Background

Despite advances in gender equality over the last decade, Malawi ranks 145/188 on the Gender Inequality Index (GII), reflecting high levels of inequality in reproductive health, women’s empowerment, and economic activity. Additionally, violence against women and girls (VAWG) and harmful practices (HP) remain serious issues. According to the MDHS 2015-16, 38 percent of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 years experienced intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. Twenty four percent of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 years experienced intimate partner physical and/or sexual violence in the last 12 months. Additionally, the current increasing trends on rape and defilement cases amid the COVID-19 Pandemic demonstrate the great need for interventions to curb VAWG.

The Spotlight Initiative is a multi-year global programme initiated by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) in September 2017 to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG). Malawi is among 24 countries selected to implement the Spotlight Initiative, including 8 countries in Africa.

In Malawi, the SI is being implemented by the UN in close collaboration with the Government of Malawi; Civil Society Organisations; local leaders, the media as well as communities. Currently, the programme is in 6 districts: Dowa, Ntchisi, Nsanje, Machinga, Nkhata-Bay and Mzimba. There are plans to scale up in 2021. The Initiative works on ending violence against women and girls through 6 outcomes: i) Laws and Policies; ii) Strengthening Institutions, iii) Prevention; iv) Services, v) Data, and vi) Strengthening the Women’s Movement.

One SI focus area is awareness raising on rights and responsibilities. As women and girls are central to this project, they will have to recognize and understand that they have rights that no one can violate them. They need to further recognize that any violation of such rights warrants some action towards the perpetrator and that they ca further seek redress.  Therefore, women and girls need to be empowered through information so that they are aware of their rights and challenge common practices that encourage violence towards them.

In alignment with the SDGs’ guiding principle of ‘leave no one behind – reach the furthest first’, UN Women, through the Spotlight Initiative, is seeking services of individual consultant to support and enhance the development of visibility materials of the project.

The consultant will design and produce SI branding and IEC visibility materials to raise awareness about the Spotlight Initiative, its work, achievements, and support positive social change to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the EVAW Programme Specialist, the national consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Conduct research/link with UN Women Team for more information, background etc. when/if necessary.
• Develop an inception report with a work schedule that will indicate production of visibility and identity elements.
• Based on creative briefs- develop concepts/ illustrations for various audiences and service providers.
• In collaboration with the EVAW Specialist and Communications Officer, conceptualize and design the following: posters, stickers and leaflets in English, Chichewa, Chitumbuka, Yao, banners,  placards, folders, mugs, pens, t-shirts, reflector jackets, football, netballs, LED flashlights, tote bags.
• Capture high quality digital photographs suitable for production of high-quality print materials including posters, stickers, brochures, leaflets etc. (adopting ethical standards).
• Write concise, well edited captions for all high-quality images (captions should be embedded in the images and shared separately as a word document as well);
• Undertake a substantive editing of the first drafts, after receiving feedback, to ensure internal consistency, both intellectual and stylistic; general readability and accessibility to a broad readership.
• Liaise with UN Women EVAW Specialist for review and finalization of products.
• Deliver final and approved print-ready visibility IEC materials.
• Prepare final report of the assignment.

The consultant should:

• Follow Spotlight Initiative Brand Guidelines (to be shared with the consultant).
• Follow UN Women Photo Policy and Guidelines (section: Use of Photography) - https://bit.ly/2H1wrLP

Deliverables:

The consultant will be expected to complete the following deliverables

1. Work schedule and timeframe for the assignment (in English)
2. Six creative briefs for Posters, leaflets, stickers, folders, banners, placards (in English)
3. Designs of posters, stickers and leaflets in English, Chichewa, chitumbuka, Yao; branded folders, mugs, pens, t-shirts, reflector jackets, footballs, netballs, LED flashlights,  tote bags
4. High quality digital photographs Min 30, max 60
5. Final report 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
• Leading by Example

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Required Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in Graphic Design, Communications, Development Communications or a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree
• At least 5 years’ experience as a graphic designer and/or writer, in advertising or media production or management
• Experience in creating communication materials in topics pertaining to gender equality is desirable
• Demonstrable familiarity, knowledge and understanding of the context of gender equality in Malawi
• Experience in language, terminologies and communication style required for formal production of communication materials for international organisations considered an asset
• Prior collaborative experience with the UN would be an asset

Language:

• Fluency in English is required and understanding of local language is an asset.