JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a Communications Design Lead with a strong human-centered design background and visual communication experience. This role focuses on translating complex research, stakeholder systems, and strategies in global development/social impact contexts into high-fidelity frameworks and visual tools. The Communications Design Lead will be responsible for visual language and communication, collaborating across teams, partners, and funders, resulting in contextualized, thoughtful, and actionable design outputs. The role requires strong visual design execution, systems thinking, and front-end UI/UX fluency, with the ability to effectively and clearly communicate complex ideas from the boardroom to community level.

JOB TYPE
This is an independent contractor (Consultancy) position, ideally based in East Africa, though candidates from elsewhere in Africa or the surrounding region may also apply. This role is scoped for 40 hours per week.

This is a 3-month contract position, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project need. The ideal start date for this role is March 1st 2026.

SCOPE OF WORK
The designer will work closely with program teams to translate complex ideas, research insights, and systems into clear, usable, and high-fidelity visual communication tools and toolkits. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Design high-fidelity frameworks, toolkits, and visuals that support strategic decision-making, learning, and alignment across internal teams, partners, and funders.
Translate complex research, program models, and frameworks into clear, accessible visual tools and toolkits.
Apply strong fluency in fundamental visual design principles (layout, hierarchy, typography, color, accessibility) to guide design processes from concept through execution.
Guide processes for understanding user needs, preferences, and behaviors, and organize these insights to inform design decisions that are aligned with organizational goals and contextual realities, ensuring design outputs are usable and adaptable.
Maintain consistency with existing brand and visual systems while extending them thoughtfully to support new frameworks and tools.
Design intuitive, accessible, and aesthetically coherent interfaces and front-end visual experiences where UI/UX skills are transferable to frameworks, tools, and digital outputs.
DELIVERABLES:
Deliverables will vary based on project needs but may include:

Detailed toolkits
Visual synthesis of research findings, insights, and reports
Service design roadmaps
Advanced journey maps
Design templates or systems that can be reused and adapted by internal teams
Data visualization/infographics
Systems maps
Any task output formally delegated by the key contact person
YOU HAVE:
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications:
Strong background in communication design.
Proven experience designing frameworks and tools, with the ability to synthesize complex research, systems, or strategies.
Ability to translate abstract or ambiguous concepts into clear, structured and informative visuals.
Advanced proficiency in collaborative design tools (e.g., Adobe, Mural, Figma).
Experience collaborating and effectively communicating with multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, academics, creatives, and C-suite leadership.
Portfolio demonstrating high-fidelity frameworks, sensemaking, strategy, and visual communication (not solely branding or marketing work).
Experience working in innovation labs, impact labs, social impact organizations, or global development contexts.
Experience designing for diverse, global, or low-resource contexts, with demonstrated experience in African contexts, including work that reflects local realities, constraints, and cultural nuance.
Understanding and advocacy of accessibility and inclusive design principles.
ABOUT YLABS’ COMPENSATION
YLabs adheres to Project Fair’s principles and standards to establish equity in pay with the overriding principle of “equal pay for work of equal value” outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. All salary ranges are based on level within the organization and are competitive to regional and national salary benchmarks based on the respective office location.

PAY RATE
The pay range for this position is 262,260 RWF to 364,250 RWF, tax inclusive, equivalent to USD 180 to USD 250 per day, tax inclusive, commensurate with experience. This range is regionally benchmarked for a Lead-level position in East Africa.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This posting will be open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an expected start date of April 1, 2026; all applications submitted within the posting period will be reviewed by our Hiring Committee. YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; only qualified candidates will be notified of their application status once the hiring process begins.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. All YLabs offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory background checks and criminal record clearances.