ECARO Roster of Consultant Experts in Photography, Videography and Video Editing – Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

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, a champion

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND

UNICEF works with and for disadvantaged children and adolescents across 22 countries and territories in Europe and Central Asia where we have country programmes. We also have programmes to respond to the needs of refugee and migrant women and children in the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovakia, as well as engagement with institutions across many more countries to uphold the rights of children.

UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), Country Offices and Programmes in the region regularly produce high-quality audiovisual materials that document key issues related to children’s rights, and ongoing programmes and activities. These materials include photos with detailed captions, videos, b-roll for broadcast, public service announcements, and animation.

To meet the ongoing need for multimedia production, UNICEF is updating its roster of photography, videography and video-editing specialists, and invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster.

The Roster will serve as a human resources repository from which ECARO, Country Offices and Programmes in Europe and Central Asia can quickly draw pre-vetted, qualified specialists for assignments.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DUTIES

UNICEF ECARO invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster of photography, videography and video-editing specialists. The specialists will be responsible for capturing and producing compelling visual content that showcases the impact of UNICEF’s programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts. These multimedia packages will contribute to raising awareness, inspiring action, and influencing positive change for children around the world.

The selected specialists will work closely with UNICEF ECARO’s Communication Team, as well as UNICEF Communication Officers in Country Offices, Programmes and National Committees in the region to ensure that the services provided are in line with UNICEF’s branding standards and guidelines, and child safeguarding principles.

The selected specialists may be required to travel to countries in the region to gather multimedia content, for which they are expected to make their own arrangements for travel and lodging. Official travel will be specified in the TOR for each assignment, as requested by ECARO and/or COs.

The selected specialists are required to use their own equipment including cameras, microphones, software and other accessories that may be required for each assignment.

Key responsibilities of the Photography Experts include:

• Capture emotionally resonant and impactful images that tell the stories of children and communities supported by UNICEF.
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand project objectives and translate them into creative visual concepts.
• Travel to various locations, often in challenging environments, to document UNICEF’s work and the situations of children and their families.
• Edit and post-produce photographs, applying appropriate metadata and tags, and ensuring it aligns with UNICEF’s brand guidelines.
• Work closely with writers, photographers, and other content creators to ensure multimedia content is cohesive and impactful.
• Provide creative input during project brainstorming and planning sessions.
• Ensure compliance with ethical and child safeguarding guidelines when dealing with vulnerable subjects.

Key responsibilities of the Videography Experts include:

• Plan, shoot, and edit high-quality videos that effectively communicate UNICEF’s mission, values, and impact.
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand project objectives and translate them into creative visual concepts.
• Capture authentic and engaging footage, interviews, and visuals that tell compelling stories of children, families, and communities.
• Travel to various locations, often in challenging environments, to document UNICEF’s work and the situations of children and their families.
• Edit and post-produce video content, ensuring it aligns with UNICEF’s brand guidelines and communication strategies.
• Work closely with writers, photographers, and other content creators to ensure multimedia content is cohesive and impactful.
• Provide creative input during project brainstorming and planning sessions.
• Ensure compliance with ethical and child safeguarding guidelines when dealing with vulnerable subjects.

SKILLS REQUIRED

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

Requirements applicable to PHOTOGRAPHY Experts

• Degree in photography, film production, media studies, communications, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years’ experience as a photographer, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a formal Degree.
• Proficiency in using professional photography equipment and editing software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, etc.).
• A portfolio showcasing a range of photographic styles, with a focus on storytelling.
• Excellent understanding of composition, lighting, and visual storytelling techniques.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and the ability to connect with subjects to capture genuine moments.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of child rights and development issues is an advantage.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
• Owns photography and photo editing equipment.
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Russian is an asset.

Requirements applicable to VIDEOGRAPHY Experts

• Degree in film, videography, media studies, communications, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in video production, including shooting and editing, preferably in a humanitarian or development context.
• Two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a formal Degree.
• Strong portfolio showcasing the ability to tell compelling stories through video.
• Proficiency in video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc.) and other relevant tools.
• Excellent understanding of visual composition, lighting, and sound design.
• Creative thinking and the ability to transform concepts into impactful videos.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Knowledge of child rights and development issues is a plus.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication skills in a multicultural environment.
• Owns video and video editing equipment.
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Russian is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

1. Duly complete the online UNICEF application
2. Duly complete & attach P-11 History From (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/careers/documents/p11-form)
3. Curriculum vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
4. Comprehensive visual portfolio with at least five (5) samples of relevant work.
5. Financial proposal with daily rate in USD (applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered)
6. Evaluation of work by UN if applicable (e.g. PER).
7. Names and contacts of three (3) referees (applications without referees will not be considered).

Please apply to the Regional Roster by the indicated online deadline of 31 January 2024.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. Once pre-qualified, consultants will be eligible for direct recruitment by UNICEF offices in the region for a three-year period. In the selection of its staff and consultants, UNICEF is committed to gender balance, inclusion and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles 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. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.