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.

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027),  UN Women Global  Strategic Plan, National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.

UN Women places an important emphasis on communicating for behavior change and bring development assistance results, as well as the donors’ contribution to these achievements closer to all. For this purpose, UN Women Moldova seeks to embark on a series of targeted communications interventions that would show-case the results of women in communities from Moldova and their impact on the lives of women, men and other community members as part of the leadership for change spirit. This is particularly important when communications efforts are geared toward resource mobilization, and donor countries are increasingly insisting on documented results to demonstrate value for money.

As a part of UN Women work in Moldova there are also planned a series of events and activities such as conferences, workshops, roundtables, study visits, trainings, communication campaigns, for which visibility needs to be ensured and target audience reached. A prudent approach is to have on hand a long-term agreement with a photographer who can be brought on board to address visual communications needs on an ad hoc and as-needed basis.

In view of documenting the activities and creating a pool of image resources UN Women Moldova seeks to hire a photographer for providing timely and qualitative still photography services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Communications Specialist and/or Communication Associate, the photographer provides high quality photography services, when required (with advance notice). The photographer demonstrates a client-oriented approach, tact and ability to work with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. The photographer ensures effective and efficient provision of services, full confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, management of information flow and follow-up on deadlines and commitments made.

Capture and provide high quality and high-resolution images of events, missions, including visual stories of women, men and children in the target communities where UN Women is implementing its activities.

The photographer will be required to have his/her own equipment (a semi-professional or professional DSLR camera, lenses, flashes and all other necessary accessories) and be available for travel immediately as needed to communities from Moldova in order to cover various stories, events and topics. The transportation and logistical arrangements will be ensured by UN Women Moldova Programmes.

Scope of Work:

• To generate compelling photography to illustrate specific stories or events. Capture high resolution images of individuals, groups, events at field locations related to the implementation of the UN Women activities and programmes;
• Provide at least 15 selected images from minor assignment/event and at least 30 inspiring images from the major events immediately following the events in electronic format;
• Caption each photograph with specific details such as geographical location, name of the person, a quote or a short description of the person’s story, a few lines (when required).

Duty Station:

This is a home-based assignment with field visits in local communities in Moldova and events.

Duration of the Assignment and Expected Deliverables against Timeframes:

The Consultant is expected to spend up to 100 working days on a non-consecutive basis throughout the assignment within a 12-month period from the contract signature.

Expected Deliverables:

• Photographs – both color and black and white, and related cut lines (photo descriptions);
• Best of’ photographs that have been taken during each of the assignment (at least 15-30, depending on event);
• Photographs shall be provided to UN Women through online transfer or on an external format, e.g. hard drive, flash disk, when requested;
• In order to reflect an event in media and social media in an appropriate and effective time, min 10 photographs shall be provided within the first three of hours after the closing of the event.

Photographs shall conform to UN Women ethical reporting guidelines and appropriate visual portrayal of UN Women programme related areas. The photographs should be a mix of portraits and action shots. The majority of the images should be portraits of the subjects against a setting that is relevant to the story. The portraits should be posed against a desired backdrop and lit well and evenly.

However, in addition to the portraits it is also important to capture the subject in action, either in conversation with a beneficiary of the programme they spearheaded, or otherwise engaged in an activity that helps drive the story home. For these images, it may not be possible to control the environment and so it is not necessary that these images are lit or posed in the same way as the portraits.

The photographs should depict the subject as empowered and strong, and the mood should be uplifting and positive as opposed to dark or moody. The case studies focus on the process of change, in finding positive solutions to overcoming challenges to achieving women’s economic and social rights, and the subjects’ role in developing programmes or campaigns that protect and uphold these rights and empower women. In this context, it is especially important for the photographs to portray the subjects as leaders and as activists who embody this positive change.

Specific requirements for photos:

• Color and Black and White;
• In electronic form or flash-card;
• Format of electronic pictures: JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG;
• Colors: minimum RGB, maximum CMYK;
• Resolution: high (minimum 300 dpi scale up to A1 size for print and minimum 72 dpi for web) that will be of an internationally acceptable standard;
• Pixel dimension: 1600x900.

Copyrights

The photographs will be copyrighted to UN Women and any violation of copyright law will be pursued appropriately. All photos taken by the photographer will be credited to the name of the person as well.

Financial arrangements and performance evaluation

Payment will be done in separate installments upon delivery of services and certification by UN Women no later than at the end of each quarter.

Photographer’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: quality of the products delivered, timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy.

Services and Facilities to be provided by the UN Women

The photographer will work under overall guidance and direct supervision of Communications Specialist and/or Communication Associate. The consultant will use his/her own equipment. The transportation to targeted communities and logistical arrangements will be ensured by UN Women Moldova.

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:

• Mature judgment and initiative;
• Ability to think out-of-the-box;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Women;
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Ability to work under pressure against strict deadlines;
• Ability to present complex issues persuasively and simply;
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University Degree preferable in an area related to this position (journalism, production, fine arts or other related);
• Formal training in photography is an asset;

Experience:

• At least 3 years of work experience in photography in social/development area.
• Proven ability in photography and ability to assimilate and communicate complex visual messages in an engaging and user-friendly manner (sample portfolio to be provided).
• Prior experience of working with UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs and understanding of the development sector is required (sample photographs taken from various donor or government led events).
• Advanced knowledge and skills of MS Office, including Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop and other editing tools is required.
• National and/or international awards and prizes in photography, would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Romanian and/or Russian. Knowledge of English will be an asset.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their online applications by 18 July 2024 with the following documents.

• Duly filled Personal History Form PHF11/CV (downloadable from https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachment).
• Letter of Intent to include a brief overview about which of your previous experiences makes you the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
• Google Drive link to a selection of photos (no more than 10) featuring stories and portraits of women and girls/boys and men, including from various social, age and professional groups; plus descriptive captions.
• A selection of photos (no more than 10) from various events.