Head of the Pre-Media Unit

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women, and its core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism.

Job Overview:
The Head of the Pre-Media Unit will play a crucial role in the Graphic Design Unit, which is part of the Documents Management Section within the Division of Conferences, Languages and Documents at UNESCO. This position involves leading the strategic planning and development of graphic design work for both print and digital information products. The incumbent will provide expert advice to internal and external clients, ensuring that the design work aligns with UNESCO's branding and quality standards. The role requires close collaboration with other units to analyze workloads, strategize priorities, and manage client requests effectively. The Head of the Pre-Media Unit will also oversee the preparation of various materials for publication, ensuring compliance with UNESCO policies and graphic specifications, while keeping abreast of industry innovations to recommend improvements in design practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for leading the strategic planning and development of graphic design work, coordinating the activities of the Pre-Media Unit, and ensuring equitable distribution of work among team members. They will manage the performance of the team, oversee productivity, and provide effective feedback to promote continuous learning. The Head will also develop and maintain guidelines for design and desktop publishing, manage external contractors, and serve as a liaison between clients and external designers during the proofing process. Additional responsibilities include tracking production statistics, making strategic decisions on outsourcing work, and fostering a collaborative team environment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Graphic Design, Graphic Communication Design, Visual Communication, Art Direction, or a related field. A minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in graphic design or a related field is required, with at least two years of experience at the international level, preferably within a United Nations program or agency. Experience in preparing digital publications and outsourcing desktop publishing work is also essential. Strong organizational skills, a client-oriented approach, and the ability to manage multicultural teams are critical for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Graphic Design, Graphic Communication Design, Visual Communication, or Art Direction is required for this position. This educational background ensures that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel in graphic design and related tasks.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in graphic design or a related field. Candidates should ideally have two years of experience at the international level, particularly within a United Nations program or agency. Experience in preparing digital publications and outsourcing desktop publishing work is also highly valued, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to manage complex projects and collaborate with external partners effectively.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of English or French, with a good knowledge of the other language being desirable. Proficiency in another official language of UNESCO, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the position.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of two years, open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 104,896 US dollars, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization applies a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.