CONSULTANCY - TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
Consultant - AVAC GRAPHIC DESIGN, Amman, Jordan
BACKGROUND
Violence against children is a global challenge. It exists in every country in the world and it cuts across culture, class, education, income and ethnic origin. Every year, at least a billion children globally are exposed to violence. It is a global problem, an affront to the dignity of the child and a violation of their rights and developmental needs, with consequences for the health, wellbeing and educational attainment of the individual child as well as costs at the societal level. Violence, or the threat or fear of it has immediate and long-term consequences, including long-term psychological and health impacts, which stop a child from reaching their full potential. The scale and impact of violence against children is better understood now than ever before. Supporting children to grow up protected and cherished means they are more likely to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
UNRWA works in a unique context where Palestine refugees, including children, can suffer from difficult social conditions which negatively affect their enjoyment of many of their basic human rights, for example, in Gaza, due to the impact of the blockade and the recurrent hostilities, and in Syria, given the protracted hostilities. Each of the Agency’s five Fields of operation face however specific contextual challenges. These challenges, coupled with economic hardship, including poverty and unemployment, may deepen frustration and despair and may create a fertile ground for the phenomena of violence. The COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global public health crisis which has also precipitated major social, economic and financial shocks and secondary crises, has added another layer of complexity and challenge. The pandemic has dramatically changed the lives of children around the world, the consequences of which will likely impact for years to come.
In 2019, UNRWA published the ‘Strategic Framework to Address Violence Affecting, and Involving Children in UNRWA Installations and Services,’ (referred to as the ‘AVAC Initiative’) which aims to provide a coherent, coordinated Agency-wide, multi-sectoral and holistic approach to eliminate violence against children. This includes staff-to-child or child-to-child violence occurring in all UNRWA installations and services, in both the development and humanitarian contexts, as well as in the online space – an area requiring renewed focus given the COVID-19 context. Its vision is to ensure that all children access UNRWA services in a violence-free environment which ensures their protection, dignity and full potential in human development. UNRWA has secured funding to advance a number of key components of the AVAC initiative through the Government of Belgium. This includes, amongst others, the design and production of a number of online and offline communication materials. These materials will be for a range of audiences, on a range of topics, across both print and digital formats, in both English and Arabic. UNRWA therefore requires the services of a high-calibre graphic designer to produce compelling, engaging content, in line with UNRWA branding and communications guidelines, for dissemination across the five Fields of UNRWA operations.
The AVAC Graphic Design consultant will work under the direct supervision of the AVAC Coordinator and the overall guidance of the Director of Education, including close cooperation with the Communications Division within the External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD). The consultant will, in addition, support a network of AVAC Focal Points across all UNRWA Programmes and Departments and within each of the five UNRWA Fields of Operations.
The consultant will lead on the design, development, and production of a range of communication materials, including C4D tools, in line with UNRWA branding and communications guidelines, for the UNRWA Addressing Violence Against Children (AVAC) initiative.
The consultant will also support the development of materials for Agency-wide awareness raising days, internal presentations and publications, donor visibility materials and project reporting and build the capacity of colleagues in effectively presenting information visually.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Producing a range of graphic design materials in both print and online formats and in both English and Arabic, from pre-approved text, on how to better prevent and respond to violence against, and amongst children.
• Participating in the development of an Agency-wide communications for development (C4D) plan, providing recommendations on the most relevant visual design style and formats suited to each target audience, for all planned outputs within the AVAC C4D toolbox.
• Planning, designing and producing an agreed number of materials within the AVAC C4D toolbox (to be identified within the C4D plan) in both English and Arabic.
• Designing and producing materials for two Agency-wide awareness raising days in both English and Arabic; International Day against School Violence and Bullying, including Cyberbullying in November 2021 and Safer Internet Day in February 2022.
• Creating different illustrative materials such as infographics or visualisations, for presentations, publications (e.g. factsheets/brochures) and donor reports, in both English and Arabic.
• Designing and producing donor visibility materials, in line with the donor visibility guidelines and in coordination with the donor’s visibility focal point.
• Supporting the ongoing Staying Safe Online campaign, including producing graphics for social media platforms and websites.
• With the support of the AVAC team, liaisingwith key Programme stakeholders and the External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD) for approval and sign-off of all communication materials.
• Supporting the AVAC team in the development of the necessary Terms of Reference for the procurement of services for production of materials, in line with UNRWA procurement policies and processes, and liaisingwith suppliers to quality assure products and ensure timely production of materials.
• Preparingand delivering bi-monthly sessions to build capacity of colleagues in using simple design software (such as Piktochart) to develop effective visual messages.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• A Bachelor’s degreefrom an accredited educational institution in Graphic Design/Arts/Communications/Media Studies or related disciplines
• At least three years of relevant professional work experience as a graphic designer or in a related field.
• Experience in using visual aids and producinghigh quality, creative communication materials for a range of audiences in online (including social media) and offline formats.
• Proficiency across a range of design software (including Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe InDesign).
• Fluency in English and Arabic
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Knowledge of the Middle East, Palestine refugees and UNRWA
• Knowledge of communications for development (C4D) techniques and campaigns
• Experiencein the design and production of animated videos or podcasts
COMPETENCIES
UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default.
• Creativity and Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Adapting and Responding to Change
• Learning and Researching
• Relating and Networking
• Excellent design skills
• Communication skills and ability to present information in a simple but effective way
• Independent, well-organized with a keen eye for detail and strong initiative, and an ability to produce high quality materials within tight timeframes.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
• The consultant will be based in HQ Amman, Jordan
• The consultancy will run on a full-time basis from 1 April 2021 to 28 February 2022 (with the possibility of renewaldepending on performance and availability of funds).
• The remuneration for this consultancy will be at the grade 13 level at an estimated monthly fees of JOD 778.8 or equivalent in USD.
• The payment will be based on attendance and agreed monthly fee, released on successful completion of key deliverables and submission of a monthly attendance sheet.
APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants must submit:
1. An up-to-date CV/resume and cover letter, in English, that clearly indicates how their experience and qualifications meet the requirements of the consultancy.
2. A total of four examples of previous design work, two in online formats and two in offline/printed formats.
3. Two recent references for previous graphic design services.
The deadline for the submission of applications, references and supporting documentation is 28 February 2021. These must be sent to consultancy@unrwa.org, indicating the title of this consultancy “AVAC Graphic Design Consultant” in the subject line of the message. Late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.
18 February 2021