📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Terms of Reference Podcast Set Designer
🔹 Company: Girl Effect
🔹 Location: Ethiopia
🔹 Job Type: Contractor
🔹 Category: Design
🔹 Date Posted: July 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Designing an intimate, visually striking podcast studio that balances aesthetic appeal with technical requirements
- Collaborating with a production team to ensure the design supports cinematic lighting and minimizes acoustic issues
- Working within a defined budget and sourcing furniture and decor locally
- Creating a detailed design concept, floor plan, and FF&E schedule
- Potentially overseeing the final installation and arrangement of the set
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a creative and resourceful designer with experience in designing intimate commercial spaces or production sets, and an understanding of how to design for the camera.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Create a detailed design concept with mood boards, color palettes, and texture samples that align with the "modern, cool, lived-in Addis" vision
✅ Develop a floor plan and layout for the existing space, optimizing for a three-camera setup, comfortable host-guest interaction, and crew movement
✅ Select, source, or custom-design all furniture, background elements, and decor, ensuring they fit within the overall set-design budget
✅ Consult with the Director and Sound Engineer to ensure the design supports cinematic lighting and minimizes acoustic issues like echo
✅ Create a detailed list of all furniture and decor items, with supplier information and costings, to fit within the overall set-design budget
✅ Potentially oversee the final installation and arrangement of the set to ensure the design vision is executed perfectly
ASSUMPION: The responsibilities listed are comprehensive and cover all aspects of designing a podcast studio, from concept to execution.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: A relevant degree in Interior Design, Set Design, or a related field
Experience: 2-5 years of experience in designing intimate commercial spaces or production sets
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in designing intimate, textured, and modern spaces
- Keen eye for detail, texture, and creating a specific mood through design
- Understanding of how to design for the camera, considering factors like lighting, color palettes, background depth, and camera angles
- Ability to work within a defined budget and source furniture and decor locally
- Creative problem-solving skills and ability to translate a conceptual brief into a tangible, beautiful space
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with a production team on a multi-camera video production
- Knowledge of the Ethiopian design scene and local suppliers
ASSUMPTION: The required and preferred skills listed are essential for a designer to successfully complete the project within the given timeframe and budget.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this role is not specified in the job description. However, based on industry standards for a mid-level interior or set designer in Ethiopia, the estimated salary range is between 150,000 ETB and 250,000 ETB per month.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to work on a high-profile project with a reputable international non-profit organization
- Potential to expand professional network and portfolio
- Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and negotiation skills.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Girl Effect operates in the non-profit sector, focusing on empowering adolescent girls and youth through media and on-the-ground interventions.
Company Size: Girl Effect has 51-200 employees globally, with a significant presence in Ethiopia.
Founded: Girl Effect was founded in 2008 and has been operating in Ethiopia since 2013.
Company Description:
- Girl Effect is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing challenges faced by adolescent girls and youth in Ethiopia.
- The organization leverages Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies, combining media and on-the-ground interventions to tackle various societal issues and empower young people.
- Girl Effect Ethiopia created the youth brand Yegna in 2014 and has since then reached over 10 million people through multiple products, outreach programs, girl networks, and research pieces.
Company Specialties:
- Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategies
- Media and on-the-ground interventions
- Youth empowerment and girl-focused programming
Company Website: https://www.girleffect.org
ASSUMPTION: Understanding Girl Effect's mission and values is crucial for applicants to ensure their personal goals align with the organization's objectives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level career stage, requiring 2-5 years of experience in interior or set design.
Reporting Structure: The Set Designer will report directly to the Ethiopia Create team and collaborate with the production team, including the Director and Sound Engineer.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position with an estimated duration from August 18, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
Growth Opportunities:
- Expanding professional network and portfolio
- Potential to work on future projects with Girl Effect
- Opportunity to gain experience working with a production team on a multi-camera video production
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities for the right candidate, allowing them to expand their professional network and gain valuable experience.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Girl Effect Ethiopia operates in a modern, collaborative office environment in Addis Ababa.
Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Addis Ababa, with potential on-site work at the podcast studio location.
Geographic Context:
- Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, with a population of over 3.3 million people.
