IDEO.org is out to design an end to poverty by bringing creativity, empathy, and innovation to the social sector. Our goal is to improve the lives of people in poor and vulnerable communities through design and we’re doing it in three ways: through the products, services, and experiences that we design; through the problem solvers we fuel; and by inspiring the social sector to adopt human-centered design.

IDEO.org is working with the Rockefeller Foundation for nine month period to develop a strategy to enhance the innovation capabilities of its grantees. Together we want to explore new ways of highlighting, amplifying, and supporting innovation at the organizations that the Rockefeller Foundation supports. We’ll conduct design research with a set of organizations in the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa, run some prototypes and pilots, and develop a comprehensive strategy with the foundation. Ultimately, we will find a way to ensure that when an organization is a grantee of the Rockefeller Foundation, that they are in the strongest possible position to create, sustain, and grow the impact they want to have in the world.

IDEO.org is looking for an Organizational Designer to join our Launchpad team. You might have a background in service design, organizational transformation, or change management. In any case, you’re someone with experience in human-centered design and strong project management skills. And we’re hoping you will join our team in New York for a 9 month engagement (March 15 - December 2016). 

You will be joining a team with deep experience in emerging markets whom you will work with for 3 months of foundational research, ideation, initial concept development, and prototype planning. After the initial design project, you will continue to work for 6 months with a select group of Rockefeller grantees and you will manage three prototypes identified during the first phase of the project. One or two of these prototypes will likely be run by you and others on the IDEO.org team, with the remainder being run by an external partner. 

Our ideal candidate has a proven track record in human-centered design with an emphasis on organizational transformation and innovation capability building and is comfortable learning in a hands on way. You have strong communication and project management skills, as well as strong monitoring and evaluation experience and the ability to document changes that you see in organizations as the prototypes are run. You will be deeply connected with the organizations running the prototypes and will be responsible for leading the synthesis of learnings and revising the strategy based on the these learnings.

Expect to travel internationally 25% of the time.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has proven experience with organizational design and organizational transformation
• Has experience with human-centered design, including with design research, synthesis, and prototyping 
• Can work with the team to move from insights and recommendations to a clear actionable strategy for the Rockefeller Foundation
• Has strong project management skills, including scoping, timelines, budgets, and partner management and communications 
• Has experience working with the social sector, including familiarity with foundations and domestic and international nonprofits
• Is flexible and can adapt his/her approach to fit the project needs and constraints
• Is a self-starter; can initiate work for him/herself and work both autonomously and collaboratively (as given situation requires)
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills

Please upload your resume and cover letter.  Portfolios optional.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis for a hire before the start of the project in March 2016.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.