Background
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
UN Women’s Pacific Office (MCO) works with governments and civil society organizations across 14 Pacific Island countries and territories to address gender inequality, empower women and build more inclusive societies. Over the last 10 years, Pacific Island countries have taken significant strides towards committing to the protection and promotion of human rights. Despite this, discrimination against women and gender inequality are widely known as the most pervasive and prevalent human rights violations in the Pacific. There remains much work ahead.
While women are increasingly active in the business sector, they are still overrepresented in the informal sector, more likely to be in low-wage or unpaid family employment, and more likely to be affected by an economic crisis, as well as climate and health emergencies. The Pacific still has the lowest global percentages of women in leadership roles, including the world’s lowest overall average of women in parliament.
And although women are now more protected by domestic violence laws passed across the region, the Pacific still has twice the global average of violence against women. When increasingly severe natural disasters strike, women face higher risks of violence and illness and decreased access to critical services like healthcare, shelter, and food. The issues that women face in the Pacific are complex and often compounding, and UN Women works to address these interlinking issues through four programme areas:
- Governance and Participation in Public Life.
- Women’s Economic Empowerment.
- Ending Violence against Women and Girls.
- Climate Action/Humanitarian Action and Resilience
The UN Women Pacific Office covers Fiji, Solomon Islands, The Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands with a presence in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
UN Women in the Pacific region is currently seeking a proficient graphic designer to showcase, promote, and advance its initiatives through effective online platforms.
Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will work closely with UN Women and be responsible for the following tasks:
- Conceptualizing, designing, and laying out high-quality, innovative, and attention-grabbing materials (print and online) for web-based communications, including infographics, illustrations, reports, web and social media campaigns, advocacy initiatives, promotional and training materials, animations, and GIFs as assigned by Programme Managers.
- Adhering to UN Women Branding Guidelines and Identity Standards.
- Conducting quality control to ensure all work is accurate, high-quality, and meets project specifications.
- Modifying, revising, and editing materials as required, in consultation with the Communications and Media Specialist and respective Programme Managers.
- Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of all assigned tasks.
- Provide technical advice and support to UN Women staff on design-related matters as needed.
Specific requirements for graphic designers:
- Create or improve design concepts tailored to both local and international audiences, as approved by UN Women.
- All graphic materials should be produced in high resolution, suitable for both print and digital platforms including page-by-page documents.
- Deliver designs in various formats, including but not limited to JPEG, PNG, PDF, and GIF, ensuring compatibility with different platforms and devices.
- Adhere strictly to UN Women’s Branding Guidelines and Identity Standards, ensuring all materials align with the organization’s branding.
- Ensure all designs comply with UN Women’s digital accessibility guidelines, making content accessible to a wider audience.
- Conduct thorough quality checks to ensure designs are free from errors, maintain high quality, and meet the project specifications.
- Make necessary modifications and revisions to designs based on feedback from the Communications and Media Specialist and respective Programme Managers.
- Provide raw design files, as well as finalized versions including editable (PSD, INDD) and vector formats (EPS, AI,)
- Maintain proper documentation of all design processes, ensuring traceability and accountability.
Principle
- Advocacy messages should be positive and empowering and reflect the diversity of the Pacific region in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, etc.; Materials designed in such a way that they can be updated and adjusted for future use (all colours, fonts (in TTF or OTF), inserted images, animations or links or any other used resource should be included in the design package; fonts should not be converted to outlines in order to follow further edits and adaptations in the future);
- Ensuring the design of the materials is consistent with UN Women communications guidelines. UN Women has non-exclusive world rights in perpetuity of all designed submissions and products.
Expected Deliverables
The expected deliverables for the Graphic Designer are:
- Design Materials: High-quality, innovative, and attention-grabbing designs for print and online materials, including but not limited to infographics, illustrations, reports, web and social media campaigns, advocacy initiatives, promotional and training materials, animations, and GIFs.
- Branding Compliance: All designed materials should strictly adhere to UN Women Branding Guidelines and Identity Standards.
- Quality Control: Ensure all deliverables are accurate, high-quality, and meet project specifications through thorough quality control processes.
- Revisions and Edits: Modify, revise, and edit materials based on feedback from the Communications and Media Specialist and respective Programme Managers.
- Creative Concepts: Develop creative concepts and design solutions that effectively communicate UN Women’s messages and initiatives.
- Timely Delivery: Manage and deliver multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of all assigned tasks.
- Technical Advice: Provide technical advice and support on design-related matters to UN Women staff as needed
- Trend Integration: Incorporate fresh and engaging design elements by staying updated on industry trends and best practices.
- Final Design Files: Deliver final design files in various formats as required (e.g., JPEG, PNG, PDF, GIF), ensuring they are ready for print and digital distribution.
- Documentation and Reporting: Maintain documentation of all design processes and provide regular updates and reports on the progress of design projects
Institutional Arrangement
The role will be carried out under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women Communications and Media Specialist, in close collaboration with Communication Officers in Programme Teams.
