Product Design Volunteer

Please Note: Volunteer positions are temporary and the length of your volunteer term can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 1 year. You must be at least 21 years old to be a volunteer with us.

Organization Overview

The Tanzanian Children's Fund (TCF) works to eliminate generational poverty in rural northern Tanzania by ensuring that the children and families in this region have access to all of the care and services they need to lead healthy, secure, and fulfilling lives. Our work falls into 4 key program areas: Education, Health, Home and Family, and Economic Opportunity. You will be supporting activities in with the Rift Valley Women's Group (RVWG), a women's handicraft collective that gives women in our community the practical skills, business acumen, and supportive network that they need to advance themselves economically.

Position Overview

The Design volunteer supports the RVWG manager in enhancing the creativity, appeal, and marketability of the RVWG’s hand-woven and locally crafted products. This role focuses on product design, pattern development, color and material selection, and visual presentation to help RVWG expand its customer base and improve sales. The volunteer works closely with the manager to suggest design innovations while respecting the artisans’ traditional methods and cultural heritage.

Ideal Background & Skills

• Background or interest in design, textile design, fashion, interior design, or product development
• Experience in pattern creation, color theory, or product styling preferred
• Knowledge of digital design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) is a plus
• Creative, detail-oriented, and able to collaborate with the RVWG manager
• Strong English fluency
• Respect for traditional techniques and local culture
• Comfortable adapting designs to materials and production methods available locally

Core Expectations

• Work closely with the RVWG manager to refine product offerings and develop new designs
• Suggest design updates that increase market appeal while preserving cultural authenticity
• Help develop visual branding elements and product presentation strategies
• Provide sustainable, practical design recommendations that can be maintained by the RVWG manager

Primary Responsibilities

1. Product Design Support
   • Collaborate with the RVWG manager to enhance existing product designs 20
   • Research current design trends in home décor, textiles, and accessories (locally and internationally)
   • Suggest new product ideas, patterns, or color combinations aligned with market demand ● Ensure designs are feasible for production using locally available materials
2. Visual Branding & Presentation
   • Assist in creating attractive product photography concepts for catalogs, social media, or online sales
   • Support the design of product packaging, labeling, or display materials ● Advise on styling and presentation for customer-facing displays in lodges or shops
3. Market Research & Trend Analysis
   • Help identify design trends and customer preferences that could inform new products
   • Collaborate with the manager to prioritize design updates based on market potential
   • Suggest seasonal or special-edition product concepts for promotional campaigns
4. Documentation & Training Support
   • Document design ideas, sketches, and product concepts for future reference
   • Develop visual guides or templates that the RVWG manager can use with artisans
   • Help create a small internal design “playbook” for consistency across products

Impact of the Role

The Design volunteer strengthens the RVWG’s market presence by improving product appeal, modernizing design while respecting cultural traditions, and enhancing visual presentation for customers. By supporting creative innovation and design capacity, this role contributes directly to sales growth and the long-term sustainability of the RVWG women’s business.