This temporary position is located in the Graphic Design Unit within the Knowledge Solutions Design Section, Outreach Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Graphic Design Unit oversees the UN brand Identity and provides Secretariat-wide offices and departments with branding and graphic design services for global communication campaigns, conferences and publications. The Graphic Design Officer reports to the Team Leader of the Graphic Design Unit.
This position is available effective as soon as possible until 31 December 2022 with possibility of extension.
Within limits of delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
1. Create and develop branded products for high visibility campaigns and outreach programmes such as graphics and visual information products, data visualization, interactive websites and animations for global campaigns, conferences and outreach programmes; make comprehensive presentations of design proposals; ensure branded products are consistent and compliant across websites, social media, digital media, and physical assets.
2. Plan, develop and build upon the UN Secretariat’s brand strategy and visual identity guidelines; in close coordination with the brand and graphic design team, design comprehensive workflows for tasks as well as assignment management; troubleshoot project or process problems as they arise and initiate improvements to design, collaboration, and efficiency processes as needed.
3. Contribute to overseeing and coordinating the design and production of the Unit’s projects; establish project objectives, and lead design from the initial planning stages through completion; provide updates and solicit feedback on projects from team and stakeholders; bring state of the art practices, techniques, technologies and approaches to bear on the Organization's graphic design work.
4. Supervise designers within the team and provide them with guidance and feedback throughout the design and production process
5. Develops and proposes appropriate visuals complimenting the clients outreach messaging as reflected in the communications strategy. Also actively educates clients to better understand the importance of the UN Brand in the messaging and its application in collaterals, including various digital media taking into account institutional needs and branding policies.
6. Represent the work of the unit at various internal and external meetings; organize or participate in working groups related to the formulation of policies and procedures to streamline graphic design production and workflows; assist with administrative functions, recruitment of staff and budget planning.
7. Perform other duties as prescribed by the Team Leader of the Unit.
Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of branding and graphic design methodologies essential to develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for print and digital media projects (e.g. branding systems, outreach campaign products, data visualization, interactive websites and animations, electronic publication etc..). Very good knowledge of industry standard technologies and production processes, including digital and print publishing, web and multimedia. Proven creativity and ability to oversee and develop design that will advance the image and priorities of the UN. Ability to handle multiple design projects simultaneously and supervise a team of graphic designers. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box." Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Branding, Visual Communication and Graphic Design or related area. A first-level university degree in Branding, Visual Communication and Graphic Designer related area in combination with qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in branding, interactive applications, data visualization, animations and graphic design is required.
Advanced experience working with the Mac platform and the Adobe Creative Cloud including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign and After Effects is required.
Experience in conceptualizing, designing and implementing branding and visual identities for international organizations is required.
Experience working with the PC platform, Microsoft applications and Office 365 is desirable.
Experience with web programming languages (HTML, HTML5, CSS, Javascript) is desirable.
Working as a designer or branding expert in duty stations away from headquarters in an international environment is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment or portfolio evaluation, which then will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2022 with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 January 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
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