National Consultancy – Graphic Designer, Freetown, Sierra Leone

UNICEF SL is seeking to hire a Graphic Designer to design, lay-out and format visual communication materials, ensuring that the products meet desired standards and timelines as adhered to. The specifications of the various graphic design materials required will be mutually agreed upon between the contractor and UNICEF.

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, an advocate.

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose and Objectives

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to design two strategy documents and produce high-quality visual content, including a 10-minute and a 1-minute video, for UNICEF Sierra Leone’s Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section. These materials are intended to effectively communicate the strategic goals, impact, and key messages of the ADAP Section to a diverse audience, including government partners, NGOs, donors, and the public.

1.  Methodology and Technical Approach

The consultancy will begin with a thorough review of the content for the two strategy documents to gain a deep understanding of the key messages, target audiences, and design requirements. The graphic designer will then develop initial design concepts and layouts, focusing on creating visually appealing and user-friendly documents that align with UNICEF’s branding guidelines. These draft designs will be presented to the ADAP team for feedback, and an iterative process will be used to refine the designs, ensuring that the final products effectively communicate the strategic objectives and resonate with the intended audiences.

For the photography and videography components, the consultant will conduct field visits to selected ADAP project sites to capture high-quality photos and video footage. This process will involve working closely with the ADAP team to identify key stories, moments, and messages that should be highlighted in the visual content. Following the fieldwork, the consultant will proceed with the post-production phase, where the captured footage and images will be edited to produce a 10-minute documentary-style video and a 1-minute promotional video. Both videos will be designed to meet high visual and audio quality standards, ensuring they are compelling and informative across various platforms.

Throughout the entire process, industry-standard tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite for design and high-resolution cameras for photography and videography, will be used to ensure professional-grade outputs. The consultant will also adhere to UNICEF’s ethical guidelines, particularly in representing images of children and vulnerable populations, to ensure that all content is handled with the utmost sensitivity and respect. Regular communication with the ADAP team will be maintained to ensure the project remains on track and aligned with UNICEF’s overall objectives and branding standards.

2.  Specific Tasks of the Consultant

The Graphics Designer will be expected to deliver any of the following as required during the whole duration of the contract:

1. Initial Consultation and Planning:

• Meet with the ADAP team to discuss project objectives, scope, and expectations.
• Develop a detailed work plan and timeline for the completion of all deliverables.

1. Document Design:

• Review the content of the two strategy documents.
• Develop and present initial design concepts.
• Incorporate feedback and finalize the design of both documents.

1. Photography:

• Conduct on-site photography at selected ADAP project locations.
• Edit and deliver high-resolution photographs that can be used in both digital and print formats.

1. Videography:

• Capture video footage at selected ADAP project sites.
• Conduct interviews with young people involved in the programmes.
• Produce a 10-minute video and a 1-minute promotional video, incorporating music, subtitles, and other necessary elements.
• Submit drafts for feedback and make necessary revisions.

1. Finalization:

• Deliver the final versions of the strategy documents and videos in the required formats.
• Provide all raw files, including unedited photos and footage, to UNICEF.

Management, Organization and Timeframe

The consultancy will be managed by the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Specialist of UNICEF Sierra Leone. The consultant will work under the guidance of the ADAP specialist, who will provide oversight, resources, and coordination support throughout the project. This includes organizing field visits for photography and videography and providing timely feedback during the design and production phases.

The consultant is expected to start on 14^th September 2024. The first key deliverable, a completed strategy document, is due by 18^th Sept 2024. This will be followed by the submission of the 10-minute and 1-minute videos by 22^nd September 2024. The final deliverable, the second strategy document, is due by 20^th November 2024.

The consultant will develop a detailed work plan and timeline at the beginning of the consultancy, specifying how these deadlines will be met. Regular progress updates will be scheduled with the ADAP specialist to ensure the project remains on track and any issues are promptly addressed.

All deliverables must be submitted within the specified deadlines and will be subject to review and approval by the ADAP specialist before final acceptance.

Start date: 14^th Sept 2024

• UNICEF will provide the consultant with the approved and pre-tested messages, as well as the relevant branding guidelines, and will provide the relevant photos, messages, and the broad idea of the design concept. The designer is to adhere to the UNICEF branding guidelines, regarding logo use, colours, fonts, and design.

The graphic designer will provide all the relevant working tools including computers and software that are needed for his/her work and will produce the designs in conformity with the UNICEF branding guidelines.

Please see attached ToR for detailed information.  Graphic Designer TOR-ADAP .pdf

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

• First Level University qualification in graphic design and layout or a related field.*2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an a University Degree. 

• The Consultant should have a minimum of five years’ experience producing high quality graphically designed artwork.

• Ability to use graphic design software, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Designer, Corel Draw

• Ability to effectively grasp and incorporate inputs/feedback from multiple contributors.

• Previous UNICEF, UN and/or INGO experience in a similar role is desirable

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 

• Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

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.

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.