Consultant, Innovation and Education (CTC)

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About Office/Institute

United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions.  Through its postgraduate education programmes UNU-IAS develops future international leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.  UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit http://ias.unu.edu  

The Innovation and Education (IVE) Programme is a thematic area of UNU-IAS, aiming to promote research and practices on innovative and inclusive education and lifelong learning for sustainable development at all ages. It reinforces evidence-based policy advice to translate global goals into local actions with a close alignment with the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 Roadmap. One of the main activities is to strengthen the capacity of UNU-IAS global and regional networks, namely the Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/) and ProSPER.Net (https://prospernet.ias.unu.edu/ ) and collaborate with the networks to facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships.  

Responsibilities

The main assignment is to design a new RCE case study publication on action-oriented pedagogy for community-based education for sustainable development (AOP-ESD). Under the general supervision of the UNU-IAS Director and the direct supervision of the Head of the Innovation and Education (IVE) Programme the contractor shall:

1. Design the layout of an RCE case study publication, featuring 11 cases from RCE members around the world:

• Collaborate with the UNU team and the Communication Associate to understand the expectations and designed outputs;
• Ensure the design adheres to the UNU Visual Identity Guidelines
• Design the provided text and images into a reader-friendly case publication suitable for both academia and practitioners (approximately 100 pages, including covers, B5 format, 176 x 250 mm)
• Create infographics as necessary (maximum 1-2 per case study);
• Use colour hues that are black-and-white printing friendly;
• Procure images (if required) and ensure clearance of copyrights for all images and photos used in the publication.

2. Ensure publication style aligns with the UNU and UN guidelines:

• Follow UN Editorial Manual, available at: https://www.un.org/dgacm/en/content/editorial-manual
• Adhere to UN publication guidelines, including considerations for gender-responsive images, photo/image copyrights, SDG colour schemes, etc.

3. Provide both raw/editable files (InDesign or other Adobe applications) and PDF versions of the publication:

• Deliver the raw file of the design for future edits by the UNU team;
• Create and submit high-resolution print-ready files and low-resolution web-ready files of the RCE publication
• Provide two file formats: (i) single (1 to page) and (ii) double (2 to a page).

4. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisors, as necessary.

Key performance indicators

• Timely and quality design and development of the publication
• Timely and quality delivery of both editable file and pdf file of the finalized publication

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• A bachelor's degree or higher in graphic design or a related field
• A bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field

2) Required skills and experience

• Extensive experience (at least 5 years) in graphic design, particularly in designing for digital and print publications targeting a broad audience.
• Familiarity with academic publishing standards, particularly Harvard Style
• Proficient in Adobe applications, such as InDesign, Creative Cloud, Photoshop
• Experience in designing publications on the topic of sustainable development and UN publications will be highly regarded.
• The skills of writing of technical documentation, proactive, sound judgment, resilience, and an interest in web development from a user-friendly perspective are desirable.

3) Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.

Duration

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC). Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Remuneration

This contract carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date

1 July 2024

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

14 June 2024

Assessment

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

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