Visual Design Online Volunteer

Job Posting Organization:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization established in 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly in response to the aftermath of the Second World War. Its mission is to save lives, protect rights, and build a better future for people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. UNHCR operates in 136 countries, providing essential life-saving assistance such as shelter, food, water, and medical care to refugees and forcibly displaced communities. The organization advocates for the rights of these individuals, helping them find safety and a place to rebuild their lives. UNHCR's vision is to create a world where everyone forced to flee can build a better future, and its primary objective is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and other people of concern, providing international protection and humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
The Visual Design Online Volunteer will play a crucial role in supporting UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Eastern and Southern Africa, which oversees a diverse portfolio of projects at the humanitarian-development nexus. This position involves creating visually engaging materials that communicate complex research findings in an accessible manner. The volunteer will be responsible for designing country profiles, infographics, and other communication materials that will be utilized by governments, development partners, and UNHCR staff. The role requires collaboration with various teams to ensure that the visual outputs align with the organization's branding and accessibility standards, ultimately contributing to advocacy efforts and enhancing staff capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Designing high-quality layouts for country profiles, infographics, and data visualizations that effectively synthesize key findings from policy and institutional analysis.
• Creating PowerPoint presentations, Canva publications, dashboards, and other materials that facilitate learning, advocacy, and donor engagement.
• Developing visually consistent and branded templates for briefings, summaries, and knowledge products.
• Supporting the creation of simple, short videos or animated visuals to accompany learning materials and country-level overviews.
• Assisting in packaging lessons learned, best practices, and case studies for both internal and external audiences.
• Contributing to the maintenance of shared visual content libraries and ensuring that all outputs align with UNHCR branding and accessibility standards.
• Participating in weekly coordination calls and ad hoc design consultations with the regional supervisor, utilizing platforms such as MS Teams, email, and shared tools like OneDrive and Canva for collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong visual design skills, with proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools. A good understanding of branding and accessibility standards is essential. The ability to communicate complex information visually and effectively is crucial, as is experience in creating infographics and data visualizations. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a remote environment are also required. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate creativity and a keen eye for detail in their design work.

Educational Background:
A background in graphic design, visual communications, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have relevant coursework or training that demonstrates their design capabilities and understanding of visual communication principles.

Experience:
While prior experience in a similar role is beneficial, it is not strictly required. However, candidates should have a portfolio that showcases their design work and ability to create engaging visual content. Experience working in a remote team environment is a plus, as the role involves collaboration with various stakeholders across different locations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all communication and materials will be in English. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Eastern and Southern Africa region would be considered an asset, enhancing the volunteer's ability to engage with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote volunteer position, allowing for flexible working hours. The role may involve part-time commitment, depending on the volunteer's availability and the needs of the team. The position is suitable for individuals looking to gain experience in visual design within an international humanitarian context, and it offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that support the inclusion of forcibly displaced populations in national systems.