Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Irembo Ltd

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Job Type: Fixed Term (24 Months)

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: 2026-06-25T06:40:30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design of intuitive, inclusive, and trust-centered user experiences for a national-scale telemedicine platform, serving millions of Rwandans.

• Craft user flows and interfaces across a multi-channel environment, including Web Apps, Smartphone Apps, and low-fidelity USSD/Voice interactions for feature phones.

• Develop and implement unified design patterns to ensure consistency across diverse channels while respecting technical constraints.

• Design user experiences for integrated AI features, focusing on transparency, trust, and delivering actionable insights for both patients and providers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for Irembo's expansion into the healthcare sector, building on the legacy of Babyl Rwanda. The Senior Product Designer will be pivotal in shaping digital health services, focusing on accessibility for users with low digital literacy and visual impairments, and integrating advanced AI technologies. The fixed-term contract suggests a project-based focus, likely on the initial development and launch phases of the new telemedicine platform.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design user journeys, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups for patient and provider interfaces across Web, Mobile, and USSD platforms.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive design system to ensure brand consistency and efficient design handoffs across all product touchpoints.

• Conduct user research, including interviews, surveys, and usability testing with target demographics (patients and healthcare workers) to validate design concepts and gather feedback.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and AI/ML specialists to translate complex requirements into user-friendly and technically feasible designs.

• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, advocating for user needs and providing clear rationale for design decisions.

• Design intuitive, low-cognitive-load interfaces for clinicians, incorporating best practices for visual accessibility, linguistic simplicity, and cognitive ease, including potential voice-enabled support.

• Ensure all patient-facing designs are accessible to users with low digital literacy and visual impairments, potentially leveraging voice interaction models.

• Design the user experience for integrated AI features, such as medical triage chatbots, diagnostic support tools for providers, and intelligent scheduling systems, focusing on transparency and trust.

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business strategy into intuitive information architectures and interaction designs, building consensus through clear communication of design rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into designing for constrained environments ("Next Billion Users") and complex user needs within the healthcare sector. The emphasis on AI integration and multi-channel design indicates a need for a designer who can think holistically about the user journey and technological capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level design roles. Relevant certifications in UX/UI design or specific design tools may also be beneficial.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in UI/UX design, with a proven track record in designing complex systems and mobile applications.

Required Skills:

• 5+ years of UI/UX design experience.

• Strong portfolio showcasing complex system design and mobile applications.

• Demonstrated experience designing for "Next Billion Users" constraints, including USSD, low bandwidth environments, and feature phones.

• Expert ability to apply user-centric methodologies to solve complex design challenges.

• Strong analytical problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of articulating design decisions persuasively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including mastery of building scalable design systems using advanced Auto Layout, multi-mode variables, tokens, and complex component properties.

• Experience in developing intuitive information architectures and interaction designs.

• Proficiency in conducting user research and usability testing. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Healthcare UX, with an understanding of clinical workflows and patient needs.

• Familiarity with voice user interface (VUI) design principles and applications.

• Experience with AI/ML integration UX, particularly in conversational interfaces or diagnostic support tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for expert Figma proficiency, including advanced features like Auto Layout, variables, and tokens, signifies a need for a designer who can build and maintain robust, scalable design systems. This is critical for ensuring consistency and efficiency across multiple platforms and for smooth developer handoffs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase complex system design projects, demonstrating an ability to manage intricate user flows and interconnected components.

• Highlight mobile application designs, emphasizing user-centricity and intuitive navigation.

• Include case studies demonstrating experience with "Next Billion Users" constraints, such as USSD or low-bandwidth environments, and how design challenges were overcome.

• Present examples of building and utilizing scalable design systems, detailing the process and impact on consistency and efficiency.

• Demonstrate expertise in Figma, showcasing the use of advanced features like Auto Layout, variables, and component properties. Process Documentation:

• Detail the user research methodologies employed, including how insights were gathered and translated into design decisions.

