UX Researcher (Junior)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (Junior)

Company: Tiko

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Operations

Date Posted: August 19, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Remote OK (within Kenya)

🚀 Role Summary

• Establish and lead on-the-ground qualitative UX research capabilities within Tiko's primary market in Kenya.

• Drive product decisions by grounding them in real-world user behavior and insights before development commences.

• Act as a critical bridge between field realities and product strategy, ensuring user needs are central to the product development lifecycle.

• Collaborate closely with Product Designers, Decision Scientists, and Product Managers to test hypotheses and inform roadmap prioritization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a foundational UX Research function within Tiko's product organization, emphasizing a hands-on, field-driven approach rather than purely desk-based research. The "Junior" title, coupled with 1-2 years of required experience, suggests a focus on developing and executing research plans under guidance, with significant potential for growth. The emphasis on "local community operations" and "offline-first, low-resource settings" indicates a need for deep cultural understanding and adaptability.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct continuous, field-based qualitative discovery research, including in-depth interviews, contextual inquiries, and usability testing with adolescent girls, peer mobilisers, health providers, and retailers in Kenya.

• Synthesize complex qualitative data into clear, actionable user insights, journey maps, and user personas to inform product strategy and design iterations.

• Effectively communicate research findings and user stories to Product Managers, Designers, and Decision Scientists during discovery rituals and roadmap planning sessions.

• Collaborate with the Product Designer to test early-stage prototypes and validate product hypotheses through user feedback.

• Partner with Decision Scientists to triangulate qualitative insights with quantitative data (e.g., analytics, survey results) to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior.

• Develop and manage an ethical research panel, ensuring participant privacy, safety, and dignity are upheld in all field activities.

• Contribute to the establishment of research operations best practices, including participant recruitment, consent processes, and data management.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring a deep understanding of user friction points.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a proactive, hands-on approach to research. "Continuous field-based research" implies an ongoing process rather than project-based work. The emphasis on "synthesizing complex qualitative data" and "triangulating qualitative insights with quantitative data" points to the need for strong analytical and storytelling skills. "Research Operations & Field Access" suggests the candidate will also be responsible for the logistical and ethical framework of their research.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Public Health, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), IT, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 1–2+ years of demonstrated experience in field research, community-led initiatives, innovation projects, field operations, or program execution within Kenya.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience conducting qualitative user research methods (interviews, observations, usability testing) in real-world settings.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize qualitative data into actionable insights, journey maps, and user personas.

• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and data analysts.

• Familiarity with basic digital collaboration and design tools such as Figma and Google Workspace.

• Basic understanding of quantitative data metrics (e.g., drop-off rates, survey results) and the ability to triangulate with qualitative findings.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse user groups, including frontline workers and community members.

• Based in Kenya with a willingness to travel locally for field observations. Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in one or more local Kenyan languages (e.g., Swahili, Kikuyu, Luhya).

• Experience working within the nonprofit sector or on social impact initiatives.

• Familiarity with research operations best practices and ethical research conduct.

• Exposure to Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies.

• Experience with digital survey tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "1-2+ years of hands-on experience in field research, community-led pilots, innovation, field operations, or programme execution in Kenya" indicates that practical, localized experience is highly valued. The "Junior" designation, combined with this experience level, suggests a focus on execution and learning under mentorship, rather than independent strategic leadership from day one. The explicit mention of "local community operations" and "frontline workers" points to a need for candidates who can navigate and understand these environments deeply.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of qualitative research projects, showcasing the entire research lifecycle from planning to insight generation.

• Examples of synthesized research findings, including journey maps, user personas, or detailed user stories that directly influenced product decisions.

• Case studies detailing how research insights were used to validate product hypotheses or identify user friction points.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams, illustrating how research findings were communicated and integrated into product roadmaps.

• Any personal projects or academic work that highlights a strong foundation in user research methodologies and human-centered design principles. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research processes clearly, from recruitment and consent protocols to data synthesis and reporting.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable product recommendations or design iterations.

• Understanding of how to integrate qualitative research findings with quantitative data for comprehensive analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a formal portfolio requirement in the job description, a strong portfolio is implicitly crucial for a UX Researcher role, especially at the junior level. The enhancement note emphasizes showcasing the process and impact of research, aligning with the role's focus on translating field observations into actionable product improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on regional research for a Junior UX Researcher in Nairobi, Kenya, with 1-2 years of experience, the estimated monthly salary range is KES 80,000 - KES 120,000. This estimate considers the cost of living, typical industry benchmarks for entry-level research roles, and the nonprofit sector.

