Graphic Arts Assistant (Temporary Job Opening) [Temporary]

This position is located in the Technical Team of the UN Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) in the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Graphic Arts Assistant reports to Senior Coordinator of the Technical Team.

The Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance (GCRG) was established by the UN Secretary-General to coordinate the global response to the worldwide impacts of the war in Ukraine. A Task Team was established under UNCTAD to provide the group with data and analysis, a platform for the creation of partnerships, coordination, and policy recommendations with the support of a Technical Team. The focus of the job is to provide clear, timely and engaging graphic solutions to better communicate to a wider audience the challenges the world is facing, and the solutions proposed. The future incumbent of this temporary position will be part of the Technical Team and will also support the work of the Task Team of the Trade Facilitation Initiative (responsible for implementing the initiative of the MoU between the Russian Federation and the Secretariat of the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets).

To support the work of the Technical Team, the Graphic Arts Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Redesigns and conceptualizes documents, moving from a text-based to a visually based communication standard and in coordination with economists and data scientists, develops charts, infographics or animations that convey large a complex data in an attractive and user-friendly way.
• Supports the development of integrated production processes that enable the team to respond fast in the elaboration of printed, web and social media material.
• Participates in initial meetings with clients to discuss potential design projects, e.g. substantive content, communication objectives, media (including electronically published products) and design options, technical specifications, costs, schedules/deadlines, etc. and recommends the best, most recent and relevant visual design style and materials suitable for diverse audience.
• Independently undertakes design assignments, including high priority requests, for a variety of UN-sponsored activities (e.g. major conferences, observances, events and campaigns, etc.); conceptualizes and develops design proposals for review by clients, which may include photographic, illustrative or more abstract graphic solutions.
• Prepares all approved designs in electronic format for final review and printing; reviews color and print proofs as required.
• Provides guidance and support throughout the project production process; coordinates and follows-up with clients and other relevant parties (e.g. copy and proofreaders, production staff, library and cartography staff, etc.) and ensures that project in on schedule.
• Coordinates with other graphic designers in the institution to ensure adherence and coherence with the graphic guidelines of UNCTAD and the United Nations.
• Performs other related work as required.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of standard industry production and printing processes, including desktop publishing, design and layout. Knowledge of internal UN and UNCTAD branding for printing, web and social media. Knowledge of photography, page layout and photograph sizing. Good graphic art skills and demonstrated ability to independently develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for varied print media projects (e.g. posters, brochures, press kits, book covers, book designs, etc.). Ability to handle multiple design projects simultaneously. 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.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

High school diploma or equivalent.

At least seven years of experience in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, or related area is required.

A minimum of five years of such experience acquired in the United Nations is desirable.

Experience in the application of the UN branding guidelines to printed and web products is desirable.

Experience in the production of innovative graphic products for printed, web and social media on economic development issues is desirable.

Experience working with video creation and animation is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in French is an advantage.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

The initial duration of this temporary job opening is for three (3) months with possibility of extension, starting as soon as possible. The extension of the appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local
recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

Vacancies at G1-G4 levels are open to both internal and external candidates, including staff members on temporary appointments. However, priority consideration will be given to existing serving staff members. New external candidates will only be considered when a serving staff member holding a Permanent, Continuing, Fixed-Term or Temporary Appointment at the time of application cannot be identified.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse
and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.

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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.