Academic:

• At least an undergraduate degree.
  
• Certification in HCD, Design thinking, working backwards or equivalent is added advantage
  

Essential:

• 7+ years in product/UX design roles, with at least 3 years operating at strategic level (not just execution)
  
• Demonstrated ability to define design vision and philosophy - not just execute briefs - with portfolio evidence of strategic thinking
  
• Experience designing fintech, payments, or digital financial services - understanding the constraints of regulated environments and complex user journeys
  
• Proven ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders (C-suite, product/tech leads) on design decisions - with examples of winning hard arguments
  
• Strong design foundations: user research, interaction design, information architecture, visual design - can critique and coach across all areas
  
• Experience managing small design teams (2-10 people) - building capability, not just coordinating work
  
• Exceptional communication skills: can articulate complex design thinking clearly to non-designers, including executives and boards
  

Highly Desirable:

• International design experience, where design is embedded as strategic discipline, not afterthought
  
• Experience designing wallet, super-app, or platform products (not single-feature apps)
  
• Track record of building design function from scratch or transforming weak design culture
  
• Experience working in African markets - understanding context of connectivity, literacy, trust, regulation
  
• Background in service design, design systems, or design operations