Creative Writer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS Local

Target Start Date

2024-04-15

Job Posting End Date

March 7, 2024

Terms of Reference

Title: Creative Writer
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 15/04/2024 to 14/10/2024
Contract Type: Individual Consultancy (locally-recruited)

General Background of Project or Assignment

UNHCR has been registering the persons under its mandate since its inception in 1951. Registration (https://www.unhcr.org/what-we-do/protect-human-rights/protection/registration-and-identity-management) is a fundamental component of international protection and a crucial first step towards subsequent protection and solutions measures. In its 70+ years, the Agency has gained a wealth of policy and process experience for registration as well as developed, used, and implemented a multitude of registration tools. Additionally, UNHCR can, if authorized by governments, provide legally recognized identity documents to refugees and asylum-seekers. As such, UNHCR is the global registration authority for people forced to flee. The project is designed to bring out and document this long-standing history and experience.

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The project aims to produce external-facing communication products, specifically a high-quality printed publication (in the style of a coffee table book) and a long-form website. Both products will provide a journey through UNHCR’s registration history since the creation of UNHCR in 1950. The products should focus on the following aspects:

– Tell the story of the first documents issued by UNHCR
– Outline the evolution of registration in terms of scale, process and tools
– Focus on the transition from analogue to digital starting in the late 1990s
– Describe the practical implementation registration activities in the field (“what does it take?” / “what does it look like”?)
– Highlight UNHCR’s collaboration with governments and partners in the area of registration
– Showcase the diverse settings in which registration takes place, i.e. in small and large operations, in urban and camp settings, as well as in emergency and protracted situations
– Tell the story of impact of registration; preferably by using individual stories or profiles.

Activities

Within the 6-month contract, the consultant, under the supervision of the Communications team of the Global Data Service, will research the history of registration using various methods, including but not limited to literature reviews, access to the Archives & Records of UNHCR, and interviews with (former) colleagues.

Deliverables

At the end of the contract, the consultant is expected to finalize a (1) printed communication product (book) (2) a long-form website on UNHCR’s Registration History and (3) a series of exhibition panels that retrace UNHCR’s registration history. The website will be shared internally and externally and should consist in a scrollytelling, which is a way to dynamically tell multimedia stories that unfold as you scroll (ex: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e02f1a1878ad4bed9ccdb6eab429da75). The printed version will be handed out as a book during events and as gifts to external stakeholders and the panels will be used as a part of an exhibition at the UN City.

The 1st draft of the printed product needs to be presented to the GDS communications team for review and must be clearly structured and present an overview of the visual identity of the product. The consultant is also requested to present draft concepts of the visual panels to the communications team. The visual panels need to be sent in an electronic format to the communications team so they can be printed.

We expect the consultant to conceptualize and deliver a long-form/external-facing website which will showcase UNHCR’s Registration History. The website must feature a clear structure with a mix of texts, pictures and videos, where applicable.

The final products (printed, visual panels and long-form website) need to be highly engaging and informative communication products and should include high quality writing as well as multimedia (photos, audio, video), where available and feasible.

Desired impacts:
i. Contributing to showcasing UNHCR’s long-standing and diverse expertise in registration.
ii. Highlighting UNHCR’s unique role globally in the area of registration.

Work plan:
Week 1-8: Research (with weekly progress check-ins)
Week 8-16: Planning final product
Week 16-24: Drafting and finalization of product (progress check-ins twice a week)

Required level, qualifications and work experience

Education:
A Graduate degree with 2 years of relevant experience in archives management, social data science, or communications. An Undergraduate degree in combination with 3 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Graduate degree from a recognized Higher Education Institution.

Experience:
– Experience working in communications for a multilingual, international organization.
– Research skills (experience in scientific archives desirable).
– Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites.
– Ability to summarize a wealth of information concisely, coherently, and engagingly.
– Journalistic viewpoint highly desirable.
– Developing highly engaging printed and digital communication products.
– Ability to use graphic design tools (adobe photoshop, illustrator, and inDesign).
– Experience with the creation and administration of WordPress/Drupal websites is desirable.
– A team player to effectively coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
– Excellent analytical and conceptual skills and strong communication and presentation skills (both verbal and written).
– High level of English language skills.
– Good knowledge of the UN, UNHCR, refugees, human rights, and humanitarian issues is desirable

Location and Conditions

The successful candidate will be based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The consultant will be hired in the country where they are to carry out the required functions, regardless of the nationality of the person, and is requested to have authorization to work in Switzerland. The organization will not cover the cost of travel on initial engagement and after the end of contract.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Digital Communications and Media/Multimedia (Required)

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No