to world-class remote talent. This founding principle emphasizes a forward-thinking approach to employment and talent acquisition, valuing flexibility, skill, and international collaboration.

Team Structure:

  • The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a product team within the client's organization. This team would typically include a Product Manager, Engineers (Front-end and Back-end), potentially a QA Engineer, and other designers.

  • The reporting structure would usually involve reporting to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or a Product Manager, depending on the client's organizational setup.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: Decisions are informed by user research, analytics, and A/B testing results.

  • Agile Development: Work is conducted in sprints, requiring iterative design and close collaboration with development teams.

  • User-Centricity: The primary focus is on understanding and meeting user needs to create optimal experiences.

  • Systematic Design: Emphasis on building and maintaining design systems for consistency and efficiency.

Company Website: Pavago

📝 Enhancement Note: It's crucial for candidates to understand that while Pavago is the employer of record or facilitator, the day-to-day work environment, team, and culture will be dictated by the end client. Researching the client's industry and product is as important as understanding Pavago's model.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX/UI Designer. It requires a solid foundation of 2+ years of experience and the ability to work independently on design tasks while also collaborating effectively within a team. It's a role focused on execution, problem-solving, and contributing to product development through design.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Product Manager or a Design Lead within the client company. This structure allows for clear direction on product strategy and design execution, with opportunities for mentorship from more senior design or product professionals.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Designer's impact is directly tied to the user experience of the product. Success in this role leads to improved user satisfaction, higher conversion rates, increased user retention, and a stronger brand reputation, all of which contribute significantly to the client's business goals and revenue.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Senior UX/UI Designer: Progression to a senior level involves taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior designers, leading design initiatives, and contributing more heavily to product strategy and design system evolution.

  • Specialization: Opportunities to specialize in areas like UX Research, Interaction Design, Design Systems, or Product Strategy.

  • Lead/Managerial Roles: With significant experience and demonstrated leadership, there's potential to move into a Design Lead or Product Design Manager role, overseeing design teams and strategy.

  • Cross-functional Roles: Gaining deep product knowledge can also open doors to Product Management or even specialized roles in areas like UX writing or accessibility consulting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX/UI Designer is typically within design disciplines, but strong product sense and strategic thinking can open doors to broader product roles. Candidates should consider which aspect of design they wish to specialize in or if they aspire to lead teams.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, meaning there is no physical office requirement. The work environment is decentralized, with team members working from their respective locations.

Office Location(s): The role is specified for Kenya, meaning candidates must be located within Kenya. This allows for local compliance and potential for team meetups if the client or Pavago organizes them.

Workspace Context:

  • Home Office Setup: Candidates are expected to have a dedicated, productive workspace at home, equipped with reliable internet connectivity and appropriate technology.

  • Digital Collaboration Tools: The team will heavily rely on digital collaboration tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana) for communication and workflow management.

  • Design Software Integration: Seamless integration with design tools (Figma, Adobe XD) and developer handoff tools (Zeplin, Figma Dev Mode).

  • Asynchronous Communication: While real-time collaboration is necessary for certain meetings, a significant portion of communication may be asynchronous, requiring clear written communication skills.

Work Schedule: The role requires approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility. However, candidates must be available to align with U.S. client business hours for critical meetings, which might require adjusting their schedule for specific days or times. This means candidates should be comfortable with potential early morning or late evening calls depending on the client's specific time zone.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should ensure they have a stable internet connection and a suitable home office setup. The need to align with U.S. business hours is a critical factor for remote work in this role and should be carefully considered regarding personal work-life balance preferences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  1. Initial Phone Screen: A brief call with a Pavago Recruiter to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

  2. Video Interview with Pavago Recruiter: A more in-depth discussion with the Pavago recruiter to explore experience, skills, and career aspirations.

  3. Portfolio Review + Practical Task: This is a crucial stage. Candidates will present their portfolio, discussing their process and decision-making. They will likely be given a practical design task (e.g., designing a 3-screen mobile flow for onboarding) to assess their problem-solving skills and design execution under timed conditions.

  4. Client Interview: A final interview with the hiring team at the client company (Product Manager, Lead Designer, or key stakeholders) to evaluate technical skills, team fit, and strategic thinking.

  5. Offer & Background Verification: Successful candidates will receive an offer, followed by standard background checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative. Clearly define the problem, your approach, the constraints, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes.

  • Process Emphasis: Detail your UX process. Show wireframes, user flows, research findings, and iterative design changes. Explain why you made certain decisions.

  • UI Polish: Ensure your UI designs are clean, professional, and demonstrate a keen eye for detail in typography, color, and spacing.

  • Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch and how you leverage their features.

  • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "Increased task completion rate by 15%").

  • Tailor to the Role: Highlight projects that best align with the requirements of this specific UX/UI Designer role, such as SaaS or mobile app design.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brief: If given a practical task, read the brief carefully. Clarify any ambiguities before starting.

  • Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across research, ideation, wireframing, UI design, and presentation preparation.

  • Focus on Process: Even for a small task, demonstrate your thought process. It's often more important than a perfect final output.

  • Accessibility & Responsiveness: Incorporate best practices for accessibility and responsive design into your solution.