- The city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with a growing number of international organizations and NGOs based there.
- Addis Ababa offers a mix of modern urban living and traditional Ethiopian culture, with a diverse range of dining, entertainment, and shopping options.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is primarily Monday to Friday, with flexible hours based on project demands.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in a dynamic, multicultural environment and be able to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in Ethiopia.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial screening of proposals based on the technical and financial proposals submitted
- Shortlisting of candidates for further assessment
- Interviews with the shortlisted candidates
- Final selection and contract negotiation
Key Assessment Areas:
- Portfolio quality and relevance to the project
- Creative interpretation of the design brief
- Budgeting and costing skills
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Understanding of the Ethiopian design scene and local suppliers
Application Tips:
- Tailor the portfolio to showcase relevant projects that demonstrate the ability to create intimate, textured, and modern spaces
- Provide a clear and concise written description or visual mood board that interprets the "modern, cool, lived-in Addis" brief
- Highlight any relevant experience working with a production team on a multi-camera video production
- Clearly outline the proposed flat project fee for the complete design service/all deliverables
ATS Keywords: Interior Design, Set Design, Spatial Planning, Budgeting, Collaboration, Creative Problem-Solving, Sourcing, Technical Knowledge, Mood Board Creation, Furniture Selection, Acoustic Design, Visual Communication, Project Management, Color Palette Selection, Lighting Design, Texture Selection, Floor Plan Development
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully review the job description and tailor their application materials to highlight the required skills and experiences mentioned.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- AutoCAD or similar 2D/3D design software
- Photoshop or similar image editing software
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant design software and project management tools is essential for the successful candidate to manage the project efficiently.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Girl Effect values include being girl-focused, innovative, collaborative, and accountable.
- The organization prioritizes empowering adolescent girls and youth, fostering a culture of learning and growth, and encouraging creativity and innovation.
Work Style:
- Girl Effect encourages a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on teamwork and open communication.
- The organization values creativity, innovation, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
- Girl Effect promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports the well-being of its employees.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Girl Effect's mission to empower adolescent girls and youth through media and on-the-ground interventions?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic, multicultural environment and able to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in Ethiopia?
- Do you possess strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with a production team?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider their personal values and work style preferences to ensure a good fit with Girl Effect's organizational culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The project has a tight timeline, requiring the Set Designer to work efficiently and meet deadlines
- The project budget is fixed, and the Set Designer must work within the constraints to deliver a high-quality design
- The project requires collaboration with a production team, which may present unique challenges and require flexibility
- The project is based in Ethiopia, which may present logistical and cultural challenges for international applicants
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be aware of the potential challenges and be prepared to address them proactively throughout the project.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on designing a podcast studio for a non-profit organization, with a specific brief and budget
- Similar roles may include interior or set designers working on commercial or residential projects, with varying budgets and timelines
- This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a high-profile project with a reputable international non-profit organization, with potential growth opportunities
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should carefully consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and interests.
📝 Sample Projects
- Designing an intimate, visually striking podcast studio for a non-profit organization, with a specific brief and budget
- Collaborating with a production team to ensure the design supports cinematic lighting and minimizes acoustic issues like echo
- Working within a defined budget and sourcing furniture and decor locally
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed provide a clear understanding of the key responsibilities and requirements for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow for a project like this, from concept to execution?
- How does Girl Effect support collaboration and communication between designers and production teams?
- What are the key priorities for this project, and how can I ensure my design aligns with them?
- What are the expected deliverables and milestones for this project?
- How does Girl Effect measure the success of a project like this, and what metrics will be used to evaluate my performance?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and commitment to delivering a successful project.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit a proposal by email with the subject line "Podcast Set Designer - Ethiopia" to suppliers@girleffect.org by July 22, 2025
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing relevant projects that demonstrate the ability to create intimate, textured, and modern spaces
- Provide a short written description or visual mood board that interprets the "modern, cool, lived-in Addis" brief
- Highlight any relevant experience working with a production team on a multi-camera video production
- Clearly outline the proposed flat project fee for the complete design service/all deliverables
- Follow up with Girl Effect after submitting the proposal to confirm receipt and inquire about the next steps in the application process
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
