REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) UX/UI Designer Consultant - Adaptive Learning App

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Designer Consultant - Adaptive Learning App

Company: Ubongo

Location: Tanzania (Remote option likely, with potential for on-site collaboration)

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Product Design / UX/UI Design

Date Posted: July 24, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote work is implied, with potential for on-site collaboration as needed)

🚀 Role Summary

• This is a consultant role focused on the end-to-end UX/UI design of a new adaptive learning mobile application targeting young children in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• The role requires deep expertise in user research, interaction design, and prototyping, with a strong emphasis on designing for challenging technological constraints such as low-connectivity and low-specification Android devices.

• A key deliverable will be the creation of a scalable design system and clear developer-ready specifications to ensure successful product implementation.

• The consultant will work closely with Ubongo's Product Manager and Learning Architect, translating educational goals into engaging and effective digital experiences for young learners and their caregivers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)" indicates this is a project-based contract rather than a traditional full-time employment opportunity. The location "Any, Tanzania" with derived locations in France suggests a primarily remote role, with potential for occasional travel or collaboration within Tanzania or other Ubongo operational areas. The "5-10 Years" AI-derived experience level suggests a need for significant, demonstrable expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead or support comprehensive user and contextual research to understand the needs, behaviors, and constraints of children (3-6 years old), parents, and caregivers in African markets.

• Define user group profiles (personas), user journeys, and information architecture for the adaptive learning app, ensuring a logical and intuitive flow for young, non-reading users.

• Design engaging, age-appropriate, and accessible user interfaces and interaction patterns, translating Ubongo's Child's Learning Journey Curriculum (CLJC) into a digital experience.

• Develop low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes for iterative testing with target users, focusing on core user journeys and adaptive learning pathways.

• Plan and support multiple rounds of usability testing, analyze findings, and provide prioritized recommendations to mitigate product, usability, learning, accessibility, and technical risks.

• Create visually appealing and functional UI designs that align with Ubongo's brand, are optimized for low-end devices, and consider file size and performance efficiency.

• Develop an initial, scalable design system encompassing core UI components, interaction patterns, and accessibility guidelines to facilitate future development and content integration.

• Prepare detailed, developer-ready design specifications, including source files, component states, animation specifications, and accessibility annotations for seamless handover to the development team.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management and Learning Design, to ensure the UX/UI design effectively supports educational objectives and product strategy.

• Provide optional design quality assurance during the development phase to ensure implementation accuracy against design specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive "Scope of Work" section details a broad range of responsibilities, from initial research and planning to final developer handover and potential QA. The emphasis on "audio-led instructions," "low-connectivity environments," and "low-specification devices" highlights critical design constraints that will shape all aspects of the UX/UI work. The requirement to design for non-reading children is a significant UX challenge.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience in UX/UI design, product design, or a related field is essential. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in UX/UI design, product design, or interaction design.

• Proven experience designing mobile applications specifically for young children (ages 3-6), with a portfolio showcasing successful projects.

• Demonstrated experience designing for challenging technological environments, including low-connectivity, intermittent internet, and low-specification Android devices.

• Experience in conducting and translating user research (qualitative and quantitative) into actionable design decisions.

• Expertise in creating interactive prototypes (low and high-fidelity) to test and iterate on user flows and interaction patterns.

• Experience in developing and implementing design systems and component libraries for scalable product development.

• Strong understanding and practical application of accessibility and inclusive design principles, particularly for diverse user groups.

• Experience in preparing clear and comprehensive design specifications for developer handover. Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design: Comprehensive understanding of user-centered design principles, mobile design patterns, and best practices.

• User Research & Usability Testing: Proficiency in planning, conducting, and synthesizing user research and usability testing, especially with young children.

• Interaction Design: Ability to design intuitive and engaging interactions for mobile applications, including touch gestures, feedback mechanisms, and adaptive pathways.

• Prototyping: Mastery of prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) to create interactive and testable prototypes.

• Design Systems: Experience in building or contributing to design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Accessibility & Inclusive Design: Deep knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG) and inclusive design practices for diverse users.

• Information Architecture: Skill in structuring content and navigation for intuitive user journeys.

• Visual Design: Ability to create aesthetically pleasing and brand-aligned visual designs optimized for mobile screens.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing audio-led or audio-supported interfaces.

• Familiarity with educational content and curriculum translation into digital formats.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams in an agile or iterative product development environment.

• Understanding of the African edutainment market and user contexts.

• Experience with localization and internationalization considerations in design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement explicitly states that branding or graphic design alone is insufficient, underscoring the critical need for strong UX, interaction design, and product design capabilities. The "Required or strongly preferred experience" section is very detailed and should be thoroughly addressed in a proposal.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A minimum of two to three detailed case studies showcasing complete user flows, interaction design, prototyping, and tested products designed for children.

