International Consultant – User Experience (UX) Designer / Content Creator (SSA)

Background:

The OSCE website is developed and maintained as a corporate platform out of the Communication and Media Relations Section (COMMS) resources for the benefit of the entire Organization. Since the last update of the OSCE web platform was done in 2014-2015, this project is introducing many areas of improvements, giving flexibility to the content contributors to showcase the impact of OSCE activities in a modern, compelling way.

The new website would bring increased understanding of the OSCE by its audiences, as well as creating stronger and more trustworthy image. In addition, this will give OSCE a website that is ready to support a major communication campaign in 2025, as well as easier publishing workflows for the executive structures.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the User Experience (UX) Design Lead, the UX Designer / Content Creator will work on maintaining the design system, creating visual assets based on the overall web design, working on the responsive layout, providing usability guidance to stakeholders and contributing to the overall user experience by providing and requesting clear and helpful metadata, the UX Designer / Content Creator will work on website testing and page building in close collaboration with the development team and key stakeholders across the OSCE.

1.    Research and suggest useful components such as image galleries, PDF embeds and teaser elements to support written content.
2.    Create visual content, such as header images, infographics, images for CTAs and icons to support and enhance the content and overall design.
3.    Take or research photos for website teasers, headers, or image content. 
4.    Optimize images and multimedia for web use, considering performance and load times.
5.    Maintain a design system consisting of design fundamentals and components.
6.    Design for various devices and screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms.
7.    Implement content from a content repository and build page layouts using the options provided in the website backend (CMS).
8.    Contribute to the user experience by providing clear and helpful microscopy, such as error messages, tooltips, and form instructions.
9.    Contribute to the accessibility by providing a clear content structure and implementing image descriptions and metadata.
10.    Collaborate with an accessibility expert and the development team to ensure the overall accessibility of the website.
11.    In support of the web developers, create design specifications, review the frontend design, and support developers to implement the web design accurately.

Deliverables:

–    A well-maintained design system (using the software Sketch and Zeplin). 
–    Responsive page templates for various devices and screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms.
–    Demo page layouts and clickable prototypes.
–    Optimized website assets such as icons, infographics, and other visuals.
–    Design templates for stakeholders and team members (using the software Adobe Photoshop). 
–    UX copy that improves the user experience.
–    Documentation of the design system, visual assets, and UX writing, project tracking and communication among stakeholders and team members. 

The Chief, Online Communications Unit will verify the performance of the Consultant and will certify whether the services have been successfully performed. 

Necessary Qualifications:

•    First-level university degree;
•    Minimum of two years of professional experience in web and online content design for a broad audience, preferably in an international, multi-cultural environment.
•    Submission of a web design portfolio demonstrating previous work and experience is required;
•    Experience in UX design and responsive web design for content management systems (CMS) is required;
•    Experience in visual assets design is required;
•    Experience in maintaining web design systems is required (eg. Figma, Sketch);
•    Experience in photography is a strong asset;
•    Experience working collaboratively, effectively, and responsibly in a fast-paced environment;
•    Good knowledge of English; knowledge of other OSCE working languages would be an asset; 
•    Ability to establish and maintain effective and constructive working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant’s/expert’s qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE’s online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.