Graphic Designer and Editor

1. PROJECT BACKGROUND

1.1 Context

The COVID-19 pandemic found Albania amidst the financial burden from the earthquake of November 2019 with an estimated damage of EUR 1 bn (PDNA 2020). Real GDP growth went from 4.1% to 2.2% in 2019. With informality making up a considerable share of the economy (30% according to WB 2020), vulnerabilities are accentuated by a weak social protection system and uneven distribution of services. The pandemic widened existing gaps and inequalities, and highlighted pre-existing challenges to the social protection system, while access to social services became strained. Support was mainly sought in the categories of economic assistance for beneficiaries and families in need or affected by the earthquake, elderly, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, Roma and Egyptians. Additionally, a disproportionate impact on employed women, particularly decreases in working hours and loss of income, was observed (UN Women 2020). The situation for survivors of domestic violence in lockdown, living under the same roof with perpetrators, was precarious. Reporting of domestic violence to the National Help Line (CLWG) increased by four times during the lockdown. Also urban and rural disparities were highlighted regarding access to health and sexual reproduction services and access to medical supplies (UN Women 2020). Roma and Egyptian communities are among the communities particularly affected, given their pre-existing precarity to cover even basic needs. Working largely in the informal market, they were among the first ones affected by the lockdown. For many families previously not affected by poverty, the situation has deteriorated since. Relying on informal care, especially for childcare, people with disabilities, sick elderly, or elderly living alone, the pandemic increased the burden on those in need and their family members and underlined the existing gaps in services.

1.2 Project description

The overall goal of the proposed intervention is “Women and girls in marginalized communities at increased risk of VAWG due to factors exacerbated by COVID-19, have exercised their rights and improved their wellbeing in Albania by April 2024”. IAMANEH, jointly with the two partner Albanian organisations Women to Women (WtW) and the Counselling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG) will cover about 34% of the country’s population from 10 selected municipalities in northern and central Albania. The intervention will target 4900 primary beneficiaries (women and girls survivors/at risk of violence, Roma and Egyptian women, elderly women, women with disabilities, and women living in rural/remote areas) and 3000 secondary beneficiaries (government officials, members of the VAWG referral mechanisms, health professionals, and communities in selected municipalities).

These marginalised communities are recognised in the National Strategy for Social Protection (2023), while following the start of the pandemic, the Decision of Council of Ministers (DCM 236/2020), defined the same categories as vulnerable for the purpose of support during pandemic.The intervention focuses on increased awareness, accessible knowledge and enhancing positive behaviour, empowering the most vulnerable women and girls. The intervention will strengthen the response system to VAWG, reflecting the needs of communities, build community resilience, and contribute towards disaster preparedness. The intervention will contribute to integrated and better prepared multi-sectorial response system for VAWG, detecting and effectively responding to VAWG, including in times of specific need/ crisis. Combining multiple level interventions, we aim to a longer-term impact by strengthening the targeted beneficiaries and stakeholders and introducing detection, referral and response instruments (local level) as well as policy and legal proposals addressing preparedness, introducing changes related to sexual crimes and digital/online violence against women. Awareness raising and a reflective process of M&E carried out in parallel, will contribute to longer-term results of the proposed intervention.

1.3 Implementing partners

The project and its development are based on extensive long-lasting partnerships between IAMANEH Switzerland, and two local organizations based in Albania, the Counselling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG) and Woman to Woman (WtW); and the Swiss Tropical Public Health (Swiss TPH), based in Basel, Switzerland.

The project is funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund), which is the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated exclusively to addressing all forms of violence against women and girls at local and national levels.

2. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will be responsible to creatively design visualizations, do the layout work to enhancing the visual appeal of various deliverables produced, and edit the text of a technical notes, a manual, various policy briefs, etc., between March to May 2024 (tentative starting date 25.3.2024). This role involves creating visualisation, editing and formatting written materials to ensure they are visually engaging and effective in conveying key messages.

3. MAIN DELIVERABLES

• Create visualizations to effectively communicate information.
• Transform scientific content into a public discourse and visual experience.
• Prepare appropriate layout, design, and editing for project printings, such as manuals, guidelines, reports, multicolor infographics, etc.
• Edit text in English and, when necessary, in Albanian.

4. COMPETENCIES

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

The Contractor should be a resident of Albania and is expected to possess the following qualifications:

• Degree or training in Graphic Design and Editing;
• Demonstrated minimum of 5 years’ experience as a professional graphic designer and editor;
• Good knowledge of technical requirements and settings for graphic design and editing is expected;
• Experience in designing and editing publications for the NGO initiatives and UN agencies is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Albanian is an asset.

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.