Visual Storytelling and Design Consultant

Result of ServicePromotion of zero waste practices and raised awareness of environmental sustainability. Work LocationRemote Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. The position is in the Urban Basic Service Section of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) with the Global Solutions Division in Nairobi. The Global Solutions Division (GSD) is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training to staff members and supports the capacity development of Member States and partners. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production and skills centre of the UN-Habitat, which develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practice. It provides technical and policy advice approaches and methodologies to MCOs/CO, government, and partners and mainstreams them throughout the programme portfolio. It also ensures that the cross-cutting area of safety and the social inclusion issues of human rights; gender; children, youth, and older persons; and disability are developed and mainstreamed across the Agency. The Urban Basic Services Section aims to develop and implement pro-poor policies, norms, guidelines, standards, regulatory frameworks, and operating procedures, for expanding access to urban basic services and improving the standard of living of the urban poor, with a focus on Water and Sanitation; Mobility and Transport; Energy; Waste Management; and the application of people-focused frontier technologies for service delivery. The position will focus on supporting UN-Habitat work on promoting zero waste approach to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Zero Waste Publications project aims to advance global understanding and promote practical solutions for sustainable waste management, with a focus on eliminating waste generation and fostering circular economies. Through a diverse range of outputs, these publications highlight successful practices, case studies, and actionable strategies for cities and communities worldwide. This effort supports the broader objectives of reducing environmental impact, addressing climate change, and achieving the SDGs, particularly those related to responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities, and environmental conservation. The publications serve as educational tools, awareness-raising materials, and resources for policymakers, practitioners, and communities seeking to adopt zero waste principles. The Zero Waste Coffee Table Book will be an engaging visual journey through the world of sustainable waste management practices. It will curate a wide array of photographs capturing innovative and impactful zero waste solutions implemented in various regions. The book narrates these images through a compelling storyline, blending visual artistry with insights into the transformation of waste management systems. Designed as a tool to inspire and inform, the coffee table book highlights real-world examples of waste reduction, recycling innovations, and community-driven initiatives. Its purpose is not only to raise awareness but to motivate action, appealing to both casual readers and professionals in the sustainability field. Responsibilities The Consultant will be responsible for overseeing the creation and design of the Zero Waste Coffee Table Book, a flagship publication aimed at showcasing successful waste management practices and inspiring action towards zero waste initiatives. This role involves ensuring the seamless production, design, and launch of the coffee table book, ultimately contributing to global efforts to promote zero waste practices and raise awareness of environmental sustainability. • Create a compelling storyline that highlights key messages, lessons learned, and successes. • Formulate terms of reference and set up a small jury of experts, e.g., in photography and arts and analyze the curated collection of photos and formulate a cohesive narrative that links the images together. • Prepare a competition and selecting the photographs fitting the thematic focus outlined in the story line. • Ensure a diverse representation of global best practices and innovative approaches related to the subject matter. • Secure necessary permissions for the use of images, adhering to copyright regulations and other intellectual property considerations. • Conceptualize and design the layout of the coffee-table book, ensuring a visually appealing and reader-friendly presentation. • Incorporate high-quality visuals, balanced text-to-image ratios, and consistent typography that enhances the overall aesthetic. • Prepare the final design for online publishing, ensuring all technical specifications for publishing are met, including format, and resolution. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in International Security, International Relations or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of 5 years' experience in graphic design, photography, or a related creative field with a strong focus on visual storytelling and publication design is required. Proven expertise in curating and designing visually compelling content, particularly for print, is an asset. Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) is required Experience in working with international organizations or on high-profile publications, familiarity with sustainable development or environmental themes is considered an asset. Publications/examples of similar work and portfolio of visual photo materials are required. Attach as supporting documents in the application or/and providing links to such examples (links can be included in the motivational letter). LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable. 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.