Background

The UNDP Eswatini Accelerator Lab is part of a three-year global initiative with a high level of ambition, driven by an innovative approach built on the best of current thinking. The global initiative is a response to the widespread recognition that business-as-usual will not take us to the world we want in 2030 and beyond; and that the development community looks to organizations like UNDP to propose new ways of operating that radically re-imagine and shape 21st century development.

The UNDP Eswatini Accelerator Lab is an effort at creating a new capability for local decision-makers to develop portfolios of mutually reinforcing solutions to tackle complex issues from multiple angles. It is a country-based implementation modality that provides national partners with a set of new services to better tackle sustainable development problems; unleashing the power of local innovation, collective intelligence and experimentation.

Therefore, building public awareness and engaging national, sub-national and local stakeholders on the work of the Accelerator Lab is part of the working out loud and learning component of the accelerator labs and it is a critical initial and ongoing step for success. Beyond awareness, achieving a similar level of understanding among governmental and non-governmental stakeholders is critical, hence appropriate packaging of messages and learning insights is important.

In this context, the Accelerator Labs will produce a series of learning publications, fact sheets, reports, among other things, capturing the activities of the accelerator lab. In view of ensuring quality of materials used for awareness rising, advocacy and public dissemination, UNDP seeks to hire a graphic designer to produce a range of design and layout of Accelerator Lab’s reports, publications and communication information materials. The responsibility of this consultancy is to ensure the implementation and adherence to existing graphic guidelines; layout of reports and publications in English and where necessary, in Siswati; development of new graphic solutions; and design of innovative products.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Accelerator Lab team, the designer will be assigned to the following task(s):  

Implement UN’s branding policy:

• Ensure that all publications, reports and products are produced in line with UN graphic guidelines
• Implement the graphic guidelines in all UN communication products;
• Deliver creative and innovative ideas for print, electronic, web-based and animated presentations.

Design and lay-out of reports and other products:

• Design of reports and other communication materials for printing and electronic distribution;
• Improve and edit art-work, photos, charts and other graphic elements;
• Layout and design information and communication materials (banners, posters, booklets, leaflets, books, calendars, bulletins, flyers, cards)
• Create animations for illustrative purposes such as animations, presentations and more advanced solutions (design of CD/DVD packaging, graphic digitalization);
• Custom photo editing (restoration, noise reduction, tonal adjustment)
• Deliver creative graphic and technical solutions for use of new media (virtual 3D words/boxes, postcards)

Detailed specifications for each individual assignment will be given to the selected designer as and when the designer’s services are needed. The overall amount of technical work hours will not exceed 30 days, spread out between February 2020 and December 2020.

Deliverables, Timeframe and Payments

Deliverables: Quality design for various Acc. Lab assignments completed in line with UN branding requirements and within specified deadlines. For each product, the designer will present a forecast of how many technical working hours it will be necessary to complete the assignment. Each assignment will require the approval of the number of days to be used by the Accelerator Lab.

Timeframe: The work should preferably start in the end of March 2020.

Payments: The designer will be paid as per delivery by the end of each month upon presentation of the report on the material and pieces designed/created during the specific timeframe and the approval of the assignment and products by the Accelerator Labs, in accordance with the price/day predefined in the contract.

Competencies

• Strategic Communication
• Outreach and Public Relations
• Innovation and Knowledge Sharing
• Continuous learning and Decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Educational requirement:

• Diploma in Information Technology. Degree will be an added advantage
• Strong theoretical and practical background in graphic design, including the use of design software such as Adobe Design Premium, In-Design, CorelDraw, web design tools such as Dreamweaver and Flash, etc.
• At least 3 years of experience in design and layout work 
• Experience working with printing and production matters

Language:

• Fluency in English. An understanding of SiSwati is preferred and will be an added advantaged Siswati
• Knowledge of UN style, design and mandate is an asset.