Digital Communication Specialist (Web User Experience), P-3, Fixed Term, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, Valencia, Spain, #43380

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the guidance of the Head of Digital Governance & Platforms, the Web User Experience Lead is responsible for the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of user experiences through user journeys, information architecture, and the overall design and of internet and other digital products. The incumbent also serves as the design operations manager to establish efficient processes, tools, and systems to enhance the overall productivity and creativity of the design team.

Summary of key functions:

1. Oversee design and front-end development production
2. Develop guidelines and standards for web design and user experience (UX)
3. Manage design operations
4. Conceptualize and lead design for digital products
5. Support and capacity building

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

1. Oversee design and front-end development production

• Manage staff designers and vendors responsible for design and production requirements of the UNICEF.org website, and other web products.
• Define specifications for design and front-end development and manage staff and vendors to successful completion to spec and on deadline.
• Ensure templates are appropriately designed and developed.
• Develop network of trusted consultants for surge capacity.

2. Develop guidelines and standards for web design and user experience (UX)

• Coordinate and oversee the efforts of cross-organizational design standards, including style guides and other resources in collaboration with other members of DGCA to ensure overall web integration, usability, and navigability, and the implementation of the Brand Strategy.
• Advise on the design implementation of digital tools.

3. Manage design operations

• Create and set up design systems focusing on reusability, accessibility, and best practices.
• Facilitate and support the use of design systems with designers, content producers, product managers, and developers.
• Coordinate design team rituals and ceremonies, such as critiques and updates.
• Define and track KPIs to ensure the design team’s operational efficiency.

4. Conceptualize and lead design for digital products

• Oversee, coordinate, and provide guidance on information architecture and editorial flow for editorial design products on unicef.org.
• Art direct production and/or selection of appropriate resources such as graphic, video, and photographic materials.

5. Support and capacity building

• Support the development of our communication strategies, tactics, and actions for UNICEF from the perspective of web design.
• Manage and respond to internal user support issues related to front-end design and production.
• Maintain cutting-edge knowledge and skills of relevant technical developments in design and UX.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• Advanced university degree in web development, UX design, news media, international communications or other related discipline is required.
• Extensive training and experience in digital product design, UX design, digital communications, communications planning/strategy, or writing/publishing.

-or-

• An undergraduate degree plus an additional 2 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field digital product design, UX design, graphic design, art direction, or information architecture.

Experience:

• Five years of relevant work experience in the planning, development, and management of digital product design or UX design, three years which should be in developing countries, and two at the management level.
• Knowledge of the following technical areas: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, graphic creation and optimization, use of enterprise level Content Management System.
• Knowledge of the following concepts: User Experience, Information Architecture, Atomic or component-based design systems.
• Experience in maintaining complex design systems, with working proficiency in Figma, InVision or similar tools.
• Knowledge of contemporary development issues, developing country and programme exposure from field experience, and familiarity with child-related and UNICEF issues, including child rights.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Builds and maintains partnerships (2)
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
Innovates and embraces change (2)
Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
Thinks and acts strategically (2)
Works collaboratively with others (2)
Nurtures, leads and manages people (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.