Graphic Design Assistant

Contribute to OSAA-sponsored activities by supporting clear, consistent visual communication from concept to production. This Graphic Design Assistant role is based in the Strategic Management Unit within the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa in New York, NY (onsite), helping teams deliver conferences, observances, events, and campaigns through branded, print-ready and digital-ready design.

Responsibilities

• Join team meetings to discuss design projects, including substantive content, communication goals, media options (including electronic products), design alternatives, technical specifications, costs, and timelines.
• Handle design assignments independently, including high-priority requests, for a range of OSAA-sponsored activities; develop design proposals for review, including photographic, illustrative, or more abstract graphic approaches.
• Prepare approved designs in electronic formats for final review and printing, following UN and OSAA branding guidelines; review color and print proofs as needed.
• Support and coordinate project production end to end by following up with relevant parties (such as copy and proofreaders, production staff, library and cartography staff) and helping ensure work stays on schedule.
• Assist with collecting and analyzing data, preparing data presentations and reports for information sharing, and responding to queries related to knowledge management, planning, and decision-making.
• Support visualizations and update information materials, including web pages and publications.
• Perform other related work as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A test or examination in Graphic Design is required.
• English is required.
• French is desirable.

Experience and Reporting

Minimum experience: seven (7) years in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, or a related area.

Reduced experience: The minimum is reduced to five (5) years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher.

Desirable: one (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or a related area.

Reporting line: This position is located in the Strategic Management Unit, Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, and the incumbent reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrated expertise in graphic arts, graphic design, visual communications, layout, branding, and digital media production.
• Professionalism: Persistence with difficult problems; ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Accountability: Ownership of responsibilities and commitments.
• Accountability: Delivery of outputs within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
• Technological awareness: Stay current on relevant technology, understand its limitations and applicability, and actively apply it to appropriate tasks.

Assessment and Notices

Candidates meeting the minimum requirements may be asked to participate in an assessment exercise in the field of graphic design.

• This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules.
• Applicants in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located.
• Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for relocation expenses to the duty station.
• Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
• The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
• Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided when requested and indicated in the application.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Additional information: The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Candidates may be subject to reference checks if under serious consideration. The United Nations does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.