  • Clear Communication: Be prepared to present your work clearly and concisely, explaining your design choices and how they address the problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review and practical task are the most critical components of the application process. Candidates should dedicate significant time to curating their portfolio and practicing their presentation skills, focusing on demonstrating both their creative design abilities and their structured problem-solving approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch (proficiency in at least one is required).

  • Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet.

  • Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar Agile project management tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • User Behavior Analysis: Hotjar, FullStory, Google Analytics.

  • Performance Metrics: Understanding key UX/UI metrics and how to track them.

CRM & Automation:

Developer Handoff & Collaboration:

  • Zeplin, Figma Dev Mode, InVision Inspect.

  • Basic understanding of HTML/CSS for effective communication with developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is highly desirable given its widespread adoption. Familiarity with user behavior analytics tools is a significant plus, indicating a data-driven approach to design. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these tools and how they integrate them into their workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the end-user's needs, ensuring every design decision prioritizes usability and satisfaction.

  • Collaboration: A strong belief in teamwork, open communication, and shared problem-solving across product, engineering, and other departments.

  • Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of users, leading to designs that are sensitive to their challenges and goals.

  • Continuous Improvement: A dedication to iterative design, learning from feedback, and constantly seeking ways to enhance the user experience and product effectiveness.

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulousness in design execution, ensuring visual consistency, accuracy in specifications, and adherence to standards like accessibility.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in team meetings, design critiques, and feedback sessions with product managers and engineers.

  • Proactive Communication: Clearly articulating design rationale, potential challenges, and solutions to stakeholders in a timely and effective manner.

  • Constructive Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve designs and team processes.

  • Shared Ownership: Fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the product's success, working together to achieve common goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration and user-centricity suggests a team that values input from all members and prioritizes creating products that genuinely serve their users. Candidates should be prepared to discuss examples of how they embody these values in their work.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between creating the ideal user experience and meeting aggressive business objectives or technical constraints.

  • Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively communicating and collaborating with a distributed team, ensuring alignment and understanding across different time zones and work styles.

  • Design System Maintenance: Keeping design systems up-to-date and ensuring consistent adoption across evolving product features and platforms.

  • Rapid Iteration Cycles: Adapting to fast-paced Agile development environments that require quick design turnarounds and frequent revisions.

  • User Research Limitations: Overcoming challenges in conducting user research remotely or with limited access to target user groups.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced UX/UI Techniques: Deepening skills in areas like interaction design, animation, information architecture, and user research methodologies.

  • Design System Expertise: Gaining experience in building, scaling, and managing complex design systems.

  • Product Strategy Involvement: Contributing more significantly to product roadmapping and strategic decision-making through user insights.

  • Accessibility Specialization: Becoming an expert in web and mobile accessibility standards and implementation.

  • Cross-functional Skill Development: Learning about product management, front-end development, or data analytics to gain a more holistic understanding of product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in fast-paced tech environments, particularly for remote roles. Highlighting how a candidate has successfully navigated these challenges in the past will be key. The growth opportunities point towards continuous learning and specialization within the UX/UI field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for designing a new feature from concept to handoff. Walk us through an example from your portfolio." (Focus on demonstrating your structured approach, problem-solving, and collaboration.)

  • "How do you balance user needs with business requirements and technical constraints when designing?" (Prepare examples of trade-offs and how you navigated them.)

  • "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive for all users?" (Discuss your understanding of WCAG and practical implementation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about this role and Pavago/our client?" (Research Pavago's mission and the client's product/industry.)

  • "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers?" (Provide specific examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.)

  • "What makes a user experience 'intuitive' or 'engaging' in your opinion?" (Articulate your design philosophy.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select your strongest 2-3 projects that best represent your skills and align with the job description.

  • For each project:

    • Problem Statement: Clearly define the user problem or business goal.
    • Your Role & Process: Detail your specific contributions and the steps you took (research, ideation, wireframing, UI, testing).
    • Key Decisions: Explain the rationale behind critical design choices.
    • Outcomes & Learnings: Present measurable results and key takeaways.
  • Be ready for live design challenges: Practice sketching quick wireframes or user flows on a whiteboard or digital tool.

  • Prepare questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, product, design process, and company culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their finished designs but also to articulate the "why" behind their decisions. The practical task is an opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills in real-time, so practicing under timed conditions is highly recommended.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is updated, highlights relevant projects (SaaS, mobile apps, e-commerce), and clearly details your process and impact. Tailor your resume to emphasize UX/UI skills and keywords from the job description.

  • Research Pavago and the Client: Understand Pavago's business model and the client's industry, product, and target audience. This will help tailor your application and interview responses.

  • Prepare for the Practical Task: Practice designing a simple user flow (e.g., onboarding, signup, checkout) within a limited timeframe, focusing on clarity, usability, and basic UI design principles.

  • Practice Portfolio Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, process explanation, and quantifiable results. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design decisions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding compensation, benefits, and specific client details, should be verified directly with Pavago during the application process.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have at least 2 years of professional UX/UI design experience and proficiency in industry-standard tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. A strong portfolio demonstrating problem-solving skills and an understanding of usability best practices is required.