Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) – Retainer

In May 2022, UN Global Pulse launched its new strategy, now serving as the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab, and reframing its value-add in the context of the UN system. In light of the bold opportunities outlined within the new strategy and recent recruitments undertaken, UN Global Pulse looks to build out the Creative Communications and Design portfolio extensively to better communicate its work and use creative practices to further drive change and support its mission of innovating for our common future.

The Creative Communications and Design portfolio will serve as a “creative studio” to not only support corporate communications but reimagine how creative and science-based communications can be applied to bridge art and organizational change. The portfolio focuses on three strategic pillars across multiple levels of the system UN Global Pulse operates, including the UN Global Pulse Network, the wider UN system and our ecosystem of partners working to use values-based innovation approaches to catalyse collective action. 

The three pillars supporting the Creative Communications and Design portfolio are: 

• Demonstrate the value, lessons learned, and examples of innovation; 

• Build a culture for creative communications and design to drive transformative change;

• Reimagine and experiment with how we communicate and undertake design activities. 

As Global Pulse deepens its work on Creative Communications and Design, it is requested that we increase resources to expand the core Creative Communications and Design team to support wider communications needs of Global Pulse Finland activities and the wider UN Global Pulse network.

As UN Global Pulse seeks to build out this portfolio of work over 2024, there is a specific need  to support the development of visual and graphic concepts, design, pre-press and printing/production process oversight of elements of visual communications and publications. In light of UN Global Pulse’s new strategy and its shift towards transformation across the UN system, significant support is needed to update and reposition the organization’s reputation and brand externally.

The Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) supports the work of UN Global Pulse under the direct supervision of UN Global Pulse’s Communications Senior Officer and will work in close collaboration with the communications teams across the network. The Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) will be responsible for the following activities:

Creative Communications and Design Portfolio: 

• Support the design and development of UN Global Pulse’s portfolio by ensuring that all elements of visual communications and publications are in full compliance with Global Pulse’s visual identity and professional graphic + technical standards;

• Develop infographics and illustrations;

• Develop layouts and graphic design for office documents;

• Develop layouts and graphic design for various banners and signboards;

• Develop layouts and graphic design for publications;

• Edit and or improve photos, charts and other graphic elements;

• Assist in establishing and maintaining of archive of graphic works;

• Create templates for, design and edit PowerPoint presentations;

• Create animations and graphic illustrations which contribute to effectiveness of presentations and other multimedia formats;

• Support the in-house creative process by participating in touchpoints and feedback sessions;

• Act as a collaborator and thought partner for the Creative Communications and Design portfolio through on-going collaboration and advising on the latest developments in the context of graphic design and illustration;

• Help teams across the network identify and interpret insights and opportunities to use graphic design to further the goals and ambitions of their work.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The selected candidate will be working on a retainer basis. 

The Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) will meet regularly with the Communications Senior Officer to outline ongoing deliverables and ensure that projects and engagements have realistic deadlines and workflows. 

The Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) will report on progress to ensure the timely deliverables of the agreed outputs. The Communications Senior Officer (Graphic Designer) is expected to exercise flexibility in the consultancy assignment regarding the potential of dynamically changing delivery requirements.

FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY *CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

a. Education:  

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in graphic design, art, visual storytelling, or other related area is required. 

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) with 2 years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

b. Work experience: 

      Required:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in graphic production from design to published/printed product.

• Basic knowledge of standard software packages, including Adobe Creative Suite/Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.

Desirable: 

• Experience in developing graphic and illustrated elements for a variety of organizations, businesses, brands, and systems.

• Experience in public sector innovation, social innovation or humanitarian innovation projects.

• Fundamental understanding of design processes and ability to translate conceptual thinking into operational and structured plans. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience in producing animations for motion design and gifs.

c. Language requirements:

• Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required.

• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.

d.  Additional Requirements:

Candidates who apply for this position shall submit, together with this application, a portfolio in free electronic format (preferably web links) with selected works.