• Illustrate the process of conducting usability testing, including participant recruitment, test script development, and analysis of results.

• Explain the workflow for designing and iterating on AI/ML integrated features, focusing on transparency and user trust.

• Document the process of collaborating with cross-functional teams (product managers, engineers, AI/ML specialists) to ensure alignment and successful implementation.

• Provide examples of how design rationale was communicated and consensus was built with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to provide a portfolio that not only displays aesthetic proficiency but also demonstrates a deep understanding of design processes, user research, and the ability to build scalable, consistent design systems. The emphasis on "Next Billion Users" and AI integration suggests a need for case studies that tackle unique design challenges in resource-constrained or technologically evolving environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior Product Designer title, 5+ years of experience, and the location in Kigali, Rwanda, a competitive salary range can be estimated. Based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in emerging markets and accounting for the specialized nature of designing for low-bandwidth and multi-channel environments, the estimated annual salary range is between $40,000 - $65,000 USD. This range is also influenced by the fixed-term nature of the contract and the specific expertise required for AI/ML integration UX and Healthcare UX.

Benefits: While specific benefits are not detailed in the job description, typical comprehensive benefits packages for fixed-term contracts in international organizations often include:

• Health insurance coverage.

• Paid time off (vacation and sick leave).

• Professional development opportunities, including training and conference attendance.

• Potential for contract renewal or transition to a permanent role based on performance and company needs.

• Relocation assistance or support may be provided for international candidates.

• Opportunities to work on impactful projects that contribute to societal development.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for a full-time role are typically 40 hours per week. However, given the demanding nature of product development and the potential for cross-functional collaboration across different time zones or urgent project needs, some flexibility may be expected. The role is on-site in Kigali, Rwanda.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general market data for senior product designers in similar regions and the specialized skills required. It's crucial for candidates to understand that this is an estimate, and the final compensation will be discussed during the interview process, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The fixed-term contract (24 months) is a key factor influencing compensation and benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Digital Services, Healthcare Technology. Irembo operates at the intersection of technology and public service delivery, aiming to digitize and simplify access to essential services. Their expansion into healthcare signifies a commitment to leveraging technology for social impact.

Company Size: Irembo is a growing technology company. While the exact current size isn't provided, Greenhouse data often indicates companies ranging from 50-1000+ employees. This suggests a dynamic environment with potential for rapid scaling and evolving structures.

Founded: Irembo was founded in 2015. This relatively young company has a track record of innovation, having successfully launched and scaled IremboGov and IremboPay. Their recent focus on healthcare demonstrates strategic evolution.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates within a product development structure, collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and potentially researchers.

• The Senior Product Designer will be expected to lead design efforts for the new telemedicine platform, potentially mentoring junior designers if the team grows.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, with designers working alongside business strategists, AI/ML specialists, and healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive product development. Methodology:

• Irembo emphasizes user-centered design, data-driven decision-making, and iterative development.

• For this project, the methodology will likely involve agile development principles, rapid prototyping, and continuous user feedback loops to adapt to the unique challenges of the healthcare sector and the target user base.

• A strong focus on designing for accessibility and inclusivity will be a core part of their design methodology.

Company Website: irembo.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Irembo's mission to "change our continent through technology" suggests a purpose-driven culture. The company's rapid growth and expansion into new sectors like healthcare indicate an innovative and ambitious environment. The emphasis on diversity and inclusion is a positive cultural indicator for potential employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level, indicating a high degree of autonomy, strategic input, and leadership potential within the design function. The Senior Product Designer is expected to not only execute design tasks but also to influence product strategy and champion user advocacy.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product, Lead Designer, or a Director of Product Development. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads on the telemedicine platform initiative.

Operations Impact: The work of the Senior Product Designer will have a direct and profound impact on the accessibility and effectiveness of healthcare services for millions of Rwandans. By creating intuitive and inclusive digital health interfaces, the role contributes significantly to improving health outcomes, increasing patient engagement, and enhancing the efficiency of the healthcare system. This role is central to Irembo's mission of leveraging technology for social good.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in designing for complex, multi-channel environments, including low-fidelity interfaces and voice user interfaces. Gain specialized knowledge in healthcare UX and AI/ML integration design.