Benefits:

• Localized benefits and allowances tailored to the Kenyan context.

• Flexible work arrangements, including remote options within Kenya.

• Annual personal development budget of €500 for professional growth and learning.

• Unlimited holiday days, with team coordination for time off.

• Opportunity to shape an impactful product and contribute to a growing organization.

• A culture built on trust, with minimal micromanagement.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate field research and team collaboration, aligning with Tiko's trust-based culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on market research for a junior role in Nairobi. The provided benefits like the development budget and unlimited holidays are significant and should be highlighted. The "unlimited holiday days" and "trust-based culture" suggest a focus on work-life balance and autonomy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Nonprofit / Technology for Good / Public Health / Adolescent Health. Tiko operates at the intersection of technology and social impact, utilizing a unique incentive program (Tiko Miles) and a platform that connects community organizations, health clinics, and retail partners to improve adolescent health outcomes.

Company Size: Over 250 employees globally. This indicates a well-established organization with a significant operational footprint across multiple countries, offering opportunities for learning and exposure to diverse markets.

Founded: Tiko was founded with a mission to strengthen the potential and resilience of adolescent girls across Africa. Its operational model emphasizes building local health ecosystems and leveraging technology for service delivery and data generation.

Team Structure:

• The Junior UX Researcher will be embedded within the Product Excellence team, working alongside a Product Designer, a Decision Scientist, and Product Managers. This structure suggests a highly collaborative, data-informed, and user-centric product development approach.

• The team likely operates with a flat hierarchy, emphasizing direct collaboration and shared ownership of product success.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core tenet, with strong partnerships expected between product, research, data science, and field operations. Methodology:

• Tiko employs an evidence-led product organization approach, prioritizing data and user insights to guide decisions.

• The organization leverages a technology platform to connect diverse stakeholders, manage referrals, verify service delivery, and generate real-time data.

• Human-centered design principles are integral, with a focus on understanding and addressing real-world user friction, particularly in offline-first, low-resource contexts.

Company Website: https://tiko.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Tiko's mission to empower adolescent girls across Africa is a strong differentiator. The mention of "local health ecosystems" and "behaviour-change incentive programme" provides context for the type of user research that will be conducted. The company's global presence (6 African countries plus offices in Europe) and diverse team size suggest a dynamic, international work environment. The "Product Excellence" team structure highlights a commitment to quality and user-centricity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is explicitly a "Junior UX Researcher," indicating an entry-level position focused on developing foundational UX research skills. It's ideal for individuals with 1-2 years of experience who are eager to deepen their expertise in qualitative research, particularly in challenging, real-world environments.

Reporting Structure: The Junior UX Researcher will report to a member of the Product Excellence team, likely a Product Manager or Senior UX Researcher (if one exists), and will work very closely with the Product Designer and Decision Scientist. This close-knit team structure offers ample opportunity for mentorship and hands-on learning.

Operations Impact: The research conducted by this role will have a direct and tangible impact on the design and functionality of Tiko's technology platform. By uncovering user friction and validating product hypotheses, the researcher will help ensure that the tools are effective, accessible, and impactful for adolescent girls, peer mobilisers, and healthcare providers, ultimately contributing to Tiko's mission of improving health outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Dedicated coaching from senior product design, data science, and product management leads. Financial support for formal UX Research certification will be provided, enabling specialization and advanced skill acquisition.

• Career Progression: Potential to grow into a mid-level or senior UX Researcher role within Tiko as the product organization scales. This could involve leading more complex research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing more significantly to product strategy.

• Impact Amplification: Opportunity to contribute to a growing product that impacts millions of lives, gaining experience in applying user-centered design in challenging, low-resource settings – a highly valuable and sought-after skill.

• Leadership Potential: As Tiko expands, there may be opportunities to take on research operations responsibilities or lead specific research streams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are a significant selling point. The combination of mentorship, formal certification support, and the chance to work on impactful projects in challenging contexts provides a strong foundation for career advancement in UX research and product development. The emphasis on "pioneering tech for good" and "evidence-led product culture" suggests a forward-thinking environment where research is highly valued.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "Remote OK" and "will happily accept applicants from anywhere in Kenya." This indicates a flexible work environment, with the primary operational hub likely being Nairobi, but remote work within Kenya is fully supported.

