TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

Functional Title	Consultant – Graphic Designer
Executing Unit	Climate Change and Urban Environment Section (CCUE-S), Global Solutions Division (GSD), UN-Habitat
Type of Contract	IICA, UNOPS contract
Duration of Assignment	6 months, extendable
Dates	October 2026 - March 2027 (Full time)

 

BACKGROUND 

 

The 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 with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. 

 

The Climate Change and Urban Environment team supports the implementation of UN-Habitat’s work on climate action and environmental sustainability. Its portfolio includes global climate diplomacy, Nationally Determined Contributions, multilevel climate action, urban resilience, climate-vulnerable communities, environmental and social safeguards, and urban climate innovation and thought leadership.

 

The team produces a wide range of knowledge, policy and communications products, including global and thematic reports, technical publications, policy briefs, city-level reports, methodologies, action plans, evaluations, advocacy materials, presentation slide decks and digital communications products.

 

A substantial number of publications and related communications products are expected to be developed over a six-month period. UN-Habitat is therefore seeking a Graphic Designer to lead the planning, coordination, design and delivery of this portfolio. The Graphic Designer will undertake major design assignments directly and coordinate the work of up to two additional graphic designers recruited separately to provide supplementary design capacity.

 

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY 

 

The objective of the contract is to strengthen the Climate Change and Urban Environment team’s ability to communicate its research, evidence, data, policy recommendations and key messages through compelling, accessible and strategically designed publications and visual communications products.

 

Through effective visual storytelling, information design and coordinated design support, the Graphic Designer will help translate complex technical content into clear and engaging products tailored to diverse technical, policy and public audiences. This work will increase the visibility, accessibility and practical value of the team’s knowledge, enabling stakeholders to understand the evidence and use it to inform their own policies, programmes and decisions and to accelerate local climate action.

The assignment will contribute to the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 by strengthening the communication of evidence, approaches and results related to climate action and environmental, with housing, land and urban basic services at the centre.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

In close collaboration with colleagues from the Climate Change and Urban Environment section and other design focal points, the Graphic Designer will perform the following functions:

 

• Lead the visual development, layout and production of reports, policy briefs, technical publications and other knowledge products in accordance with UN-Habitat and relevant partner branding requirements.

• Consult with publication leads and communications colleagues to understand the purpose, audience, key messages, design requirements, timelines and required formats for publications and related communications products.

• Plan and coordinate the team’s design portfolio, manage workloads and priorities, and ensure the timely delivery of design outputs in accordance with agreed schedules.

• Translate research, data and technical content into clear and engaging visual products, including charts, maps, infographics, illustrations and other forms of visual storytelling, based on information and concepts provided or approved by the project team.

• Design communications-related materials, including PowerPoint presentations, social media graphics, launch materials, web banners, virtual meeting backgrounds, email signature graphics, roll up banners and other digital and print assets, as required.

• Support with copy-editing, including drafting and refining captions, headings and other short explanatory text required for publications and visual communications products, and reviewing content to identify and address inconsistencies in language, grammar, style and structure.

• Manage the design review and finalization process in coordination with project teams, incorporating agreed feedback and ensuring the quality, consistency, accessibility and technical readiness of final products for digital publication or printing.

• Maintain an organized system for design templates, visual assets and editable source files, ensuring that final products and supporting materials are appropriately stored, catalogued and available for future use.

• Support the recruitment and onboarding of additional graphic designers and coordinate their work, including assigning tasks, preparing briefs, monitoring progress and quality-assuring their outputs. 

1.  

EXPECTED RESULTS

 

The work of the Graphic Designer is expected to achieve the following results:

 

• The Climate Change and Urban Environment team’s priority publications and design products are completed within agreed timelines and to a consistently high professional standard.

• Publications and communications materials have a coherent visual identity and comply with UN-Habitat and relevant partner branding requirements.

• Complex and priority publications are effectively designed and produced, including appropriate data visualizations and supporting communications materials.

• The design production pipeline is effectively planned, monitored and coordinated over the six-month period.

• Additional graphic designers receive clear briefs, appropriate guidance and timely quality assurance, enabling them to deliver outputs that meet UN-Habitat standards.

• Review processes are organized and documented, and agreed feedback is accurately incorporated.

• Final publications are accessible, suitable for digital dissemination and, where required, technically ready for printing.

• Editable files and visual assets are systematically organized, catalogued and available to the team for future use.

 

COMPETENCIES

 

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies; Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital communications strategy, tools, approaches and practices for the creation and maintenance of high-quality communication campaigns; Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze, strategize and integrate diverse information from various multimedia and digital sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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.

 

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

 

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

 

TEAMWORK: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

 

Academic qualifications

An advanced university degree in graphic design, visual communication, communication design, information design or a related field is desirable.

 

A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Experience and skills: 

 

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in graphic design, publication design, visual communication or a related field is required.

• Experience leading complex publication-design assignments from initial briefing through final production using Adobe programs is highly desirable.

• Experience designing technical reports, policy publications, data-heavy publications or knowledge products for international audiences is required.

• Experience coordinating or providing creative direction and quality assurance to other designers is desirable.

• Working experience with the UN or a related international organization is desirable.

 

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

 

Duration and workplace

The contract will be for a period of six months on a full-time, home-based basis. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to work full-time in-person with colleagues at the office, located in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

The Graphic Designer will be expected to be available during agreed working hours and to participate in meetings with the supervisor, project leads, technical colleagues and additional designers. The assignment may require flexibility during peak publication periods and ahead of major events or publication deadlines.

 

Remuneration

In accordance with the Financial Rules and Regulations of the United Nations and the Administrative Instruction for Consultants and Individual Contractors, the consultant shall be paid a monthly fee at IICA Level I which will cover consultancy fees.

 

Applications should include:

• A cover memo of no more than one page outlining the applicant’s suitability and interest in the assignment.

• A completed PHP form (Personal History Profile) indicating: 

  • educational background, 

  • professional experience, 

  • and other relevant experience and expertise.

• A portfolio or link to an online portfolio demonstrating relevant experience in publication design, editorial layout, data visualization, presentation design and digital communications materials. Applicants should clearly indicate their role in each example submitted.

• Contact details for at least two professional references.

 

All applications should be submitted to: Bernhard Barth (bernhard.barth@un.org) and CC Pauline Muthoni (Pauline.Muthoni@un.org).

Deadline 20 September 2026