Publications Layout and Graphic Designer

Publications Layout and Graphic Designer

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

October 28, 2025December 12, 2025JohannesburgSouth Africa
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) About
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works in more than 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s people. Its mission: to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. The organization is committed to achieving transformative results that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. UNFPA emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are dedicated to delivering high-impact results.

Job Overview:
The Publications Layout and Graphic Designer will play a crucial role in supporting UNFPA's mission by producing high-quality, visually compelling publications and digital assets. This position requires a creative professional with extensive agency experience and strong project management skills, capable of delivering innovative design products under tight deadlines. The consultant will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing designs for various publications, ensuring alignment with UNFPA's branding and corporate identity guidelines. The role involves reimagining UNFPA's visual storytelling by transforming data and insights into engaging communication materials that resonate with diverse audiences, including governments, donors, and the public. The ideal candidate will thrive in a multicultural, virtual, and fast-paced environment, demonstrating a proactive approach to design and project management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected consultant will be expected to perform a variety of duties, including:
  • Design and Layout: Conceptualize and execute innovative designs for publications and knowledge products such as reports, policy briefs, infographics, toolkits, and posters. Develop engaging layouts and templates that enhance institutional branding and ensure clarity and visual impact. Produce digital communications materials, including social media assets and multimedia graphics. Create PowerPoint presentations for high-level meetings and events.
  • Project Management: Establish and implement a project management process to track progress, ensure timely delivery of outputs, and identify potential risks or delays. Coordinate with communications and technical teams to streamline content and design workflows. Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines.
  • Templates and Capacity Building: Create standardized templates and design toolkits for project teams and country offices, ensuring consistency with corporate identity guidelines. Provide guidance and training to staff on the use of templates and best practices in layout and design.
  • Branding and Quality Control: Ensure all products align with UNFPA branding and corporate visual identity standards. Copyedit and lightly edit content for accuracy and clarity, incorporating feedback from editors and proofreaders into final documents. Provide support to technical focal points in developing content for various communication materials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a proactive approach to design, merging creativity with organizational discipline. Essential qualifications include a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in generating publications design and layout, preferably within an agency or international organization. Proficiency in graphic design and video editing software, particularly Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), is required. Experience in communicating complex development issues to diverse audiences is a strong advantage. Familiarity with UN editorial guidelines and templates, as well as an understanding of sustainable development issues, is desirable. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are essential, along with the ability to work in fast-paced environments with rapid turnaround requirements.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in graphic design, communications, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with additional relevant experience may be considered. Candidates should have a strong portfolio showcasing visual samples and previous work in design and visual communications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a Master's degree, or 6 years for those with a Bachelor's degree. Experience should include generating publications design and layout, preferably at the agency level or within an international organization. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in graphic design and video editing, with a strong understanding of the production process from conceptualization to published product.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, while knowledge of French is highly desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to engage with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set for a duration of six months, starting from 15 November 2025 to 15 May 202
  • The work will be delivered in a hybrid/remote arrangement, with completed work submitted electronically to the hiring manager at UNFPA ESARO office. The selected consultant will be expected to deliver work at the end of each month, including professionally designed reports, digital communications products, and standardized templates. Regular progress updates will be required to monitor adherence to production schedules. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Communications Advisor and will not be expected to travel. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, encouraging applications from individuals of various backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ community members, and persons with disabilities.
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