Roster for Photographic Services (local candidates only)

Capture and document the situation of children and UNICEF activities in Serbia through photography.

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 6 months ago: Monday 22 Dec 2025 at 22:55 UTC

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Overview

Capture and document the situation of children and UNICEF activities in Serbia through photography.

You have:

  • Professional photographer experience, with sensitivity for working with children and adolescents.
  • Fluency in Serbian and English languages.
  • Experience in working with UNICEF will be considered as an asset.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope.

The roster of photographers will serve as human resources repository from which the Country Office can draw pre-vetted, well qualified professionals quickly and efficiently for assignments.

The required services will include provision of high-quality photographic coverage of the situation of children and families in Serbia related to UNICEF programmes.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Advocacy and Communication Officer and the Senior Digital Communication Associate, the consultant will:

  • Photograph UNICEF and UNICEF-supported activities, field visits, events, and human-interest subjects across Serbia.
  • Capture images that accurately, ethically, and sensitively reflect the situation of children, families, and communities.
  • Ensure all individuals photographed, especially children, have signed UNICEF consent forms before taking images.
  • Provide complete and accurate captions and metadata in English as per UNICEF’s Imagery Guidance.
  • Select and edit a curated set of high-quality images per assignment.
  • Submit imagery in compliance with all technical specifications, outlined below.
  • Ensure all work aligns with UNICEF’s brand, visibility, and safeguarding standards.

Detailed work assignment description:

Task 1: Photograph the situation of children and women in Serbia, UNICEF and UNICEF-supported programme activities and programmes, with priorities defined by UNICEF for each specific assignment, and in compliance with full photo specifications.

- Submit 5–10 edited photos within 1 day of the assignment completion. - Submit signed consent forms for all photographed persons. - Include complete captions and metadata in English.

Deliverables: - 5 – 10 images within 1 hour if event-based. - 10 –20 high-quality edited photographs per assignment by end of the day. - Captions and metadata in English for each photograph. - Signed consent forms for all photographed persons.

Task 2: Produce photographs for human-interest and/or feature stories.

- Submit 20–30 edited photos within 1 day of the assignment completion. - Submit signed consent forms for all photographed persons. - Include complete captions and metadata in English.

Deliverables:

- 20–30 edited photos illustrating a human-interest or feature story. - Completed captions and metadata in English included into each photograph in English. - Signed consent forms for all photographed persons.

Task 3: Multi-day Photographic Documentation (2–3 Days)

- Submit 30–40 edited photos within 1 day of the assignment completion. - Submit signed consent forms for all photographed persons. - Include complete captions and metadata in English.

Deliverables: - 30–40 edited photos from multi-site or longitudinal coverage. - Completed captions and metadata in English. - Signed consent forms for all photographed persons.

Timeframe: Within 1 week of assignment.

Task 4: Produce Photo Essay (Documentary-Style Visual Storytelling)

- Submit a fully curated photo essay consisting of 5–15 high-quality photographs that together create a coherent and compelling visual narrative on a single theme, event, or human-interest subject within 1 week of assignment date. - Include a strong variety of shot types (wide, medium, close-up, detail) to ensure depth of storytelling and effective pacing of the photo essay. - Write: a) Complete descriptive captions for each selected image (date, location, activity/programme context, names and ages of children where applicable, and relevant situational details). b) Short factual field notes offering additional context for the visual story. c) Direct quotes from subjects, collected only when agreed in advance with UNICEF.

Deliverables: - A fully curated photo essay consisting of 5–15 high-quality photographs that together create a coherent and compelling visual narrative on a single theme, event, or human-interest subject, that include a strong variety of shot types (wide, medium, close-up, detail) to ensure depth of storytelling and effective pacing of the photo essay. - Completed descriptive captions for each selected image (date, location, activity/programme context, names and ages of children where applicable, and relevant situational details). - Short factual field notes offering additional context for the visual story. - Direct quotes from subjects, collected only when agreed in advance with UNICEF. - Signed consent forms for all photographed persons.

Task 5: Produce a New Photo Library for UNICEF Serbia Submit a set of minimum 500 high-quality photographs in colour and black and white, covering themes and topics outlined in the UNICEF assignment brief and taken across multiple locations in Serbia (urban/rural settings, households, institutions, communities).

Deliverables: - A new curated set of minimum 500 high-quality photographs in colour and black and white, covering themes and topics outlined in the UNICEF assignment brief. After each individual shoot or location visit, the photographer must deliver that batch of images within 1 week of completing the shoot. - Completed captions and metadata in English. - Signed consent forms for all photographed persons.

UNICEF’s support: - A full assignment brief. - Access to certain locations (e.g., schools, hospitals), while the photographer will identify and manage additional subjects/locations (e.g., families, communities).

Timeframe: Up to 4 months.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

  • Professional photographer experience, with sensitivity for working with children and adolescents,
  • Fluency in Serbian and English languages.
  • Experience in working with UNICEF will be considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

How to apply:

The application must include the following:

  • Portfolio showcasing relevant work,
  • Financial Proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the fees for the following:

1. Photographic Coverage of UNICEF Activities - Up to 1 hour: - Up to 2 hours: - Half day (up to 4 hours): - Full day: 2. Human-Interest & Feature Stories - Up to 1 hour: - Up to 2 hours: - Half day (up to 4 hours): - Full day: 3. Multi-day Photographic Documentation (2–3 days): 4. Photo Essay: 5. Production of New Photo Library for UNICEF Serbia (please provide a lump sum, including all travel costs and daily travel allowance): 6. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Serbia (including accommodation): 7. Transportation cost per km (for travel within Serbia):

The successful candidates will be included in the UNICEF local roster of photographers for a period of 3 years. Entry into the roster system does not mean that a contract with UNICEF is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. Where a request for services arises, UNICEF will approach selected photographers from the roster with a specific assignment and check their interest and availability.

Important notes:

  • Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
  • Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
  • Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a time when you had to capture sensitive images of children or families? This question assesses your experience and sensitivity when photographing vulnerable subjects. Explain the context, your approach to ensure sensitivity, and the outcome.
How do you ensure that the consent forms are properly completed before taking photographs? This question evaluates your understanding and adherence to ethical photographic practices. Pro members can see the explanation.
What techniques do you use to tell a compelling story through your photographs? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenging assignment you completed. What did you learn from it? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you manage the technical specifications required by UNICEF in your photographic work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a time when your photographs had a significant impact on a project or community? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
In what ways do you ensure that your photography aligns with UNICEF's brand and safeguarding standards? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your process for selecting and editing images for a project? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unicef.org