Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). The post is in the Publishing Services Section, Division of Conference Services, UNON. Under the broad supervision of the Chief of Section, the Graphic Arts Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Participates in initial meetings with clients to discuss potential design and large format print projects, e.g. substantive content, communication objectives, media (including electronically published products) and design options, technical specifications, costs, schedules/deadlines, etc. • Independently undertakes design assignments, including high priority requests, for a variety of UN-sponsored activities (e.g. major conferences, observances, events and campaigns, etc.); conceptualizes and develops design and large format print proposals for review by clients, which may include photographic, illustrative or more abstract graphic solutions. • Prepares all approved designs in electronic format for final review and printing; reviews color and print proofs as required. • Provides guidance and support throughout the project production process; coordinates and follows-up with clients and other relevant parties (e.g. copy and proofreaders, production staff, library and cartography staff, etc.) and ensures that project in on schedule. • Creates associated cost estimates emphasizing attention to the correct use of standard costs and details of the requested job. • Conceptualizes and designs the layout for web pages for new or already existing websites using online web design tools to produce the websites requested by clients including publications, video content, animations and any other information related to their meeting, event or project. • Conceptualizes and designs motion-picture and animated videos using state of the art software to cover requests by clients including the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate their creation. • Operates modern digital printing and finishing equipment such as large inkjet color digital press, latex and outdoor large format printers, UV-LED Flat-bed large format printers, digital paper cutters, thermal wide format laminators, digital booklet finishing units, die cutting equipment. • Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of standard industry production and printing processes, including desktop publishing, design and layout using Adobe in-Design. Knowledge in the use of UV-LED Flat bed and latex large format printers, modern digital printing and finishing equipment such as large inkjet color digital press, digital paper cutters, thermal wide format laminators, digital booklet finishing units and die cutting equipment. Knowledge of photography, page layout and photograph sizing. Good graphic art skills and demonstrated ability to independently develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for varied print media projects (e.g. posters, banners, brochures, press kits, book covers, book designs, etc.). Ability to handle multiple design projects. 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. Commitment 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 and is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. 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 and shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Completion of high school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary training in publishing, digital and finishing technologies is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of Seven (7) years of experience in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, or related area is required. The minimum year of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree. Five years’ experience in the use of UV-LED Flat bed and latex large format printers, digital booklet finishing units, die cutting equipment and thermal wide format laminators is required. One (1) year experience in the creation of cost estimates relating work with associated costs is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English language (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ” confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. ” 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

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.