• User Journeys & Flows: Clear documentation of defined user journeys, experience maps, and information architecture for mobile applications.

• Prototyping Examples: Demonstrations of interactive prototypes, highlighting end-to-end user journeys rather than just isolated screens.

• Design System Components: Examples of reusable interface components, interaction patterns, and design system documentation created for past projects.

• Usability Testing Documentation: Evidence of usability testing plans, protocols, documented findings, and how these insights informed design iterations.

• Accessibility Specifications: Examples of accessibility guidelines, annotations, or specifications developed for digital products.

• Developer Handover Package: A sample of how design files, interaction specifications, and other assets are organized for developer handover.

Process Documentation:

• Research Methodology: A clear outline of the proposed approach for conducting user and contextual research, including methods for engaging children and caregivers.

• Design Workflow: A documented UX/UI work plan that aligns with the broader product development timeline, detailing key phases and deliverables.

• Iteration Strategy: Evidence of how designs are iterated based on user feedback and testing results, demonstrating a data-driven design process.

• Accessibility Roadmap: Identification of MVP accessibility features versus longer-term accessibility roadmap items.

📝 Enhancement Note: The RFP specifically requests "At least two or three relevant case studies or portfolio examples showing complete user flows, interaction design, prototyping, and tested products." This is a critical requirement and should be a central focus of the proposal submission. The emphasis is on demonstrating a complete design process, not just visual output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As this is a contractor role, compensation will be based on a proposal with daily or stage-based rates. Based on industry standards for experienced UX/UI consultants with specialized skills in mobile app design for children and emerging markets, and considering the complexity of the project, a typical daily rate could range from $400 - $800 USD. For a project estimated to take several months, this could translate to a total project fee in the range of $20,000 - $60,000+ USD, depending on the scope and duration.

• Methodology: This estimate is derived from researching UX/UI consultant rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and for specialized contract roles globally, factoring in the required expertise, the contract nature of the role, and the project's scope. The final compensation will be negotiated based on the submitted proposal.

Benefits:

• As a contractor, standard employee benefits (health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans) are typically not included.

• Potential Benefits (Negotiable):

  • Flexible working hours and remote work arrangements.

  • Opportunity to work on a high-impact social enterprise project with significant reach.

  • Contribution to a mission-driven organization focused on improving education for children in Africa.

  • Potential for extended contract based on project success and future needs.

  • Direct collaboration with a passionate and experienced team. Working Hours:

• The role is described as a contract, implying flexibility. However, the AI-derived estimate of 40 hours per week suggests a full-time commitment for the duration of the contract.

• The consultant will need to be available for working sessions and progress updates with the Ubongo team, which may require alignment with East African working hours (EAT - UTC+3).

📝 Enhancement Note: The RFP explicitly requests "Financial proposal, with daily or stage-based rates and a breakdown of professional fees and other expenses." This means candidates must propose their own pricing structure. The estimated salary range is a guideline based on external market data for similar contract roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Edutainment / Non-profit / Technology

Company Size: Ubongo is described as a leading producer of kids' edutainment reaching millions of households, suggesting a medium to large non-profit organization with a significant global footprint. (Company Size: 51-200 employees based on LinkedIn data).

Founded: Ubongo was founded in 2011, indicating a well-established organization with a decade of experience in the edutainment sector.

Team Structure:

• The consultant will report to the Product Manager.

• Close collaboration will be required with the Learning Architect and other relevant Ubongo teams.

• This suggests a matrixed or project-based team structure where specialized external consultants integrate with internal functional teams (product, learning design, potentially engineering). Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The project emphasizes user research, usability testing, and iterative prototyping, indicating a data-driven approach to product development.

• User-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and designing for the specific needs, behaviors, and constraints of target users (children, caregivers) in challenging contexts.

• Agile/Iterative Development: The process of research, prototyping, testing, and refinement suggests an iterative development methodology.

• Mission-Driven Impact: Ubongo's core mission to provide educational content to children across Africa drives its operational and product development strategies.

Company Website: https://ubongo.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ubongo's mission to reach children across Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in low-connectivity areas, is central to its operations and will heavily influence the design and technical decisions for the adaptive learning app.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a specialized contract role for a UX/UI Designer Consultant, typically suited for individuals with 5-10 years of experience who operate at a senior or lead level within their discipline. It's not a traditional internal operations role but requires operational excellence in design execution.

Reporting Structure: The consultant will report to the Product Manager, indicating a direct line of accountability for project deliverables and progress. Collaboration with the Learning Architect is also crucial, highlighting cross-functional teamwork.

Operations Impact: The successful design of this adaptive learning app will directly impact Ubongo's digital learning strategy, user engagement, and educational outcomes for millions of children. The work is critical to the product's success and its ability to scale.

