Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

To fulfil its mandate, the organization and offices work on various aspects of development with the aim of either drawing attention by providing evidence on the existence of a gender gap or directly implementing interventions geared towards closing the gender gap among other sectors, also in gender statistics.

Making Every Woman and Girl Count (Women Count) is UN Women’s gender data programme,  aimed at supporting countries in their efforts to generate data to inform policies and monitor the implementation of the gender equality-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other national policy priorities. The overall objective of the programme is to affect a radical shift in the production, availability, accessibility and use of quality data and statistics on key aspects of gender equality and women’s empowerment through three interlinked areas of work:

• Building a supportive policy and institutional environment for the localization and effective monitoring of the SDGs;
• Increasing the quality, comparability, and regularity of gender statistics to address national data gaps and meet reporting commitments under the SDGs; and
• Ensuring that gender statistics are accessible to users in governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector, to strengthen their policy and interventions.

UN Women in East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESA-RO) continues to be committed to bridge the gender data and analysis gaps as part of the ‘Leave No One Behind’ commitment  and collaborate closely with other UN Agencies to advance the agenda of Gender Equality and Women Economic empowerment across all areas of work of the United Nations, regional entities, national governments and other entities.

Background of the assignment:

Women Count has a strong presence in the East African region, with the regional project for East and Southern Africa (ESA), and pathfinder projects underway in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. One of the outcomes of the Women Count project has been a significant increase in the availability of gender specific data across ESA.

With strong results emerging from programme implementation in Uganda and other countries in the region, it is important to capture, package and share results with key stakeholders as part of the reporting and communication process and disseminate them to industry stakeholders and the general public in a variety of formats and using diverse platforms.

By creatively packaging results and information from the programme and supporting dissemination to various key publics, the Graphic Design and Layout Consultant will contribute to achieving the three programme objectives stated above, and, more directly, Objective 3: ensuring that gender statistics are accessible to users in governments, civil society, academia and the private sector, to strengthen their policy and interventions and strengthen adequate demand for their production.

Objective and scope of the assignment:

UN Women is looking for a local consultant who can assist with graphic design, layout, and data visualization for its gender data products. The consultancy thus aims to:

• Expertly apply creative graphic elements and tools to improve visual communication and the aesthetic expression of concepts and ideas to render evidence-based information into user-friendly formats to influence understanding of gender issues;
• Help publicize recent and ongoing gender data initiatives in Uganda and the region the development of visually appealing communication products;
• Provide world-class expertise in repackaging new and existing evidence to help project UN Women as a thought leader in creating knowledge on gender issues in Uganda and the region. 

Specifically, the consultancy will serve to provide cutting-edge graphic design, layout, and data visualization expertise for a raft of communication and knowledge products on gender statistics from Uganda and the region. As such, activities envisaged under this consultancy include:

• Conceptualizing and developing compelling infographics for diverse platforms;
• Design and layout of reports and other long form products as needed;
• Conceptualizing and designing data sheets, e-posters, PowerPoint presentations and other short form products as needed;
• Designing a variety of creative visuals for use on social media and other online platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Graphic Design and Layout Consultant will report directly to the UN Women Statistics Specialist and working closely with the Reporting and Communications Consultant ESA-RO) with some functional reporting to the Programme Specialist Gender Statistics, Uganda. Both the Reporting and Communications Consultant and the Programme Specialist Gender Statistics, Uganda will provide technical support where needed.

The will focus on developing compelling graphics, designs, and layouts related but not limited to a variety of knowledge products including:

• The Time Use Survey (TUS 2017/18) Report (multi-purpose visuals, largely for social media);
• The Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD II) Evaluation report 2020);
• Gender Indicator Data (development of data points and other creative products);
• Communication materials needed for the Rapid Gender Assessments currently being conducted across the region;
• Communication materials for the regional COVID-19 gender equality report;
• Other reports, communication and knowledge products as needed.

Outputs and Key Deliverables:

Key outputs of the consultancy are:

• A workplan establishing timelines for the development of key deliverables;
• Development of pre-identified infographics including draft concepts of each to inform full design;
• Design/layout of a sample section to inform full design/layout of the required publications;
• Design/layout of data sheets, e-posters, and PowerPoint presentations;
• Development of creative and compelling visuals including flyers for use on social media;
• Other graphics design products as needed.

As far as possible and where applicable, UN Women publications templates should be applied for all new products including those produced in collaboration with partners. Any applicable templates and associated guidance on branding will be provided at the start of the assignment.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity

• Integrity

• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues

• Accountability

• Creative Problem Solving

• Effective Communication

• Inclusive Collaboration

• Stakeholder Engagement

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/about%20us/employment/un-women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf?la=en&vs=637

Functional Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge and expertise in graphic design and layout;
• Significant knowledge, understanding and demonstrable experience in data visualization, specifically in conceptualizing and developing infographics for the development sector;
• Creative flair and originality;
• High attention to detail;
• High level of motivation, leadership skills, ability to show initiative and work independently;
• Demonstrated ability to multitask under pressure and to meet strict deadlines while proactively communicating progress and any emerging constraints;
• Ability to demonstrate strong layout skills (with extensive knowledge of visual hierarchies) is required.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum of a diploma in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Multi-Media Design, Animation or related field;
• A degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Multi-Media Design, Animation will be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 6 years’ experience in graphic design, developing infographics and graphic production from start to published/printed products with knowledge of printing processes (offset and digital) and color management;
• Good knowledge and experience using the new and evolving technologies, digital platforms and graphic design softwares;
• Experience working in the area of international development. Experience working on issues related to women’s empowerment and gender equality is desirable;
• Experience working with the UN, working in development or a humanitarian environment within the East and Southern Africa Region context is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;

• Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Note:

• All applications must include links and previous samples of their completed Graphic work within the last two years;
• Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment and applications should be submitted through the UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Consultancy fees:

The consultant will work for two months on a full-time basis on this assignment from October 2020 to December 2020. Consultancy fees will be determined in accordance with UN Women rates for consultants and will take into consideration levels of experience and academic qualifications.

UNWOMEN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.