Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 21 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This position is located in the Conference Management Section (CMS), Resources Management and Service Development Division (RMSDD) of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The incumbent reports to the supervisor of the Publishing, Production and Dissemination Team, under the overall direction of the Chief of CMS.

Responsibilities

The Senior Graphic Design Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Performs desktop publishing to produce a variety of print material and publications for various purposes, using relevant computer systems and software applications, including interactive PDFs and e-pub. 2. Identifies relevant content from existing and new information sources; applies approved taxonomy and editorial guidelines; ensures important content is spotted for presentation as key messages or highlights; 3. Prepares information materials for specific projects, proposes concepts for design and presentation for diverse promotion and communication purposes. 4. Reviews and/or edits scripts and stories to understand, create and edit animations as per requirements and prepare presentations with raw and final designs to clients, using relevant software and techniques. 5. Manages design projects, from creation of concepts, models, drawings and illustrations by hand or electronically to the production, and quality control. 6. Develops storyboards for the initial stages of production, using creativity and artistic techniques to tell a story or convey information in visual forms. 7. Joins images with background graphics and special effects and ensures synchronization of frames and audio. 8. Assists with scheduling of various components of the production process, e.g. copy and proofreading, graphics, translation services, typesetting, printing, etc.). 9. Liaises with relevant parties on job specifications and approval of mechanicals for dispatch, etc. 10. Tracks and monitors production flow to ensure that deadlines are met and projects are delivered according to the requirements and quality indicators. 11. Conducts training and performs other related work as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of standard industry production and printing processes, including desktop publishing, design and layout. Knowledge of internal UN printing practices and operations. 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. Committed to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

A university degree (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in languages, graphic arts or related disciplines is desirable.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 8 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. 2 years of experience in using 2D/3D, computer-generated animation, CGI software (Photoshop, 3ds Max), Adobe Suite (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects or similar software); etc. for content creation is desirable. 1 year of experience in traditional/software-aided illustration, computer animation, infographic design, printmaking, book illustration, art installation and photography or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment(s) which may be followed by 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. • The candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred in order to take attend assessments and interviews and, in the event of an employment offer, any costs related to travel and relocation to the duty station. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any task or function in the organization. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions during their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.