Growth Opportunities:

• Portfolio Enhancement: This project offers a significant opportunity to build a highly specialized portfolio, showcasing expertise in designing for challenging environments, young children, and social impact initiatives.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the edutainment sector, particularly for emerging markets in Africa.

• Network Expansion: Building relationships with the Ubongo team, potentially leading to future collaborations or opportunities.

• Skill Specialization: Deepening expertise in adaptive learning design, accessibility for diverse users, and designing for low-resource contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract, the experience gained is highly valuable for career progression in UX/UI and product design, particularly for those interested in social impact and designing for emerging markets.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is primarily remote, as indicated by "Any" location and the nature of consulting work. However, the "Hybrid" AI classification suggests potential for occasional on-site work or collaboration meetings within Tanzania or Ubongo's operational hubs if the consultant is located nearby or travels are approved.

Office Location(s): While the job posting lists "Any, Tanzania" as the location, Ubongo's operational presence is across Sub-Saharan Africa. The derived French locations seem to be an artifact of the data scraping and are not relevant to Ubongo's operations. The primary focus is on designing for users in Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The work will heavily rely on digital collaboration tools for communication, design sharing, and feedback.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Regular engagement with internal Ubongo teams will be necessary, requiring effective virtual collaboration skills.

• Design Tools: Access to and proficiency with standard design and prototyping software (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Miro) will be essential.

• Contextual Understanding: While remote, the designer must actively seek to understand the real-world context of users in Tanzania through research.

Work Schedule:

• As a contractor, the schedule is likely flexible, allowing the consultant to set their own hours to meet project deadlines.

• However, availability for scheduled meetings, working sessions, and progress updates with the Ubongo team is crucial. This may require some overlap with East African Time (UTC+3).

• The estimated 40 hours per week suggests a full-time equivalent commitment for the contract duration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" classification is likely an interpretation based on the possibility of on-site interaction, but the core of the work will be remote. The emphasis is on designing for specific user environments, not necessarily working from a physical office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Proposal Submission: The first step is submitting a comprehensive proposal as per the RFP requirements. This includes demonstrating understanding, methodology, work plan, relevant experience, financial proposal, and availability.

• Portfolio Review: A critical part of the evaluation will be the review of submitted case studies and portfolio examples, assessing the depth of UX/UI expertise, children's app design experience, and ability to address specific constraints.

• Working Sessions/Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will likely engage in working sessions or interviews with the Ubongo Product Manager and Learning Architect to discuss their approach, ask clarifying questions, and assess cultural fit.

• Reference Checks: Potential reference checks for similar past projects may be conducted.

• Negotiation: Final negotiation of deliverables, timeline, and fees.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Clearly showcase projects involving children's apps, adaptive learning, or designing for low-resource environments.

• Demonstrate Process: Detail your UX process from research to testing to final design and developer handover. Use case studies to tell a story of problem-solving.

• Showcase Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., usability improvements, engagement metrics) or explain the rationale behind design decisions that drive user success.

• Address Constraints: Explicitly explain how you addressed challenges like low-connectivity, low-spec devices, and non-reading users in your designs.

• Video Walkthroughs: Consider including short video demonstrations of prototypes or key user flows within your portfolio.

• Design System Clarity: Present your design system components and documentation clearly, emphasizing scalability and reusability.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Deep Dive: Be prepared to articulate and defend your proposed UX/UI methodology for this specific project.

• Research Plan: Have a clear, high-level plan for how you would approach user research in the target context.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would tackle specific design challenges (e.g., designing adaptive learning for 3-year-olds, handling offline content downloads).

• Collaboration Style: Discuss your experience working with product managers, learning designers, and developers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The RFP submission requirements are extensive and serve as the primary filter. A well-structured proposal that directly addresses all points is crucial. The portfolio is not just supplementary; it's a core component of the "experience" requirement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, InVision, Axure RP (Candidates should highlight proficiency in at least one major tool).

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Dovetail, Miro (for collaborative whiteboarding and research synthesis).

• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Asana, Trello, Slack, Google Workspace (for team communication and workflow management).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While the consultant's primary role is design, understanding how to instrument designs for analytics is beneficial. Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics, or Amplitude would be a plus for understanding user behavior post-launch. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UX/UI design role, but understanding that the app might integrate with backend systems or have user accounts would be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific tool requirements are not listed, but proficiency in industry-standard UX/UI design and prototyping software is implicitly expected. The emphasis is on the ability to deliver functional, tested designs, regardless of the specific tool used, as long as it meets professional standards.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Oriented: A strong focus on creating educational content that has a tangible positive impact on children's lives across Africa.

• User-Centricity: Deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of children and caregivers, particularly in challenging contexts.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and cross-functional partnership to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Willingness to explore new approaches and adapt designs to fit local realities and technological constraints.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Actively promoting diversity and inclusion in its workforce and approach to content creation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The consultant will work closely with Product Management and Learning Design, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of objectives.

