JOB DETAILS:
Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian non-profit organization using radio, mobile telephony and other digital tools and services to meet the information and communication rights – at scale – of rural and marginalized communities in sub-Saharan Africa. For rural families in Africa, access to information and communication, e.g. about agriculture, climate change, livelihoods, health and nutrition, are critical needs. FRI is committed to gender equality and inclusion as a cross-cutting priority as well as an end in itself. Our communication solutions are designed to respond to and transform gender relations and the participation of women, youth and marginalized groups at each stage of program design and delivery processes. Obtain more details from the Farm Radio website.
With funding from the Wehubit program of ENABEL, Farm Radio International (FRI) is implementing the Longa - Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) for African Languages (Longa) project from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026. The aim of the project is to transform speech into actionable text with high accuracy and contextual awareness. The project is being developed by FRI with support from CGIAR, leveraging advanced machine learning and natural language processing techniques. For instance, Longa will be used to analyze and respond to the growing number of voice messages that FRI’s radio station partners receive from small-holder farmers through interactive radio programs on our Uliza interactive application. The ‘primary users’ of Longa are the radio station staff – radio presenters or producers, and FRI or other organisations who are gathering voice-based information from farmers/listeners. The ‘end-users’ are the people who listen to the radio programs - the project participants that FRI targets: men and women small-scale farmers. The anticipated outcomes of the project are as follows:
• Improve accuracy for Luganda language and accents recorded via phone call
• Replicate the ASR model for the Bambara language
• Integrate ASR application in FRI’s communication cloud platform for broadcasters

MANDATE
To enhance the performance and reliability of the ASR system and revolutionize how users interact with speech data through our Uliza interactive application, Farm Radio is looking for a talented UI
Designer to join our team and drive the design and improvement of the Uliza web application. The ideal candidate will have a passion for creating user-centric interfaces, an eye for detail, and experience designing complex web applications with a focus on usability and accessibility. During that time the volunteer will:

SCOPE OF WORK
Develop user interface designs for the Uliza web application, ensuring alignment with user needs and business goals.
Create wireframes, mockups, and prototypes that clearly illustrate design ideas and user interactions.
Translate complex ASR functionalities into intuitive and visually appealing UI components.
Work with the UX writer and researcher to conduct user research to gather insights into user needs and behaviours related to ASR technology.
Perform usability testing to identify pain points and areas for improvement in the current UI.
Analyze feedback and data to refine design solutions and enhance user experience.
Work closely with a UX writer and researcher, developers, and a product manager to ensure seamless integration of design with technical functionality.
Participate in design reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to iterate on design solutions.
Develop and maintain design systems, including style guides and component libraries, to ensure consistency across the web application.
Stay up-to-date with design trends and best practices, particularly those relevant to ASR and web applications.
Prepare detailed design specifications and assets for developers, ensuring clear communication of design intent and interactions.
Document design decisions and maintain design-related documentation for future reference.

DELIVERABLES
UI Designs:
• High-fidelity mockups for web application screens, including interactive elements, icons, and other UI components.
• Prototypes demonstrating user flows and interactions within the application.
Wireframes & User Flows:
• Low-fidelity wireframes outlining the layout and structure of the application.
• User flows detailing the steps users take to accomplish tasks within the application.
Design Documentation:
• Design specifications and guidelines for developers, including color schemes, typography, and spacing.
• Documentation of user research findings and usability test results.
Design System:
• A comprehensive design system including reusable components, style guides, and patterns specific to the Uliza application.
Usability Reports:
• Reports summarizing usability testing results and providing actionable recommendations for design improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Able to work effectively in English
• Proven experience as a UI Designer, with a portfolio showcasing your work on web applications, preferably in the tech or ASR space.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or similar.
• Strong understanding of user-centered design principles and best practices for web applications.
• Experience with usability testing and user research methodologies.
• Strong experience in training and facilitation
• Excellent intercultural communication skills
EXPENSES
FRI will cover costs related to the delivery of the volunteer assignment, including transportation and monthly stipends.