Video Illustrator/Animator for Gender Sensitisation in Agribusiness for SMEs in East Africa

Result of Service• Participate in a kick-off meeting with the SheTrades team and gender expert to finalize the scripts, approach, and visual style (mid-June 2025). • Submit draft storyboards and visual outlines for all videos for review and approval (end of August 2025). • Submit first full drafts of all 6 videos, incorporating the approved storyboards and initial feedback (end of September 2025). • Submit final, fully edited, subtitled videos and editable source files after incorporating all feedback (end of November 2025). Work LocationHome based (preferably in East Africa) Expected duration5 months (part time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations (UN) and World Trade Organization (WTO) based in Geneva, Switzerland. ITC’s mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition-economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions (TSIs) and policymakers. The International Trade Centre implements various projects on trade and gender to create an ecosystem of integrated solutions that empower women economically through greater integration in trade and investment. The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP II) aims to promote economic growth in the East African Community (EAC) through private sector development and export promotion. It seeks to enhance sustainable and inclusive intra-African trade, pan-African trade, and trade with the European Union (EU). MARKUP II will address trade barriers, value addition, compliance, trade facilitation, investment, technology transfer, and institutional support. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the only implementation agency, working in partnership with the EU regional Delegation, the EAC Secretariat and the governments of six EAC member states. MARKUP II builds on the achievements of its predecessor, MARKUP I, streamlining procedures, supporting enterprises, and facilitating international trade. The sectors of intervention are avocado, cocoa, coffee, essential oils, french beans, gum arabic, horticulture, leather, packaging, spices and tea. A critical part of this programme involves promoting gender-responsive business practices in key agricultural value chains, including coffee, avocado, horticulture, and leather, through the ITC SheTrades initiative. As part of these efforts, ITC seeks to produce a series of short, animated or illustrated videos (6 videos of 1–2 minutes each) that communicate key messages about gender inclusion in agricultural value chains, using a relatable and context-specific East African visual style for SMEs. These videos will support gender sensitization, encourage inclusive practices, and showcase real-life business solutions emerging from East African SMEs. Description of Duties/Responsibilities The objective of the assignment is to create a series of 6 engaging, animated, visually compelling short videos that: • Convey the business case for gender-responsive practices in agriculture. • Illustrate real-world challenges, solutions, and success stories from East Africa. • Reflect authentic East African cultures, people, landscapes, and agricultural practices. • Support training, outreach, and awareness efforts under the MARKUP II programme. The selected illustrator/animator will be expected to: • Design, animate and produce 6 short videos (1–2 minutes each) based on provided scripts, including creating subtitles. • Work closely with ITC’s SheTrades team and gender expert throughout the process. • Develop culturally appropriate visual concepts and storyboards that represent East African realities and agricultural settings of the selected value chains • Align visuals and animations with the themes of gender sensitization and inclusive value chain development. • Reflect diversity, inclusion, and local authenticity in the portrayal of characters, environments, and activities. • Produce final videos optimized for online and offline dissemination (social media, training sessions, project websites) and aligned with ITC, EU and EAC branding • Deliver high-quality files and editable project files (e.g., After Effects, Illustrator, or similar formats). • Perform a maximum of 3 rounds of extensive review. The topics for the video production that will be finalized together with the consultant, include the following: - Gender Inequality in Agricultural Value Chains: The impact of gender disparities on productivity, profitability, and overall supply chain efficiency. - Business Case for Gender Equality: How investing in gender equality improves operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and compliance with international standards - Key Gender-Based Constraints: Common barriers faced by women in agriculture at the supplier and worker levels, and their effect on business performance. - SheTrades Approach to Gender-Responsive Business Practices: Supporting businesses in adopting gender-responsive strategies through training, gender analysis, and action plans. - Practical Gender Analysis for Companies: How to assess gender dynamics across the supply chain, services, and workplace to identify opportunities for improvement. - Inclusive Farmer Engagement: Promoting shared decision-making within farming households to ensure equitable distribution of resources and benefits. - Gender-Responsive Service Delivery: Adaptations to services that support women farmers, including training, financing, and better service models. - Creating Inclusive and Safe Workspaces: Developing policies that ensure safe, equitable, and supportive work environments for all employees. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. Qualifications/special skillsA Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Animation, Multimedia Arts, Visual Communications, Fine Arts, Film Production, Communications, or a related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree. • Proven track record in creating animated or illustrated videos for gender sensitization, agricultural development, or inclusive business projects, ideally in East Africa. • Prior experience working on visual communication materials for international organizations, NGOs, or donor-funded projects (e.g., EU, UN, World Bank, etc.). • Familiarity with agricultural value chains and rural community dynamics in East Africa is a strong asset. • Experience producing content related to women's empowerment, gender equality, sustainable supply chains, or SME development. • Experience coordinating closely with project teams, technical experts, and gender specialists during content creation. • Strong illustration and animation skills, with the ability to develop engaging short-format videos (1–2 minutes). • Excellent storytelling ability, with a focus on simplifying complex gender and business topics for broad audiences. • Ability to create culturally appropriate visuals that resonate with East African audiences, reflecting local people, settings, and value chains (coffee, avocado, horticulture, leather, gum arabic). • Proficiency in relevant design and animation software (e.g., Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, or equivalent). • Ability to deliver high-quality, subtitled videos optimized for digital and offline use (social media, workshops, training). • Strong organizational and project management skills to work independently, meet deadlines and incorporate feedback promptly. LanguagesFluency in English is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.