Office Location(s): While the role can be remote within Kenya, Tiko has a significant presence in Nairobi. The company also operates in Ethiopia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Nigeria, with offices in Portugal and the UK. This global footprint suggests a dynamic and international organizational structure.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role is embedded in the Product Excellence team, fostering close collaboration with Product Designers, Decision Scientists, and Product Managers. This suggests an open and interactive workspace, whether virtual or in-person.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard digital collaboration tools (Google Workspace) and design tools (Figma) is expected. The team's focus on data and user insights implies robust analytical tools and processes are in place.

• Field Exposure: A significant portion of the role involves direct interaction with users in their local environments, requiring adaptability and comfort working outside a traditional office setting.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule is implied (approx. 40 hours/week), Tiko's culture emphasizes trust and flexibility. This likely means that while core collaboration hours exist, there's autonomy in managing the workday to accommodate field research and personal needs, provided team collaboration and responsibilities are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote OK" within Kenya is a key aspect, appealing to candidates outside Nairobi. The company's global reach and focus on "local community operations" suggest that the work environment will involve navigating diverse cultural contexts and potentially balancing remote work with local travel for fieldwork. The "trust-based culture" implies a focus on outcomes rather than strict adherence to traditional office hours.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, likely focusing on resume, cover letter (if applicable), and portfolio.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion about experience, motivations, and alignment with the role and Tiko's mission. This might include behavioral questions and scenario-based questions related to UX research.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical exercise may be given, potentially involving analyzing a small dataset, outlining a research plan for a given scenario, or presenting a past research project in detail. This will assess research methodology, synthesis skills, and communication.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with other members of the Product Excellence team (Designer, Decision Scientist, Product Manager) to assess collaborative fit and understanding of product development dynamics.

• Final Interview: Possibly with a senior leader, focusing on cultural fit, long-term potential, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase the Process: Clearly articulate your role in each project, the research questions you addressed, the methodologies used, and the challenges encountered.

• Highlight Impact: Emphasize how your research findings directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.

• Demonstrate Synthesis: Present your ability to translate raw qualitative data into actionable insights, journey maps, and user stories.

• Tailor to Tiko: If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio presentation to reflect an understanding of Tiko's mission, target users, and operational context (e.g., low-resource, mobile-first environments).

• Be Concise and Clear: Focus on 2-3 strong, representative projects rather than overwhelming the reviewer with too many. Ensure clear visuals and concise narratives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Design: Be prepared to outline a research plan for a hypothetical scenario relevant to Tiko's work (e.g., understanding barriers to health service uptake, testing a new feature for peer mobilisers).

• Qualitative Analysis: Practice synthesizing qualitative data quickly and identifying key themes and insights.

• User Empathy: Demonstrate your ability to connect with and understand users from diverse backgrounds, particularly those in vulnerable or underserved communities.

• Cross-functional Communication: Prepare to explain complex research findings in a way that is easily understood by non-researchers (Product Managers, Engineers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a UX role, especially at a mission-driven organization, will likely focus heavily on demonstrating empathy, research methodology, and the ability to translate insights into action. The portfolio review will be a critical component, so candidates should prepare to walk through their projects with a focus on process and impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: While specific tools aren't listed, expect to use standard qualitative research platforms for note-taking, synthesis (e.g., Dovetail, Miro, Notion), and potentially remote usability testing platforms if applicable.

• Design Collaboration: Figma is explicitly mentioned, indicating its use for prototyping and design collaboration where user feedback will be integrated.

• Productivity Suite: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) is a standard requirement for documentation, data analysis, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic Data Understanding: Familiarity with quantitative data metrics (e.g., drop-off rates, survey results) is required. Experience with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or similar would be beneficial, though not explicitly stated.

• Data Synthesis: The ability to pair qualitative insights with quantitative findings is a key requirement, suggesting collaboration with a Decision Scientist.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: This role is focused on user research and product development, not direct CRM management or sales/marketing automation. However, understanding how user data flows from the Tiko platform into analytics and product development is relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on core UX research and collaboration tools. Figma and Google Workspace are explicitly named. The role requires an understanding of data metrics and the ability to integrate qualitative insights with quantitative data, suggesting a collaborative relationship with a Decision Scientist who likely manages more advanced analytics tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of adolescent girls, peer mobilisers, and health providers is paramount. Research findings are expected to directly drive user-focused product improvements.

