Project Overview
Project Description
Splash Social Enterprises (SSE) is committed to advancing its product offerings to address critical challenges in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector through thoughtful design and manufacturing. Recent research activities in East Africa have highlighted two interrelated challenges that significantly impair the success of WASH programs, often resulting in reduced program effectiveness or complete failure. To address these issues, SSE is seeking a Fellow to support on two potential projects:
Project 1: Conducting research, discovery, and conceptualization of a durable, tamper-resistant, theft-proof, and universally retrofittable tap. This solution will be cost-effective, pragmatically designed, and suitable for local manufacturing. Tap failure is central to the breakdown of many WASH programs. As taps are installed on every station, their durability and security are critical. SSE has addressed this challenge in its V3 Hand Washing Station with a patented spigot; however, some challenges remain, including the design being universally compatible or retrofittable to other station designs, and accessibility for wheelchair users. Additionally, taps are often subject to theft or rapid degradation leading to frequent breakdowns. When not replaced, these failures render water dispensing facilities unusable, which can severely undermine WASH programs, compromise hygiene practices, lead to the resurgence of waterborne health issues, and reduce school attendance for girls.
Project 2: Conducting research, discovery, and development of a durable, aesthetically appealing, branded, and child-friendly portable handwashing and drinking water station. This station will be designed to foster positive WASH behaviors, be accessible to all ages, and be locally manufacturable at a competitive price point. Current SSE products are designed primarily for institutional settings with access to piped water, limiting the ability to meet the needs of environments lacking plumbing. In these contexts, portable or container-based handwashing and drinking water stations are essential. Current design challenges include durability of the portable stations, child-friendly features, visual appeal, and user-centered design.
Impact
Addressing these issues will transform access to quality WASH infrastructure, reduce WASH-related health risks, and improve school attendance for girls by ensuring consistent access to water facilities. By solving these challenges, SSE will not only enhance its product portfolio but also elevate WASH solutions across both institutional and community levels.
Eligibility Criteria
Skills / Experience
- Required:
- CAD Modeling & Rendering
- Human Centered Design
- Manufacturing/Design for Manufacturing
- Research
- Desired:
- Ability to conceptualise multiple ideas through CAD and sketching
- Understanding of manufacturing processes
- Passion for problem-led pragmatic design and designing for impact within a social enterprise setting
- Knowledge of WASH
- Previous product design/launch experience
Discipline:
- Mechanical engineering / product design / industrial design or other relevant discipline
Software proficiency:
- Required: Fusion 360 or similar
Time zone compatibility (when the Fellow should be available for meetings):
- GMT/BST (UTC+0/1)
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