UX Researcher

M-KOPA

NairobiRemotefull time~KES 150k – 220k/mo3w ago

Quick Take

The Role

Plan and run qualitative research, usability tests, and field studies with M-KOPA customers, then translate findings into clear insights that guide product and design decisions.

You Need

At least 3 years of UX or design research experience, proven ability to conduct research with low-income African consumers, and strong proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative methods.

You Get

A competitive above-market salary (KES 150K–220K), the chance to shape research culture at a high-impact fintech serving 5 million+ Africans, and deep cross-functional influence alongside product and design teams.

Job Description

•Role Overview

M-KOPA is a pan-African company that has built lasting relationships with more than 5 million customers by delivering smartphones, solar energy solutions, and accessible financial services across the continent. As the company continues to grow its impact, it is looking to bring on board a talented UX Researcher based in Nairobi who will play a central role in ensuring that every product decision is firmly rooted in a genuine understanding of customer needs and lived experiences.

In this role, you will act as the voice of the customer within M-KOPA's product teams, conducting meaningful research that translates real-world insights into better, more inclusive product experiences. You will work at the intersection of research, design, and product strategy — helping the organisation stay connected to the people it serves.

•Key Responsibilities

Design and carry out qualitative research activities — including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and on-the-ground field studies — directly with M-KOPA customers
Facilitate usability testing sessions on upcoming features and design concepts ahead of product launches
Analyse and synthesise research data into coherent insights, translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations for the wider team
Collaborate closely with product managers and designers at every stage of the product development lifecycle
Develop and maintain M-KOPA's centralised research repository, while actively promoting a culture that places the user at the heart of decision-making

•Required Skills & Experience

A minimum of three years of hands-on experience in UX research or design research
Demonstrated experience conducting user research with low-income consumer segments across African markets
Working proficiency with survey tools, usability testing platforms, and Figma
Excellent storytelling and presentation abilities, with the capacity to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences
Strong command of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies

•Who Should Apply

This position is best suited for a curious and empathetic researcher who is passionate about designing products that genuinely work for everyday people across Africa. You thrive in cross-functional environments, are comfortable going into the field to meet customers where they are, and can turn nuanced human stories into strategic product direction. If you have a proven track record of advocating for underserved users and influencing product teams through compelling research, M-KOPA wants to hear from you.

•How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply for the UX Researcher position through M-KOPA's official recruitment channels. Ensure your application clearly highlights your relevant research experience, particularly any work conducted with low-income consumer audiences in Africa.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

3+ years of UX or design research experience
Experience conducting research with low-income consumers in Africa
Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods
Strong storytelling and presentation skills to communicate insights to stakeholders
Experience with survey tools, usability testing platforms, and Figma

Nice to Have

Experience building or managing a centralised research repository
Background in financial services, solar energy, or mobile technology products
Familiarity with Swahili or other local languages to facilitate field research
Experience championing user-centred design culture within an organisation

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Above market rate for a UX Researcher in Nairobi

Mid-level UX Researchers in Nairobi typically earn between KES 80,000 and KES 150,000 per month, making M-KOPA's upper range of KES 220,000 notably competitive and more aligned with senior-level compensation. Pay in this field is driven by experience with African consumer segments, familiarity with mixed-methods research, and the employer's scale — factors M-KOPA clearly values.

About M-KOPA

M-KOPA is a leading African fintech and consumer technology company that provides smartphones, solar energy products, and financial services on flexible pay-as-you-go terms to over 5 million customers across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana. Founded in Nairobi, the company is widely recognised for using mobile money infrastructure to extend credit and essential technology to underserved communities who lack access to traditional banking. Working at M-KOPA means contributing to a mission-driven organisation with genuine continental scale, a strong engineering culture, and a clear commitment to improving lives through technology.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through a research project you conducted with low-income or rural consumers in Africa — what methods did you use and how did you adapt for the context?
2
How do you synthesise large volumes of qualitative data into insights that a product team can act on quickly? Can you give a concrete example?
3
Describe a time when your research findings significantly changed a product decision. What was the outcome?
4
How would you design a usability test for a feature targeting first-time smartphone users with low digital literacy?
5
What does a good research repository look like to you, and how would you go about building one from scratch at M-KOPA?

Application Tips

Lead with specific examples of research conducted with low-income or informal-sector consumers in Africa — this is the single most differentiating requirement in the posting and should appear prominently in your CV and cover letter.
Showcase your ability to bridge research and action by highlighting moments where your insights directly influenced a product or design outcome, ideally with a measurable result.
Include a portfolio or case studies that demonstrate your storytelling and presentation skills — even a brief PDF showing how you turned raw findings into a clear, visual insight deck will set you apart from candidates who only list methods.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

UX Designer with a research focus

Market Research Analyst (consumer or mobile/fintech)

YOU

Where this leads

Senior UX Researcher or Lead Researcher

Head of User Research / Research Director

Skills & Keywords

User ResearchUsability TestingFigmaSurvey DesignQualitative Research

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Salary range (KES 150K–220K) is transparently stated and sits above the Nairobi market average for this role, signalling a serious and well-resourced employer.
M-KOPA's scale of 5 million+ customers across Africa means research will have real, measurable impact on underserved communities — a strong motivator for mission-driven candidates.
The role involves cross-functional collaboration with both product managers and designers, offering broad visibility and influence across the organisation.
Building the research repository from the ground up is a rare opportunity to shape research culture and practice at an established company, which accelerates career growth significantly.

Watch Out

The posting does not mention remote or hybrid work options, which may be a concern for candidates outside Nairobi or those who value flexibility.
No mention of team size or reporting structure — it is unclear whether this researcher would be working solo or joining an existing research function, which affects day-to-day support and growth.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Early in the week you might spend Monday morning preparing a discussion guide and logistics for mid-week customer interviews in Nairobi's Eastlands or a peri-urban area, coordinating with a local recruiter to find participants who match M-KOPA's customer profile. By Wednesday you could be running back-to-back usability sessions on a new mobile lending feature using a Figma prototype, noting where users hesitate or misread prompts. Thursday and Friday are typically spent in synthesis — clustering observations in an affinity map, drafting an insight deck in Google Slides, and presenting key findings in a product squad review so designers and PMs can act before the next sprint begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a UX Researcher at M-KOPA?

You need at least 3 years of UX or design research experience, demonstrated ability to conduct research with low-income consumers in Africa, and proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as tools like Figma and usability testing platforms.

Is the UX Researcher role at M-KOPA remote or office-based?

The posting lists the location as Nairobi with no mention of remote or hybrid options, so candidates should assume an in-person or Nairobi-based role and confirm the working arrangement directly with M-KOPA during the application process.

How much does a UX Researcher earn at M-KOPA?

M-KOPA is offering KES 150,000 to KES 220,000 per month, which is above the typical Nairobi market rate for this role and aligns more closely with senior-level UX research compensation in Kenya.

What are the career growth opportunities for a UX Researcher at M-KOPA?

This role includes a mandate to build M-KOPA's research repository and champion user-centred culture, positioning a successful candidate for progression into a Senior Researcher or Head of Research role as the function grows across M-KOPA's expanding African markets.

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