• Impact-Driven: A strong focus on achieving tangible positive outcomes for adolescent girls across Africa. Research is seen as a critical lever for maximizing this impact.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are grounded in evidence, with a blend of qualitative insights and quantitative data used to guide product strategy and development.

• Collaboration & Trust: A culture that values open communication, mutual respect, and shared ownership. The emphasis on trust suggests autonomy and empowerment for team members.

• Pragmatism & Agility: A preference for rapid, pragmatic insights over lengthy, theoretical reports, aligning with the fast-paced nature of product development and the need for quick iteration.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role is designed to be deeply integrated within the Product Excellence team, fostering constant communication and collaboration with Product Designers, Decision Scientists, and Product Managers.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to improve research processes, product designs, and overall team performance.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share learnings and best practices, both within the product team and potentially with wider operations or field teams to ensure research insights are disseminated effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tiko's values are strongly aligned with its mission. The emphasis on "trust," "impact," and "user-centricity" suggests a supportive yet results-oriented environment. The "pragmatic, rapid insights" preference is key for a junior role aiming to make a tangible contribution quickly.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Low-Resource/Offline Environments: Conducting research in areas with limited internet connectivity, diverse cultural norms, and potential infrastructure challenges will require adaptability and innovative approaches to data collection.

• Ethical Research Conduct: Ensuring the privacy, safety, and dignity of vulnerable user groups (adolescent girls) in all research activities is a critical and ongoing challenge.

• Bridging Qualitative & Quantitative Data: Effectively triangulating "why" insights from qualitative research with quantitative metrics to provide a comprehensive and actionable picture for the product team.

• Establishing Research Operations: As a foundational role, you may need to help define and formalize research processes, participant recruitment strategies, and ethical guidelines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal UX Research Certification: Financial support to obtain professional certification, enhancing credibility and expertise.

• Mentorship: Direct coaching and guidance from experienced Product Managers, Designers, and Decision Scientists within the Product Excellence team.

• Applied Learning: Gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced product development environment, learning to apply research methodologies to real-world problems that impact millions.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working closely with data science and product management provides a broader understanding of how user research fits into the larger product lifecycle and business strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are tied to the unique context of Tiko's work in Africa. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly the combination of formal training and practical, impactful experience. These are key selling points for ambitious junior professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research in a challenging environment with limited resources. What methods did you use, and what were the outcomes?" (Assesses adaptability, problem-solving, and field research skills).

• "How would you approach understanding the barriers adolescent girls face in accessing health services in rural Kenya, using qualitative methods?" (Tests research design, user empathy, and understanding of Tiko's context).

• "Imagine our product analytics show a high drop-off rate at a specific point in the user journey. How would you use qualitative research to understand the 'why' behind this metric?" (Evaluates ability to triangulate data and design diagnostic research).

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights directly led to a significant product change or design decision. What was your process?" (Assesses impact, synthesis, and communication of research findings). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Tiko's mission and our work with adolescent girls in Africa?" (Tests alignment with the company's social impact goals).

• "How do you approach building trust and rapport with research participants from diverse cultural backgrounds?" (Assesses interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity).

• "Describe your ideal team environment. How do you prefer to collaborate with product designers, product managers, and data scientists?" (Evaluates cultural fit and collaboration style).

• "How do you prioritize your work when faced with multiple research requests or tight deadlines?" (Assesses time management and prioritization skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each project as a narrative – the problem, your approach, the insights discovered, and the impact.

• Visuals: Use clear visuals like journey maps, personas, and screenshots of prototypes or findings to illustrate your points.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to detail your methodology, participant selection, and data synthesis techniques.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, highlight any measurable outcomes or improvements that resulted from your research.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, challenges faced, and how you handled them.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe for practical experience, problem-solving skills, user empathy, and an understanding of Tiko's mission. Preparing specific examples from past projects and demonstrating an understanding of the company's context will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided apply link on the Tiko careers page.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects that best demonstrate your qualitative research skills, synthesis abilities, and impact. Ensure these showcase your process from research planning to actionable insights.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight relevant experience in field research, qualitative methodologies, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience with the specific user groups Tiko serves. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your passion for Tiko's mission and how your skills can contribute to their user-centered product development. Practice explaining your portfolio projects with a focus on process and outcomes.

• Research Tiko: Familiarize yourself with Tiko's work, mission, and the challenges they aim to address. Understand their operational model and target beneficiaries.

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

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