Job Description
BDD Academy is looking for a Product Manager to lead the development, management and implementation of a platform, related to a 16-month project, funded by a major international organization. The project will bring together the public sector, private sector, key digital technology players, educational institutions, and vulnerable young people. It aims to develop a more equitable, systematic and empowering bridge from skills training to employment opportunities in the digital economy, while enhancing the labor intermediation between supply, demand, educational providers and policy-makers. The Product Manager will be responsible for the development, management and implementation of the online platform, whilst liaising with local and international key suppliers and partners. The Product Manager will also have to liaise very closely with the director responsible for the training stream of the project. She/he will be responsible for leading the successful implementation of the platform to achieve the intended objective and will be the primary point of contact with the donors in that regard.
Role and Responsibilities:
Responsible for managing the implementation of the platform using agile methodologies by working closely with an implementation partner and being supported by a 3rd party for architecture review and user acceptance testing.
Prototype & Test
- Oversee the development of key UX concepts/wireframes
- Test wireframes with users and refine
Develop first Release
- Write and prioritize user stories and define acceptance criteria
- Oversee backlog grooming, triage and prioritization, and cross-functional coordination
- Oversee technology stack selection
- Oversee Platform architecture development supported by a 3rd party
- Oversee agile development of platform
- Oversee documentation development
- Oversee User Acceptance Testing supported by a 3rd party
- Oversee business /content development
- Oversee development of micro-credential framework and platform content
- Oversee development of marketing & user acquisition / retention strategy
- Oversee development of content for self-help sections
Soft launch
- Lead initial deployment with a small number of users
Full Launch (with communication & outreach)
- Lead deployment on a national scale coupled with marketing campaigns and activations
- Oversee user onboarding
- Oversee customer Support
- Oversee technical and content development of upcoming release based on roadmap and on traction of 1st release
Report
- Write report on lessons learnt and roadmap for the upcoming stage
Stakeholder Management
- Establish and maintain a high level of credibility with internal and external partners
- Break down complex problems and efficiently use data and analytics layered against high-quality user research to inform the direction of the product
- Track progress, assess risks, coordinate delivery, and actively communicate contingency and mitigation plans for the team
- Run various ad-hoc research and business analyses to assess opportunities and risks
- Modify and revise existing designs to meet changing preferences
- Collect and interpret both qualitative and quantitative feedback
Qualifications:
- Master’s in Business Administration/IT or related field
- 6 - 8 years of experience in product management or comparable roles
- Demonstrated success designing and launching excellent products
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with Design thinking and agile approaches
- Proven analytical skills and metrics-driven decision making
- User-centric approach with a passion for compelling user experiences
- Technical background
- Proficiency in MS Office
- Fluent in English and Arabic
Skills:
- Flexible and able to multitask in an ambiguous and fast-moving environment
- Strategic thinking, problem-solving and results-driven mindset
- Dynamic, creative personality, effective at engaging and influencing a variety of audiences
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
- Effective report writing, presentation, and documentation skills
- Proven experience in all phases of the design process including user research, copywriting, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, interaction design, and usability testing
- An intuitive eye for customer needs beyond the obvious
- Excellent attention to detail
- A well-rounded portfolio of client work, demonstrating a strong understanding of client objectives
- Passion for design; not satisfied with the status quo and always thinking of ways to improve
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Dynamic, creative personality, effective at engaging and influencing a variety of audiences
- Abreast of the latest trends and techniques to recommend new tools and technologies
Duration:
The duration of this project is a total of 16 months. and the duration of this contract is approximately 10 months. Remuneration will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and the project budget. Based on program needs, budget availability and consultant performance, the contract may be extended.
Company Profile
Forward Mena is a non for profit organization aiming to develop the skillset of people from all backgrounds to fulfill the digital jobs of today and tomorrow. It has partnered with the World Bank Group to design and implement the Skilling Up Mashreq (SUM) initiative across Lebanon. It supports the new generation of educational programs in testing and developing their curriculum, sourcing participants and scaling. The BDD Academy is an incubator of educational programs at the intersection of design, technology and leadership targeting Kids, University Students and Continuous Learners