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead design initiatives for a critical new product line, potentially mentoring junior designers and influencing design strategy.

• Impactful Project Experience: Contribute to a high-impact project with significant social and economic benefits in Rwanda and potentially across Africa.

• Career Advancement: Potential for advancement to Lead Product Designer, Head of Design, or other senior product leadership roles within Irembo as the company expands its digital health offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies significant responsibility and the expectation that the candidate will bring established best practices and strategic thinking to the role. The growth opportunities are tied to specializing in niche areas of design and taking on leadership responsibilities within a mission-driven organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in Kigali, Rwanda. Irembo's headquarters in Kigali likely offers a modern office environment conducive to collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): Primarily Kigali, Rwanda.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with cross-functional teams including product management, engineering, and AI/ML specialists.

• Access to relevant design tools and technology, including advanced Figma capabilities, will be standard.

• Opportunities for team-based problem-solving and design critiques will likely be integral to the daily workflow.

• The environment is anticipated to be fast-paced, given Irembo's growth trajectory and ambitious project goals.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Given the project's critical nature and the potential for iterative design processes, some flexibility may be required to meet deadlines or accommodate user testing schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on-site in Kigali provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local context and directly engage with the user base, which is invaluable for designing effective and culturally relevant digital health solutions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and portfolio to assess alignment with the required skills and experience.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: You may be asked to present your portfolio, discussing specific case studies that demonstrate your expertise in complex system design, multi-channel experiences, and user-centered design principles. A practical design challenge related to the project's context (e.g., designing a specific feature for USSD or a provider interface) might be assigned.

• Technical & Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and potential team members to assess your technical proficiency (especially in Figma and design systems), problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Questions will likely focus on how you approach design challenges, collaborate with teams, and advocate for users.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit for the role and company mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Relevant Case Studies: Prioritize projects that showcase experience with complex systems, mobile apps, and particularly "Next Billion Users" constraints (USSD, low bandwidth).

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Explicitly show examples of your work using advanced Figma features like Auto Layout, variables, and component properties. Detail how you built and maintained design systems.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Pixels: Explain your thought process, user research methodologies, design rationale, and how you iterated based on feedback and testing.

• Address AI/ML Integration: If possible, include examples or case studies that touch upon designing for AI-driven features, emphasizing transparency and user trust.

• Accessibility Focus: Clearly articulate how you've considered and implemented accessibility best practices in your designs.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and that each case study tells a compelling story with clear outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Irembo's existing products (IremboGov, IremboPay) and the specific challenges of digital health in Rwanda. Familiarize yourself with USSD interface limitations.

• Focus on Constraints: Be prepared to design within significant constraints – technical limitations, varying levels of digital literacy, and potentially limited screen real estate.

• Prioritize Key Information: Practice identifying and prioritizing the most critical information and actions for users in a constrained environment.

• Communicate Your Rationale: Be ready to articulate your design decisions clearly and concisely, explaining why you made certain choices and how they align with user needs and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio, particularly their ability to demonstrate practical application of advanced design system principles in Figma and their experience designing for challenging user contexts. The design challenge will likely test their ability to think creatively and pragmatically under constraints.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mandatory expert-level proficiency is required. This includes advanced capabilities such as:

  • Building and managing scalable design systems.
  • Utilizing Auto Layout for responsive and adaptable components.
  • Implementing multi-mode variables and design tokens for consistency.
  • Complex component properties for intricate UI elements.
  • Efficient developer handoff features.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma has strong prototyping capabilities, familiarity with other tools like InVision, Adobe XD, or Marvel may be beneficial.