UN Women will provide the consultant with background information, content and concept suggestions when required.
The Consultant is expected to work remotely using his/her own computer but may access the UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.
Copyrights
The products will be copyrighted to UN Women and any violation of copyright law will be pursued appropriately.
Duration of the Work
The duration of this assignment will be 200 working days on a non-consecutive basis over a 36-months period of work assignment.
Duty Station
This is a remote based position.
Any travel costs outside of home-based location will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval based on agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations.
Performance Evaluation
Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.
Financial Arrangements
Payment will be disbursed on a monthly basis upon submission of report with carried out activities and timesheets and certification by the Supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed.
Competencies
Core Values:
- Respect for Diversity
- Integrity
- Professionalism
Core Competencies:
- Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
- Accountability
- Creative Problem Solving
- Effective Communication
- Inclusive Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leading by Example
Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
- Software Proficiency: Mastery of design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for creating and manipulating digital designs.
- Typography and Layout Design: Understanding of typography principles and layout design for print and digital media, ensuring readability and visual hierarchy.
- Visual Communication: Ability to effectively convey ideas and messages visually through color, imagery, and composition, translating complex information into clear visuals.
- Brand Identity: Knowledge of branding principles to create cohesive visual identities, including logos and brand guidelines, while maintaining consistency across designs.
- Problem-Solving and Collaboration: Strong problem-solving skills to address design challenges, coupled with effective communication and collaboration with clients and team members to understand requirements and deliver high-quality designs on time.
Required Skills and Experience
Education and Certification:
- Masters’ degree or equivalent in Design, Journalism, Social Sciences, or other related fields is required.
- A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
- Formal Certification in Designwork is an asset.
Experience:
- At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant professional experience in graphic design works.
- Demonstrated experience in designing visual content for diverse projects, evidenced through a portfolio/P11/CV.
- Experience in design and layout for advocacy, training, and communications materials.
- Experience collaborating with UN agencies or other international organizations is beneficial.
- Strong portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, including branding, print materials, digital assets, and multimedia content.
- Proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant tools.
- Ability to conceptualize and execute innovative design solutions aligned with UN Women’s branding and messaging.
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple design projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to varying project scopes.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a collaborative approach to working with UN Women staff and stakeholders.
- Compliance with copyright laws, ethical standards, and respect for privacy rights in design practices.
- Additional skills or offerings such as motion graphics, animation, or experience in the Pacific region are advantageous.
Languages:
- Strong command of English both written and oral.
- Strong command of Pacific vernacular is an asset, as evidenced through P11.
- Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, MS Office, ability to build/adapt databases using accessible software.
Note:
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Evaluation:
Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:
- Masters’ degree or equivalent in Design, Journalism, Social Sciences, or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree. Formal Certification in Designwork is an asset.
- At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant professional experience in graphic design works.
Technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done through desk review of applications on the basis of responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) as per table below.
Interviews and/or written tests will be organised if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.
Technical Evaluation Table:
| No. | Criteria | | Max. points |
| | - Masters’ degree or equivalent in Design, Journalism, Social Sciences, or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree. Formal Certification in Designwork is an asset.
| First-level university degree – 5 pts. Masters’ s qualification – of 10 pts. | 10 |
-
| - At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant professional experience in graphic design works.
| 2 years with Master degree and 4 years with first-level university degree – 10 pts, Each year over 2 (or 4) years – 2 pts each up to a max 20 pts. | 20 |
-
| - Demonstrated experience in designing visual content for diverse projects, evidenced through a portfolio/P11/CV.
| | 10 |
-
| - Experience in design and layout for advocacy, training, and communications materials.
| | 10 |
-
| - Experience collaborating with UN agencies or other international organizations is beneficial.
| | 5 |
-
| - Strong portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, including branding, print materials, digital assets, and multimedia content.
| | 5 |
-
| - Proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other relevant tools.
| | 5 |
-
| - Ability to conceptualize and execute innovative design solutions aligned with UN Women’s branding and messaging.
| | 5 |
-
| - Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple design projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to varying project scopes.
| | 5 |
-
| - Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a collaborative approach to working with UN Women staff and stakeholders.
| | 5 |
-
| - Compliance with copyright laws, ethical standards, and respect for privacy rights in design practices.
| | 5 |
-
| - Additional skills or offerings such as motion graphics, animation, or experience in the Pacific region are advantageous.
| | 5 |
-
| - Strong command of English both written and oral.
- Strong command of Pacific vernacular is an asset, as evidenced through P11.
| | 5 |
-
| - Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, MS Office, ability to build/adapt databases using accessible software.
| | 5 |
| | Maximum Total Technical Scoring | | 100 |
The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
How to Apply:
- Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: )
- A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
- Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.
- Special Request: Graphic design portfolio including samples working with UN Women or within the Pacific region that attests to the graphic designer’s creativity, professionalism, reliability, and quality of work.