Graphic Design and Visual Identity for Disaster Risk Reduction

Host entity: UNDP Switzerland

Areas of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Digital and social media

Application deadline: 17/11/2026

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges as they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Based in the middle of Europe, the UNDP Office in Geneva contributes to UNDP’s mission through serving as the UNDP Platform for Geneva and the Geneva-based organizations and as the primary point of contact with the governments of France and Switzerland.

Assignment context

UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery for Building Resilience Team (DRT) seeks support to curate and design a coherent visual identity for its knowledge products, learning tools and communication materials on disaster preparedness and early warning.

The DRT leads UNDP’s global practice on disaster risk reduction, recovery and resilience-building, providing policy advice and programmatic support to UNDP Regional Hubs and Country Offices across the programme cycle. Its work is aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026-2029, where crisis resilience is one of four strategic objectives and digital and AI transformation a key accelerator, and with UNDP’s Action Agenda: Moving Beyond Crisis, which places development from day one at the centre of UNDP’s work before, during and after crises. Through these frameworks, UNDP strengthens the capacity of governments, institutions and communities to manage and prepare for multi-dimensional risks and shocks. The DRT, under the Crisis Bureau, manages a portfolio of global and regional projects of approximately USD 60 million.

The UNDP Preparedness Toolkit is an interactive platform that helps countries anticipate and prepare for uncertainty, risk and crisis. It strengthens institutional, strategic and operational capabilities for preparedness and anticipation, and serves as a programmatic manual for Country Offices designing projects in support of national and local priorities. Built on the Toolkit, the UNDP Preparedness Learning Pathway facilitates joint learning and knowledge exchange among decision-makers and practitioners from national and local authorities, UN entities and other in-country stakeholders.

UNDP is looking for one online volunteer with strong graphic design skills and an interest in disaster risk reduction to curate and design the visual identity of the team’s knowledge products, including the Toolkit, the Pathway, a serious game on preparedness developed with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), reports and related learning and communication materials, so that they are coherent, accessible and easy to recognize. The selected volunteer will collaborate with the DRT, based in Geneva, see their work used by practitioners worldwide, and learn about UNDP’s work on preparedness, early warning and anticipation. They will also receive feedback on their work, a certificate of appreciation upon successful completion and credit of support where applicable.

The online volunteer will work with a focal point in the DRT Early Warning and Preparedness team. The assignment will start with an onboarding session to introduce the team, its products and UNDP branding guidelines, and to agree on a workplan and priorities. The volunteer will have regular check-ins (weekly), receive feedback on drafts throughout the assignment, and have access to existing materials, brand assets and templates.

Task description

Under the guidance of the DRT Early Warning and Preparedness team, the online volunteer will focus on two core workstreams. Tasks will be prioritized jointly with the team based on project needs and the volunteer’s availability.

1. Visual identity:
Develop the visual identity of a serious game on preparedness developed with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), including its overall look and feel, game materials and supporting facilitation and promotional materials.
Review the look and feel of the UNDP Preparedness Toolkit and the Preparedness Learning Pathway, and propose a coherent visual identity in line with UNDP branding guidelines.
Develop a simple visual style guide and reusable templates (e.g. PowerPoint, report and social media templates) for use by the team.

2. Publication design:
Design and lay out reports and publications, including cover design, page layout, tables, charts and infographics, for print and digital use.
Design selected communication materials, such as brochures, flyers and social media visuals, applying the new visual identity.

Expected deliverables:
Visual identity package for the serious game, including game, facilitation and promotional materials
Visual style guide and set of reusable templates for the Toolkit and the Pathway
One designed report or publication
A small set of communication materials (e.g. brochure, flyer, social media visuals)

Skills and experience

• Studies or experience in graphic design, visual communication or a related field
• Proven graphic design skills, demonstrated through a portfolio of relevant work (e.g. reports, brochures, infographics, presentations, web layouts); a link to the portfolio should be included in the application
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Canva or Figma
• Experience developing or applying brand guidelines and visual identities is an asset
• Experience designing games, interactive or learning materials is an asset
• Interest in disaster risk reduction, climate change or international development
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines in a remote setting
• Good communication and collaboration skills

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.