Senior New Media Graphic Designer (New Media Graphic Artist)

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-7 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The incumbent is a team member of the Electronic Publishing Unit, located in the English, Publishing and Library Section, Conference Management Service, Division for Management, United Nations Office at Vienna. The Unit is responsible for all elements related to electronic publication incorporating graphic and web design, copy preparation/copy editing, typesetting/page layout, new media and format production, and proof-reading. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of the Unit.

For more information on UNOV, please visit our website: www.unov.org.

Responsibilities Within limits of delegated authority, the Senior New Media Graphic Designer works under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Unit and will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides creative design solutions over a wide range of different types of published media, from creating initial client visuals through to the finalized digital files of the finished product. The products are web- or multimedia-based and produced in the six working languages of the United Nations.
• Works directly with clients to discuss potential design projects, including substantive content, communication objectives, new media and design options, technical specifications, costs, schedules/deadlines, etc.
• Independently undertakes design assignments, including high-priority requests, for a variety of United Nations sponsored activities (e.g. major conferences, observances, events and campaigns); conceptualizes and develops for review by clients design proposals including still photography, sound and video clips, or more abstract and interactive graphic solutions.
• Prepares all approved designs in any appropriate electronic format for final review and production; applies quality control.
• Prepares/coordinates production of new media and new electronic publishing formats for use by clients, CMS and for wider distribution/dissemination.
• Works directly with clients on new EPU services and products such as web design/search engine optimization, electronic publication formats, such as ePubs and enhanced ebooks, Apps.
• Provide input and guidance to production coordination on schedules/workloads/deliverables of new media products/services.
• Provides guidance and support throughout the project production process; coordinates and follows up with clients and other relevant parties (e.g. copy-editors and proofreaders, external contractors, production staff, and library staff etc.) and ensures that the project is on schedule.
• Directly supervises G-6 staff working on new media/website design and development.
• Supervises staff by identifying and resolving issues, monitoring staff performance, and participating and overseeing staff training.
• Provides input/expertise on metadata, database and system development.
• Produces final project files for clients, webmasters and publishers.
• Acts as Officer-in-Charge for the Chief, Electronic Publishing Unit, in the latter’s absence, when requested.

• Performs other related work as required.

  Competencies - Professionalism – Has excellent graphic art/multimedia skills and demonstrated ability to independently develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for varied media projects (e.g. web, multimedia, video and 3-D animation, etc.). Is able to handle multiple design projects simultaneously. Very good knowledge of standard industry production processes and of internal United Nations production practices and operations. Has strong desktop publishing skills, including knowledge of graphic design and layout. Has very good knowledge of photography and video manipulation. Has sound knowledge of the United Nations system. Has good knowledge of relevant internal policies, processes and procedures including sound knowledge of the United Nations editorial policies for publications. Has demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Managerial Competencies - Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in graphic arts production methods, including high-level knowledge of web and multimedia creation software and graphic design is required. Experience working with current web practices and trends in digital publishing is required. Experience working with specialized programs and computer hardware is desirable: Full Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection, Content Management Systems, 3D creation software e.g. Maya, 3D Max. Experience with XML metadata, HTML, CSS and Javascript, and Actionscript is desirable. Experience in the use of animation/whiteboard animation programs such as Explaindio or Videoscribe and of databases e.g. MySQL, and server-side scripts e.g. PHP, is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Other Skills and Requirements Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application.

The GGST is a proctored entry-level examination at the duty station. Any travel expenses incurred in order to take the examination are the responsibility of the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Organization.

Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.