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user interview platforms, and usability testing platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Ability to interpret data from A/B tests and user feedback to iterate on designs. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed and how design impacts user journeys within broader systems is beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) for workflow management and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "expert-level Figma Proficiency" with specific advanced features underscores its central role in this position. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with design systems in Figma in detail.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to create novel solutions that improve lives through technology, particularly in underserved sectors like healthcare.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs, ensuring products are accessible, intuitive, and trustworthy.

• Impact: A focus on delivering tangible positive outcomes for society, measured by user adoption, efficiency gains, and improved well-being.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of cross-functional teamwork to achieve ambitious goals, fostering open communication and shared ownership.

• Inclusivity: A dedication to building products and a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities they serve, valuing different perspectives and backgrounds.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with product managers, engineers, AI/ML specialists, and potentially healthcare domain experts.

• Iterative Design Process: Embracing feedback and making continuous improvements based on user testing and stakeholder input.

• Transparent Communication: Openly sharing design rationale, challenges, and progress with all relevant parties to build consensus and ensure alignment.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Utilizing user data and research findings to guide design choices, while also bringing creative vision and user empathy to the process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Irembo's stated commitment to diversity and inclusion, coupled with their mission-driven approach, suggests a culture that values purpose, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Senior Product Designer will be expected to embody these values in their work and interactions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing for Diverse Digital Literacy: Creating intuitive user experiences for a broad spectrum of users, many of whom may have low digital literacy or limited access to technology.

• Multi-Channel Consistency: Maintaining a cohesive and effective user experience across vastly different interfaces (Web, Mobile Apps, USSD, Voice).

• Integrating AI Trustfully: Designing AI features (like chatbots and diagnostic aids) in a way that builds trust, ensures transparency, and avoids user apprehension.

• Healthcare Data Sensitivity: Navigating the complexities of designing for sensitive health information and ensuring patient privacy and data security.

• Resource Constraints: Potentially working with limited bandwidth, older devices, or specific technical limitations inherent in certain user segments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Gaining in-depth expertise in designing for emerging markets ("Next Billion Users"), voice user interfaces (VUI), and AI-driven healthcare applications.

• Healthcare Domain Knowledge: Deepening understanding of healthcare workflows, patient journeys, and the unique challenges and opportunities in digital health delivery.

• Leadership and Strategy: Opportunity to shape the design direction of a critical new product line and influence product strategy.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams and understanding the nuances of design for different cultural contexts.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Potential support for attending relevant UX, healthcare tech, or AI design conferences and workshops.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are significant and offer substantial opportunities for professional growth. Overcoming these obstacles will equip the designer with highly sought-after skills in inclusive design, multi-platform strategy, and ethical AI implementation within the vital healthcare sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you designed a complex system across multiple platforms. How did you ensure consistency and address channel-specific constraints?" (Focus on multi-channel design, information architecture, design systems).

• "Walk us through a project where you designed for users with low digital literacy or limited access to technology. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on user-centered design, accessibility, "Next Billion Users" experience).

• "How would you approach designing a user experience for an AI-powered medical triage chatbot to ensure user trust and transparency?" (Focus on AI integration UX, ethical design, conversational UI).

• "Tell us about your experience with Figma and building design systems. Provide an example of how you used advanced features like Auto Layout or variables to create scalable components." (Focus on Figma proficiency, design systems, component-based design).

• "Imagine you need to design a feature for a provider's interface on a low-fidelity USSD menu. What information would you prioritize and how would you structure it?" (Focus on constraint-based design, prioritization, USSD UX). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Irembo's mission, particularly its expansion into healthcare?" (Show research into Irembo's goals and your alignment with them).

• "How do you foster collaboration with engineers and product managers, especially when there are differing opinions on design?" (Focus on communication, consensus-building, cross-functional teamwork).

• "Describe a situation where user feedback significantly changed your design direction. What was your process for adapting?" (Focus on user research, iterative design, flexibility).

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to users with diverse needs and backgrounds?" (Focus on accessibility, inclusivity, user empathy). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key projects that best showcase your relevant skills (complex systems, multi