Graphic Arts Assistant
Vienna
- Organization: UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- Location: Vienna
- Grade: Administrative support - GS-6, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Design (digital, product, graphics or visual design)
- Closing Date: 2025-07-29
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Research and Knowledge Production Section (RKPS), Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Research and Knowledge Production Section. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org
Responsibilities
The Graphic Arts Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Participate in initial meetings with clients to discuss potential design projects, e.g. substantive content, communication objectives, media (including electronically published products) and design options, technical specifications, costs, schedules/deadlines, etc. • Undertake and coordinate the design, layout and production of research publications in consultation with the responsible staff/sections, including the design, improvement and layout of cover, text, illustrations, figures and maps to ensure the highest quality reproduction; provide colour schemes and guidelines; create word templates with defined styles for “light layout” publications; prepare approved designs in electronic format for final review, printing and publishing on the web; review colour and print proofs as required. Determine the specifications for size, paper, typesetting, layout, illustrations, colours, etc., in consultation with the responsible staff/offices. Plan and ensure recruitment of external contractors upon need. • Independently undertake and coordinate design assignments, including high priority requests, for a variety of UN-sponsored activities (e.g. conferences, observances, events and campaigns, etc.); conceptualize, develop and execute design proposals for review by clients, which may include photographic, illustrative or more abstract graphic solutions. • Provide specialized guidelines and support to the Branch in the production, update and delivery of information communications products and services, e.g. Word- and Excel templates, technical assistance, etc; create, lay-out and convert images, graphics, visualizations, illustrations and charts for different purposes, such as presentations, press kits, brochures, etc. • Using relevant computer software, create designs in appropriate format for promotional and other materials, e.g. brochures, presentational materials, posters, announcements, video and audio recording covers, catalogues, etc.; ensure that photos, graphics, etc. are appropriate and conform to UN standards for print materials. Undertake and coordinate the layout and preparation of information materials, including production of electronically published products; in consultation with authors and other relevant staff, establish illustrative requirements to meet communications objectives; prepare submission schedules for various communications products (e.g. publications, periodicals, books, posters, newsletters, pamphlets and other material). • Serve as the focal point for the external and internal website; undertake and coordinate the design, development, update and maintenance of the Branch’s web pages and Internet applications; identify and prepare new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; retrieving and downloading pertinent documentation and other information in requisite programming languages for Web format; preparing new pages, assisting with visualizations and incorporating graphics as needed, using appropriate authoring tools and necessary programming languages; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc.; collect statistics on readership. • Source information/images and assist with visualizations for articles, features and publications; create graphics, and finalize this material prior to preparation of final proofs. • Undertake and coordinate the development and maintenance of a storage and retrieval system for all elements of the print and electronic outputs created by the Branch. • Provide guidance and support throughout the project production process; coordinate editing, desktop publishing, translation and printing of publications in consultation with the relevant Programme Managers; coordinate and follow-up with clients and other relevant parties (e.g. copy and proofreaders, production staff, library and cartography staff, etc.), evaluate quality and ensure that projects are on schedule and delivered on time to agreed specifications. • Guide, oversee and coordinate the work of other general service staff in the team and external contractors upon need; plan and manage publication, external resources and staff schedules to minimize overtime and ensure timely delivery. • Keep abreast of available technology and new trends and developments in the graphic arts industry; handle administrative coordination in support of special trainings. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform other related work as required.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Has knowledge of standard industry production and printing processes, including desktop publishing, design and layout. Has knowledge of printing practices and operations. Has knowledge of photography, page layout and photograph sizing. Has good graphic art skills and demonstrated ability to independently develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for varied print media projects (e.g. posters, brochures, press kits, book covers, book designs, etc.). Is able to handle multiple design projects simultaneously. Has ability to perform analysis, modelling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, web development or related area, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Practical experience in MS applications, Adobe Illustrator, ArcGIS, InDesign or comparable graphic software is required. Experience in desktop publishing, graphic design and layout in multiple United Nations languages is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is funded from extra budgetary resources. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to the availability of funding. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions 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 any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.