Digital Support Intern Cape Town - Persons with Disabilities - EE

Ellahi Consulting; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellahi Consulting seeks a Design Thinking Practitioner Leanership (one year fixed term contract and office based) to be trained and mentored in human-centred research, ideation, prototyping and iterative design. Location: Claremont, Cape Town (office based).

The role focuses on applying design thinking to understand user needs, identify opportunities for innovation, and improve products, services and workplace processes, with guidance and structured mentorship provided throughout the year.

Qualifications

• A Design Thinking Practitioner qualification is relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of design thinking methodologies, human-centred design and innovation processes.
• Understanding of research methods, creative problem-solving and project management principles.
• Knowledge of computer technology and its application in the workplace.

Responsibilities

• Apply design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement across business processes and services.
• Use human-centred approaches to develop solutions that address user needs.
• Apply design thinking principles to workplace innovation initiatives.
• Conduct research to understand user needs, behaviours and experiences.
• Develop empathy for target audiences through appropriate research methods.
• Conduct applied ethnographic research where required.
• Analyse research findings and use insights to inform design decisions.
• Facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative workshops.
• Encourage creative thinking and participation among stakeholders.
• Support collaboration in developing innovative ideas and practical solutions.
• Contribute to a culture of human-centred innovation.
• Develop prototypes to explore and communicate potential solutions.
• Test proposed solutions with users and gather feedback.
• Apply iterative design processes to refine solutions.
• Use feedback loops to improve usability, customer experience and product design outcomes.
• Apply relevant design thinking governance, legislation and ethical principles.
• Conduct research responsibly and consider user needs throughout the design process.
• Apply ethical and effective workplace practices.
• Use appropriate computer technologies and digital tools to support design thinking activities.
• Apply project management principles to design thinking initiatives.
• Contribute to creative innovation solution design.
• Support the implementation of design thinking projects and workplace improvements.
• Promote continuous learning, collaboration and the effective application of future skills.
• Improved understanding of user needs and customer experiences.
• Innovative solutions to business and workplace challenges.
• Effective use of research to inform design decisions.
• Tested and refined prototypes and proposed solutions.
• Improved collaboration and ideation processes.
• Continuous improvement in product design and customer experience.

Skills

Design thinking fundamentals

Human-centred research

Facilitation & workshops

Empathy for users

Ethnographic research

Prototyping & testing

Collaboration & teamwork

Communication & listening

Project management basics

Workplace innovation

Education

Design Thinking Practitioner qualification

Job description

EE Designation: This role is designated for South African Employment Equity applicants - Persons with Disabilities only, in line with the South African Employment Equity Act.

To assist us with our recruitment process, applicants are requested to specify the nature of their disability, provide a valid medical certificate, and indicate if any reasonable accommodations will be required within the workplace. Please note that accommodation (housing) and transport to and from work are NOT provided by the employer.

Job Title

Design Thinking Practitioner Leanership (one year fixed term contract and office based), you will be trained and mentored to do the duties listed below.
Location: Claremont, Cape Town (office based)

Company Overview

The company seeks to apply human-centred design methodologies, creative problem-solving and innovation processes to address business challenges, understand user needs and improve customer and product outcomes.

Job Purpose

To apply design thinking principles and methodologies to understand user needs, identify opportunities for innovation, develop creative solutions and improve products, services and workplace processes. The role focuses on human-centred research, collaborative ideation, prototyping, user testing and continuous improvement.

Requirements and Qualifications

Educational Qualifications

• A Design Thinking Practitioner qualification is relevant to the role.

• Knowledge of design thinking methodologies, human-centred design and innovation processes.

• Understanding of research methods, creative problem-solving and project management principles.

• Knowledge of computer technology and its application in the workplace.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of design thinking fundamentals and their benefits.

• Knowledge of human-centred innovation and positive psychology.

• Ability to conduct user research and develop empathy for target audiences.

• Understanding of applied ethnographic research and research-informed design processes.

• Ability to facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative workshops.

• Ability to develop creative and innovative solutions.

• Knowledge of prototyping, user testing and iterative design processes.

• Understanding of design thinking governance, legislation and ethics.

• Knowledge of project management principles and methodologies.

• Ability to apply design thinking to workplace innovation.

• Understanding of collaboration and effective workplace practices.

• Ability to use feedback to improve customer experience and product design outcomes.

Essential Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Creative and analytical problem-solving.

• Human-centred thinking and empathy.

• Innovation and continuous improvement.

• Collaboration and teamwork.

• Effective communication and facilitation.

• Research and information-gathering skills.

• Adaptability and openness to feedback.

• Ethical decision-making and responsible research practices.

• Ability to translate user insights into practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Design Thinking and Problem-Solving

• Apply design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems.

• Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement across business processes and services.

• Use human-centred approaches to develop solutions that address user needs.

• Apply design thinking principles to workplace innovation initiatives.

User Research and Insight Development

• Conduct research to understand user needs, behaviours and experiences.

• Develop empathy for target audiences through appropriate research methods.

• Conduct applied ethnographic research where required.

• Analyse research findings and use insights to inform design decisions.

Ideation and Collaborative Workshops

• Facilitate ideation sessions and collaborative workshops.

• Encourage creative thinking and participation among stakeholders.

• Support collaboration in developing innovative ideas and practical solutions.

• Contribute to a culture of human-centred innovation.

Prototyping, Testing and Iteration

• Develop prototypes to explore and communicate potential solutions.

• Test proposed solutions with users and gather feedback.

• Apply iterative design processes to refine solutions.

• Use feedback loops to improve usability, customer experience and product design outcomes.

Governance, Ethics and Workplace Effectiveness

• Apply relevant design thinking governance, legislation and ethical principles.

• Conduct research responsibly and consider user needs throughout the design process.

• Apply ethical and effective workplace practices.

• Use appropriate computer technologies and digital tools to support design thinking activities.

Project Management and Innovation

• Apply project management principles to design thinking initiatives.

• Contribute to creative innovation solution design.

• Support the implementation of design thinking projects and workplace improvements.

• Promote continuous learning, collaboration and the effective application of future skills.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved understanding of user needs and customer experiences.

• Innovative solutions to business and workplace challenges.

• Effective use of research to inform design decisions.

• Tested and refined prototypes and proposed solutions.

• Improved collaboration and ideation processes.

• Continuous improvement in product design and customer experience.