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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope.

Consultancy Title: Graphic design consultant (social media)

Section/Division/Duty Station: Global Communication and Advocacy, Partnerships Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 1 February 2025 to 30 June 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote assignment with a minimum 4 hrs. cross over with NY working hours.

About UNICEF 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: 

The Graphic Design Consultant (social media) resides in the Digital Strategy Section within UNICEF's Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA). The Section consists of the Web Editorial, Digital Governance and Web Platforms, Social Media, and Digital Marketing and Partnerships teams, all working together to create compelling public-facing content and to provide expert digital services and capacity building within the organization.      

Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, the Digital Strategy Section (DSS) draws attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s work, encouraging public support, participation, and action, as well as ensuring greater transparency and accountability. We create and deliver compelling content to international audiences of parents, young people, and UNICEF supporters, building engaged communities in multiple languages across social media and web platforms, while providing expert digital services to the organization.

Scope of Work:

Under the guidance of the Digital Communication Manager, the consultant will work with the Social Media Team to create innovative digital and offline communication materials in multiple languages which adhere to UNICEF’s brand guidelines. The Graphic Designer is responsible for conceptualizing and developing the branding and graphic design assets for campaigns and initiatives on UNICEF’s social media platforms (including but not limited to Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Threads, YouTube, Bluesky GIPHY and LinkedIn);  various promotional materials (digital, print, PowerPoint, proposals, guidance material) and other initiatives as requested; ensuring services are in line with UNICEF branding, Communication Guidelines, and quality standards; and supporting brand excellence through capacity building and technical guidance.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Design and develop visual assets for UNICEF’s digital and social media platforms including but not limited to UNICEF’s global presence. This includes illustrations, banners, stickers, text graphics, video thumbnails, info graphics, factographics, quote cards, templates, short animations, etc. 

• Develop social media materials in support of humanitarian emergencies & the SDGS and UN General Assembly, for UNICEF’s own channels and for partners, influencers.
• Develop social media assets for global advocacy campaigns for UNICEF’s own channels and for partners, and influencers if required.
• Develop a monthly package (17) of thumbnail and IG Story designs.
• Develop 17 monthly LinkedIn newsletter visual assets.
• Produce translations of creative assets in French, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese collaborating with language digital producers.

Total Days: 240 (160 in 2025 + 80 in 2026). 1^st deadline 31 December 2025 (160 days), 2^nd deadline 30 June 2026 (80 days)

2. Support brand excellence and best practice on social media.       

• With the brand team, respond to Country Offices and agencies queries on social media design guidelines.
• Review social media assets developed in-house and by creative agencies across languages for compliance with UNICEF branding, Communication Guidelines, and quality standards.
• Participate in 4 capacity building sessions and technical support queries related to brand excellence on social media.
• Create/update templates and adaptable design assets for use by the Social Media Team, as well as other teams and offices.
• Participate in 75 Social Media Team meetings and cross-divisional brand working groups.

Days: 100 (65 in 2025 + 35 in 2026). 1^st deadline 31 December 2025 (65 days), 2^nd deadline 30 June 2026 (35 days)

3. Ensure that the Social Media Team’s presentations, reports, and other promotional products are aligned to brand guidance.  

• Create engaging photography-based designs and custom illustrations to support team members in the preparation of interactive multimedia presentations (Google Docs Presentations, PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.)

Days: 20 (12 in 2025 + 8 in 2026). 1^st deadline 31 December 2025 (12 days), 2^nd deadline 30 June 2026 (8 days)

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Bachelors) in Graphic Design, Visual Design, Communication, or a related field.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least five years of practical and relevant professional work experience in graphic design, communication and/or new media.
• Proven ability to conceptualize ideas, develop visual engagement strategies and optimize social media graphic assets for an international organization that can be customized for a wide range of channels.
• Proven experience creating a wide range of high-performing social media illustrations and photography-based graphics. 
• Good understanding of trends in digital and social media visual content and audiences, in both developing and developed regions.  
• Experienced use of graphic design software, including but not limited to: Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After effects, Premier Pro, and the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proven experience managing visuals for digital communication channels, including web and social media channels.
• Proven ability to produce flawless creative assets in a variety of languages.
• Knowledge of current best practices in visual digital communication strategies and engagement, and knowledge of best in class digital and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated understanding of rights-based messaging and visual representation that respects the dignity and agency of the children UNICEF supports.  
• Experienced use of digital asset management systems as well as productivity and collaboration tools.
• High attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks.
• International and/or international field experience is desirable. Knowledge of United Nations or other international aid or NGOs is highly desirable. Good understanding of world affairs, current events and development is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered as an asset.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Submit a portfolio of relevant work as this will be a key part of an assessment

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.