Photographer at UNICEF

Scope of Work 

In order to capture the impact of the Action and demonstrate the positive results from ECHO funding, UNICEF ESARO Communication section requires the services of an experienced professional photographer to deliver a series of high-quality photos that will be used to support visibility and awareness to constituencies in Europe, as well as social media and website activities. Given the COVID-19 situation, the delivery of the project would span the three years of the project to ideally permit obtaining content in all three programme countries and in year two and/or three establish photo exhibits in Brussels and/or other European cities.

The main messages to be captured in the series of professional photographs:

Malnutrition is complex; it is not only about the lack of food, but it is also about the quality of food and the diversity of food given to children. Tackling malnutrition also requires addressing underlying causes such as malaria and diarrhoeal diseases caused by a lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
Saving and improving the lives of children affected by severe acute malnutrition is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do.  It is a more cost-effective way to address malnutrition, and more importantly can help save lives and prevent suffering.  Malnutrition and hunger are painful and can lead to long term physical and cognitive damages that will require a long-term and even more costly response.

The photographer will work in collaboration with the UNICEF ESARO Communication section in Nairobi, and the Chiefs of Communication in the three countries to:

Year 1 – Obtain photos and visual material that could be used for some human-interest stories, social media packs, short video clips and infographics
Year 1 – Obtain visuals that could feed into 3 X 90” videos on the Action;
Year 2 – Obtain photos to develop 3 X photo essays on the Action (1 per country)
Year 2 – Develop content and more visibility in Europe through creative platforms and displays where funds would strengthen the distribution plan  
Year 3 – Provide photos to develop one or three photo essays on the Action in 1 or all three countries
Year 3 – Visuals and montage for a photo exhibition/display in Brussels and/or other European cities
The consultant will deliver a package of 3x15-30 photographs and 3x10 photographs (all approved from wider selection) with captions/quotes (Relevant permissions from those photographed is required – UNICEF to provide form).  Ideally the photographer would start travel possibly to South Sudan as a first stop in quarter 4 to ensure quality content that could be used for key calendar moments to provide added visibility to the ECHO funding and UNICEF’s work around malnutrition. 

Task and Responsibilities:

1. Take high-resolution photographs (minimum resolution of 2000 x 3000 pixels; 6 mega pixels with zero compression in JPEG and/or PNG formats), according to UNICEF photography guidelines.
2. Provide captions with locations and names for photos depicting 1-2 persons and small groups that don’t fall under the category of “mass.” Date when photo was captured, and other relevant information, including longer caption on the human interest story of the child/persons in the photos, should also be provided. All information, including complete name of photographer should be embedded in the metadata.
3. Select best photos related to each task (minimum of 15 and maximum of 30) in consultation with the Communication teams across the three countries and ESARO.
4. Photographs will be provided in raw format and optimized resolution via file transfer service or an external memory medium.
5. Photographs must be provided in high quality suitable for printing, processing or publishing.
6. Obtain consent forms with complete information and duly signed by children’s guardians and stakeholders.
7. Further discussion on the creative side – for example portrait photos or other style – will take place closer to the date taking possible access constraints into consideration.
8. The tone of the photo should be dignified, strong, with sense of hope though still capture the urgency in responding.

Deliverables:

Original (not manipulated or compressed) photos with minimum resolution of 2000 x 3000 pixels; 6 mega pixels with zero compression. JPEG and/or PNG formats.
A set of 15 to 30 edited/optimized photos with the original files retained.
Signed consent for photos depicting 1-2 persons and small groups that don’t fall under the category of “mass”. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. 

1. Proven ability in photography and ability to assimilate and communicate complex visual messages in an engaging and user-friendly manner
2. Advanced knowledge and skills of MS Office, including Adobe Suites and other editing tools is required
3. At least ten years’ experience in professional photography documentation, processing and editing photos
4. Extensive experience in covering development, emergencies, conflict-areas and humanitarian stories
5. Previous experience working with UN / INGO sector
6. Previous experience working with a major donor like ECHO/EU to provide visibility;
7. Knowledgeable on ethical journalism and photography
8. Familiarity with UNICEF’s work and children’s issues, and UNICEF’s reporting guidelines
9. Proven experience in working with children and families in complex emergencies
10. Reliable and able to work under tight deadlines, with little supervision
11. Willingness to travel to emergency zones around in the three countries (dependent on permits)
12. Previous experience in one or all of the three focus countries and possible use of file photos from prior missions with a thematic focus on malnutrition.
13. Proven experience of organizing and participating in a photo exhibition that might include high-level donors

Core Values 

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others 

Conditions 

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Intellectual Property Rights

The consultant expressly assigns to UNICEF any copyright arising from the outputs produced while executing the service contract. The consultant may not use, reproduce, disseminate, or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate any output produced under the service contract without prior consent from UNICEF. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.