Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is active in around 130 countries every year. With field presences in over 80 countries, UNV is represented worldwide. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution titled “Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (A/RES/73/140). The resolution defined the overall theme of the global technical meeting (GTM2020) as “Reimagining volunteering for the 2030 Agenda” and requested that the meeting be held as a special event on the margins of the 2020 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. The main aim of the meeting is for the global volunteering community to effectively position volunteering in the global agenda through enhanced recognition of the engagement and contributions of citizens through volunteering to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The GTM2020 will take place at a critical juncture under the 2030 Agenda. Five years following the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), development actors are looking backwards to best practices and lessons learned and forwards to how the SDGs can be accelerated to achieve their targets over the next decade. Across the globe, Member States and other actors have taken steps to achieve the SDGs by 2030, including many that involve volunteering. However, progress has been mixed, and much work remains to be done. While, for example, extreme poverty has declined considerably, and countries are beginning to take serious climate action based on the ratification of the Paris Agreement, there remain critical areas that require a “much deeper, faster and more ambitious response.” 
The GTM2020 will also take place at a time of rapidly evolving social, environmental, economic and political mega trends that bring new risks, create new opportunities, while also changing the development landscape. SDG Progress is increasingly threatened by a climate emergency. Development gains are being distorted by growing inequality. Migration is shifting populations and altering and disrupting social fabric, whilst exponential growth in technology is bringing changes to the way that people live and work. With the focus in 2020 on accelerating sustainable development against a backdrop of unprecedented change, volunteering can be a powerful means to engage people to ensure that global sustainable development efforts are owned by people, implemented by people and for people. However, volunteering – and how to engage volunteering - needs to be “reimagined” so that it keeps agile, responsive and impactful.
While much work has been done to support volunteers, there are significant areas that require further attention. For example, the historical and geo-political legacy of volunteering discourse has largely focused on either international volunteering, mainly from the global North to the global South, or local “charity” work. The value of volunteer actions led by the global South needs to be much better recognised, understood and promoted, with most research to date done by and in the global North. Despite significant changes in the forms and functions of volunteer activities, such as online and micro-volunteering and collection of citizen generated data, over the last decade, they have not been adequately mirrored in policy debates and official processes. Furthermore, how governments safeguard the rights of volunteers against the potential risks of exploitation and ensure safety, security and well-being of volunteers needs to reflect these realities, particularly given that volunteers are often the first responders at times of crises and shocks.
Against this dynamic, complex and challenging backdrop, there is a need to reimagine volunteering and the way that development actors engage with volunteering, backed by a broad and diverse evidence base, to support volunteers to become an integral part of the decade-long push to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
The strategic objectives of the Plan of Action to Integrate Volunteering into the 2030 Agenda, endorsed by UN Member States, are to:

1. Strengthen people’s ownership of the development agenda through enhanced civic engagement and enabling environments for citizen action;
2. Integrate volunteerism into national and global implementation strategies for the post-2015 development agenda; and
3. Measure volunteerism to contribute to a holistic understanding of the engagement of people and their well-being and be part of the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In line with these objectives, the GTM2020 is to strengthen recognition and support of volunteering through the generation and analysis of existing and new evidence, while providing a platform for the exchange of good practices, knowledge products and lessons learned. The GTM2020 will be the culmination of three years of evidence generation and validation in coordination and partnerships with multiple stakeholders at national and regional levels, in particular those from the global South.
Against this backdrop, four building block ‘workstreams’ will support the overarching theme “Reimagining Volunteering for the 2030 Agenda”.

• Mapping trends and evidence on volunteering for the SDGs: This workstream will help to position volunteer efforts as we scale up efforts for 2030 and beyond.
• Volunteering as SDG accelerator: This workstream will move from what we have learned and success-to-date to understanding how volunteerism might contribute to accelerating progress in tackling critical SDG challenges.
• Next generation volunteering support: This workstream asks whether and how the package of ‘enabling environment’ solutions that governments and their development partners invest in needs to be updated.
• Measuring volunteering for the SDGs: This workstream explores how volunteer measurement efforts might strengthen a people-centered approach to SDGs planning, monitoring and integration.
   

Duties and Responsibilities

UNV is looking for an expert in conceptualizing and graphic design of infographics and data vizualisations for a range of products and materials leading up to the Global Technical Meeting (GTM) on volunteering in July, 2020. The graphics need to be along the brand guidelines of the Meeting but at the same time innovative and usable in both online and offline publications. The consultant will report to the Policy Specialist, Volunteer Advisory Services Section.

Key deliverables:

Key deliverable 1. Submission of concept and guidelines for infographics
The consultant will build from the provided event branding and broader graphic design principles to propose the overall concept and guidelines for infographics, including providing examples of graphs/charts and visuals by objective/purpose that workstream content providers can consider for use in their products.
The guidance should also suggest common factors to be used across all infographics, including but not limited to:

• Typography: fonts
• Colour: primary, secondary, colours gradients
• Charts: types of charts to be used to show specific relationships/processes/matrices etc
• Icons: Likely common icons or concepts such as: connections, innovation, inclusion, cooperation, volunteers, solutions, youth, equality, evidence, policies.

The consultant will also produce a format for the workstreams/product leaders to fill out when requesting infographics and providing feedback on draft infographics, to ensure relevant information is provided ahead of discussion and conceptualization.
 

