Artistic Photographer

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women Albania is currently implementing its Strategic Note (SN) for 2022-2026, which aims to ensure that all women and girls enjoy and exercise their human rights in a gender-equal society and contribute meaningfully to Albania's sustainable socio-economic development and EU integration. The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a respectful environment for all employees and stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Artistic Photographer will work under the supervision of the Communications Specialist and in close coordination with the UN Women Communications team. This position is focused on providing professional photography services in Ukraine to support UN Women’s communications priorities. The selected candidate will be responsible for capturing high-quality, ethical, and compelling photographs of women and girls in humanitarian and crisis-affected settings. The role involves documenting program activities, field missions, advocacy initiatives, and community-based interventions, aligning with UN Women’s mandate and program priorities. The photographer is expected to work independently while maintaining regular communication with UN Women throughout the assignment period. All photographs produced will be the property of UN Women, and the organization will have the option to purchase and obtain rights to use pre-existing photographs from the photographer’s portfolio, subject to mutual agreement on usage rights and compliance with UN Women’s ethical standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake photography assignments in the field, ensuring a respectful and rights-based visual representation of women and girls. Responsibilities include adhering to UN Women’s ethical guidelines, safeguarding principles, and consent protocols. The photographer will coordinate closely with UN Women communications focal points to understand assignment objectives, key messages, and deliverables. They are expected to deliver edited, publication-ready photographs within agreed timelines and technical specifications, suitable for use across various platforms. The final image files must be in the agreed formats, properly captioned and tagged, and submitted within the agreed timeframe. The consultant will also ensure that all visual materials align with UN Women’s values and do no harm principles, particularly in sensitive environments. Deliverables include a curated set of high-resolution photographs per assignment, images suitable for UN Women’s digital platforms, and accompanying captions and metadata for each image.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in photography, visual arts, media studies, communications, journalism, or a related field. Formal training or certification in photography, visual communication, or media production is an asset. A Master’s degree in arts, media, communications, or a related discipline would also be beneficial. The candidate must demonstrate strong visual storytelling skills and a nuanced understanding of local contexts, social norms, and gender dynamics. They should also have a commitment to ethical standards in photographic practices and interactions with subjects.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in photography, visual arts, media studies, communications, journalism, or a related field. Additional formal training or certification in photography or media production is advantageous. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
At least 7 years of proven experience in documentary or photojournalistic projects is required, with a focus on human rights, gender equality, or social issues. Experience with international organizations or media outlets is preferred. Candidates must provide an online link to their portfolio showcasing professional experience and photographs relevant to this position.

Languages:
Fluency in Albanian and English is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based consultancy position, meaning that continuous presence at UN Women premises is not required. All coordination will be conducted remotely, with official travel in the country potentially required based on assignments and in consultation with UN Women. The position emphasizes the importance of adhering to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the organization. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.