• Iterative Feedback: Expect regular feedback loops and working sessions to refine designs based on input from various stakeholders.

• Transparent Communication: Openness about challenges, assumptions, and progress will be key to successful remote collaboration.

• Mission Alignment: A shared passion for Ubongo's mission will foster a strong collaborative spirit.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ubongo's mission-driven nature suggests a culture that prioritizes impact and user needs. Consultants are expected to align with these values and contribute to the overall mission.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse Learners: Creating an adaptive learning experience that caters to the varied developmental stages, learning styles, and literacy levels of children aged 3-6.

• Low-Resource Environments: Adapting designs for low-specification Android devices, intermittent connectivity, and limited data, which requires innovative solutions for offline functionality, efficient data usage, and performance optimization.

• Non-Reading Users: Developing intuitive interfaces and navigation that do not rely on text, using visual cues, audio prompts, and clear iconography effectively.

• Shared Device Context: Designing for a scenario where one device is used by multiple users, requiring consideration for profiles, shared progress, and parental controls.

• Balancing Brand and Usability: Integrating Ubongo's brand elements and characters without compromising usability, accessibility, or learning effectiveness.

• Remote Collaboration Management: Effectively managing the design process and communication with a distributed team across different time zones.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized UX Skills: Deepening expertise in designing for emerging markets, children's applications, and accessibility.

• Adaptive Learning Design: Gaining practical experience in translating adaptive learning principles into interactive digital experiences.

• Social Impact Project: Contributing to a project with significant social impact, which can be highly rewarding and career-defining.

• Cross-Cultural Design: Developing a nuanced understanding of designing for diverse cultural contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Product Strategy Input: Opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a key product for Ubongo.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant and require a highly skilled and adaptable designer. Overcoming these challenges presents substantial growth opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach understanding the learning needs and digital literacy of parents and caregivers in rural Tanzania for an adaptive learning app?"

• "Describe your process for designing an adaptive learning pathway for 3-6 year olds that relies heavily on audio cues and visual feedback, considering low-spec devices."

• "What are the key considerations for designing a user interface that is intuitive for children who cannot read, and how would you test these assumptions?"

• "How would you ensure your design system is scalable and supports future content additions and localization efforts for a product like Ubongo's app?"

• "Walk us through a past project where you designed for low-connectivity environments or low-specification devices. What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What is your understanding of Ubongo's mission and how does that influence your approach to designing for children in Africa?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design teams like product managers and learning designers?"

• "What are your thoughts on balancing brand consistency with user needs and technical constraints in design?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, focusing on 2-3 of your most relevant projects.

• Narrative: For each case study, tell a clear story: the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, design, testing), the solutions, and the outcomes/impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals of wireframes, prototypes, UI screens, and user flows. Short video demos are highly effective.

• Data & Rationale: Clearly explain why you made certain design decisions, referencing user research, testing insights, or design principles.

• Address RFP: Directly tie your portfolio examples back to the specific requirements outlined in the RFP, especially regarding children, low-resource contexts, and adaptive learning.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects concisely, highlighting the most impactful aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their design skills but also their understanding of the unique context and challenges Ubongo is addressing. The RFP itself is a test of proposal writing and strategic thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer Consultant position:

• Prepare a Comprehensive Proposal:

  • Clearly articulate your understanding of the assignment and the adaptive learning app.
  • Detail your proposed methodology, including UX research, design, prototyping, and testing approaches tailored to Ubongo's context.
  • Develop a realistic workplan and timeline, outlining key phases and deliverables, and specifying team roles if proposing a studio.
  • Select and thoroughly document at least two to three relevant case studies or portfolio examples that showcase your experience with children's apps, user flows, interaction design, prototyping, and tested products.
  • Describe your usability-testing approach.
  • Clearly state your availability.
  • Submit a detailed financial proposal with daily or stage-based rates and a breakdown of professional fees and expenses.
  • List any assumptions, risks, and dependencies.

• Tailor Your Resume/CV: Highlight experience directly relevant to designing mobile applications for children, user research, interaction design, and working with technical constraints. Clearly differentiate work done personally versus by previous teams.

• Email Submission: Send your complete proposal to shama@ubongo.org and jackie@ubongo.org by the deadline of July 31, 2026.

• Subject Line: Use the specified subject line: "RFP: UI/UX Designer (Adaptive Learning App)".

• Research Ubongo: Familiarize yourself with Ubongo's mission, existing content, and target audience to better tailor your proposal and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. As this is an RFP, the quality and completeness of your proposal are paramount. Ensure all submitted documentation is professional, detailed, and directly addresses the requirements outlined by Ubongo.