Key deliverables 2 & 4. Drafts of the different infographics

Based on commission by the different workstreams (coordinated by the Policy Specialist) the consultant will provide 25 infographics. File formats could include pdf, png, jpg, gif, eps, svg, or other vector file formats.  The split of infographics/data visualizations has yet to be finalized but for indicative purposes could be something like:

1. Call to Action (1) -  Summary 1-page infographic of the Call to Action -  June 2020

2. Global Synthesis Report (2) 2 x infographics including one gif - April 2020

for example:

• One on Plan of Action process
• One on Recommendations April 2020

3. Global Technical Meeting materials; 2 x  infographic products to be used for the website, agenda or other materials - May 2020

4. Workstream 1: Contribution to the SDGs (5);  2 data visualizations/infographics on contributions to the SDGs based on the good practices database including one gif. Due May 2020

• 1 infographic on volunteer practices/typology. February 2020
• 1 data visualization based on the results of the global survey.  May 2020
• 1 infographic on results from the global survey. May 2020

5. Workstream 2: Acceleration matrix (5) 1 x infographic on the acceleration matrix. April 2020

• 4  other infographics summarizing aspects of the toolkit (1 per section).  May 2020

6. Workstream 3: Next generation volunteering support (5) 

• 1 overarching infographic on trends on 21st Century Volunteering. March 2020
• 1 infographic on commen elements of an enabling environment.   May 2020
• 3 other infographics based on the outputs of the design blueprints.  April 2020

7. Workstream 4: Measurement (5) 

• 1 data visualization on measurement of volunteer work by countries. March 2020
• 1 -page infographic distilling guidance for national statistics agencies. March 2020
• 1-page infographic summarizing the challenge fund papers.Feb-March 2020
• 2 infographics (decision-tree/process flows) for the toolkit on measurement.  April 2020

The consultant is to visually showcase each set of data’s main information and supporting messages and ensure that the overall design is readable, consistent, logical and visually engaging to a non-technical audience.  One round of revisions would be required for each design based on  consolidated feedback from UNV and partners.  Final submissions would reflect the feedback and inputs gathered from UNV accordingly and conduct final changes, in order to create the final infographics in different formats. Provide the infographics, along with the individual elements in different formats – including editable versions – on a download centre. UNV has all rights to the assets.

Key deliverables 3 and 5. Production of other language versions
Production of original infographics will be done in English. Each infographic would then be made available in the remaining five UN langauges: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Translated material and any guidance for inclusion in the design will be provided by UNV.  Final versions would be provided in the download centre.  UNV has all rights to the assets.

Key deliverable 6. Liaison with the knowledge portal developer
The consultant will liaise with the UNV web developer and recommend interactive features for developing a web-based version of at least two data visualizations.

Description of Responsibilities (scope of the work)
Deliverable No of days Deadline

1. Submission of concept for infographics and initial design guidelines and commission and feedback forms. No of Days 2. Due 15 February 2020
2. Creation of 10 draft infographics/data visualizations in English in different files options; 1 round of revisions per infographic;  finalization of graphic files in all formats needed and download, including print-ready files. No of Days10. Due 30 April 2020
3. Production of each of the 10 infographics in the 5 additional UN languages based on translated content provided by UNV; finalization of graphic files in all formats needed and download, including print-ready files.No of Days 5. Due 30 April 2020
4. Creation of 15 draft infographics/data visualizations in English with different files options; 1 round of revisions per infographic;  finalization of graphic files in all formats needed and download, including print-ready files. No of Days 15. Due  5 June 2020
5.  Production of each of the 15 infographics in the 5 additional UN languages based on translated content provided by UNV; finalization of graphic files in all formats needed and download, including print-ready files. No of Days 5. Due 5 June 2020
6. Liaison with the UNV web developer for the development of web-based interactive functions of at least two data visualizations No of days 1. Due: 10 June 2020

 Total number of days 38 

Competencies

Expert knowledge in graphic design and graphic design software, including but not limited to: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After effect, Final Cut Pro, Flash, Flex Builder, and the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Advanced knowledge in concept and creation of specific graphic design assets, including infographics/factographs (for print and digital), data visualization, animation.
• Creativity and innovation to produce high quality products
• Ability to adapt designs according to feedback quickly and efficiently 
• Ability to work independently and remotely, meeting tight deadlines as required
• Demonstrated analytical, time management and client orientation skills
• Attention to detail

Required Skills and Experience

Education: University degree in graphic design, data analytics, communications or a related field.
Experience:

• Proven track record in designing visually engaging infographics on complex issues including qualitative and quantitative research and evidence
• Language requirement: Excellent command of English, particularly written; other UN languages an asset.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

The selection of the best offer will be based on the combined scoring method: the qualifications and methodology will be weighted 70%, combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30%.

• Demonstrated track record in infographic design, data visualization and animation for high quality publications assessed from P11/CV and design samples (50%)

• Technical proposal demonstrates clear process and methodology for delivering high quality products in line with the ToR (20%).

• Financial proposal (30%)

Application procedure:
Qualified candidates must apply online via the UNDP Jobshop. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review these terms of reference and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above.

Applications should contain:
a)Cover Letter, including a summary of your experience and expertise and why you are the most suitable for the job

b) Technical proposal: The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables, ideas you may already have from reviewing our previous Annual Reports online, as well as outline the major components of its implementation. It should be justified by referencing previous experiences.

C. Design samples: a variety of infographics that you have designed (on your own without other technical assistance)
D. Financial Proposal using the duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (COI) link to COI template ;https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default

Your Financial Proposal must indicate the total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNV under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNV

d) Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

Please paste the cover letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application and ensure you have provided all requested materials. All supporting documents should be scanned and attached into one PDF format document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Queries should be sent to:procurement@unv.org, att Marc Wharton clearly marking –0094347: Consultant - Infographics

Terms and conditions, as well as contract samples can be found at this link:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf
as well as contract samples can be found at this link:http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/procurement/business/how-we-buy.html

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Please make sure you provide all requested materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Applications without the fully completed Confirmation of Interest Form, including financial costs will not be considered.

Note: UNDP/UNV reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this procurement notice.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP/UNV with similar terms of reference, experience and educational requirements.