Posted by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is seeking an experienced Graphic Designer – Sint Maarten to support a major programme focused on strengthening the country’s correctional and rehabilitation system. The international consultancy is home-based and involves transforming complex operational and technical content into professional, accessible and visually consistent materials for both print and digital use.
This opportunity is particularly suited to senior graphic designers, visual communication specialists and editorial designers with substantial experience producing institutional publications, technical reports, manuals and information-design materials. The selected consultant will work with UNODC teams and national counterparts to develop a large package of visual flashcards and professionally formatted reports supporting the Detention Sector Reform Programme in Sint Maarten.
UNODC Graphic Designer Consultancy at a Glance
- Position: International Consultant (Graphic Designer – Sint Maarten)
- Organization: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- Job Opening ID: 283026
- Duty station: Vienna
- Work arrangement: Home-based
- Contract type: Consultant
- Expected period: October 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
- Working days: 78 days
- Application deadline: August 28, 2026
- Experience required: At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience
- Minimum education: Advanced university degree in graphic design, visual communication, information design, editorial design, digital media, fine arts or a related discipline, or an accepted equivalent combination of education and experience
About the Assignment
The consultancy forms part of UNODC’s support for the Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP) in Sint Maarten.
The programme aims to modernize the country’s detention system, strengthen prison management and governance, improve rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, and support compliance with international standards.
Within this wider initiative, the consultant will provide graphic design, information design and editorial layout services for operational and knowledge products.
The role goes well beyond creating individual graphics. The successful consultant will be responsible for developing a coherent visual system and transforming substantial technical information into materials that are clear, structured and suitable for practical use.
Major Responsibilities
The consultant will work across several major areas.
1. Develop a Visual Design System
The consultant will establish a reusable visual framework for the project’s communication materials, including:
- A visual style guide
- Design systems for flashcards and reports
- Page and card grids
- Typography hierarchy
- Colour palettes
- Icons and symbols
- Rules for consistent visual application
- Editable master templates
The consultant will also create prototype flashcards and report pages before moving into full-scale production.
2. Design Approximately 400 SOP Flashcards
One of the most substantial components of the consultancy is the development of visual flashcards based on approved Standard Operating Procedures.
The assignment calls for:
- 20 complete flashcard sets
- Approximately 20 flashcards per SOP
- Around 400 flashcards in total
The materials will cover operational areas such as:
- Use of force
- Dynamic security
- Prisoner transportation
- Disciplinary procedures
- Emergency response
- Health screening
- Prisoner classification
- Rehabilitation programmes
- Sentence planning
- Prison records management
The consultant will translate complex operational content into concise, visually sequenced cards using appropriate icons, diagrams and illustrations.
The final flashcards will need to work for both print and digital use, with editable source files, print-ready PDFs and high-resolution individual image files required.
Formatting and Design of UNODC Reports
The consultant will also professionally format up to nine UNODC reports and operational documents, with an estimated combined length of approximately 300 pages.
The documents may include:
- Prison Operations Manual – approximately 60 pages
- Handbook for Prison Visitors and Service Providers – approximately 10 pages
- Function Book – approximately 40 pages
- Prisoner Census and Roadmap – approximately 30 pages
- Prison Staff Training Curriculum – approximately 50 pages
- Staff Code of Conduct – approximately 20 pages
- Prison House Rules – approximately 50 pages
- Additional report – approximately 20 pages
- Additional report – approximately 20 pages
The final selection of documents may be adjusted by UNODC according to operational priorities while maintaining a similar overall scope and page count.
Design work will include:
- Professional covers
- Title and imprint pages
- Automated heading styles
- Tables of contents
- Chapter openers
- Headers and footers
- Page numbering
- Body text formatting
- Lists and tables
- Charts
- Process diagrams
- Annexes
- Captions
- Cross-references
- Print-ready production
The consultant will provide editable source files in native formats such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator or comparable software, alongside print-ready PDF versions.
Qualifications and Experience
This is a senior-level consultancy requiring significant professional experience.
Candidates should have:
- An advanced university degree in graphic design, visual communication, information design, editorial design, digital media, fine arts or a related field
- Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted
- At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience
- Experience designing policy documents, manuals, technical publications, reports and institutional publications
- Experience producing visually consistent multi-document publication packages
- A strong portfolio demonstrating editorial design and publication layout
- Experience presenting complex technical information clearly through design
- Knowledge of editorial production and print and digital publishing
- Strong understanding of typography and accessibility
- Experience preparing production-ready files
- Excellent organizational and project management abilities
- Strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines
Experience related to criminal justice, prison systems, public administration, security, governance or other technical policy fields would be an advantage.
Previous experience with the United Nations, international organizations, government institutions or comparable public-sector clients is also desirable.
A Strong Portfolio Will Be Important
For a consultancy of this nature, technical qualifications are only part of the picture. The vacancy specifically calls for a strong portfolio demonstrating the ability to produce high-quality editorial design, publication layouts and clear presentations of complex technical information.
Professionals with experience turning lengthy reports, policies, manuals and operational procedures into structured, accessible visual materials may find this assignment particularly relevant.
Language Requirements
Fluency in written and spoken English is required, including excellent drafting and communication skills.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage.
Working Arrangement and Duration
The consultancy is home-based, although the listed duty station is Vienna.
The expected assignment period is:
October 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027
The consultancy is expected to involve 78 working days during this period.
Confidentiality Requirements
Because the assignment involves prison operations and other sensitive information, the consultant will be required to maintain strict confidentiality during and after the consultancy.
UNODC will provide a United Nations email account to facilitate secure communication and document exchange throughout the assignment.
Why This Consultancy Stands Out
This opportunity combines senior-level graphic design with international development and public-sector work.
Rather than focusing solely on promotional graphics, the consultant will help make complex correctional policies, procedures and operational information easier to understand and use.
The work will contribute to a broader reform programme addressing prison management, rehabilitation, reintegration and institutional development in Sint Maarten.
For an experienced visual communication or editorial design professional, the assignment offers the opportunity to contribute design expertise to a significant international programme while working remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the position?
It is an International Consultant – Graphic Designer consultancy with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, supporting work related to Sint Maarten’s Detention Sector Reform Programme.
Is the consultancy remote?
Yes. The work location is listed as home-based.
Where is the duty station?
The listed duty station is Vienna, under UNODC.
How long is the consultancy?
The expected period is October 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027, with 78 working days.
How much professional experience is required?
At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in graphic design, visual communication, information design or editorial design is required.
What type of design work is involved?
The consultant will work on visual systems, flashcards, editorial layouts, technical reports, manuals, diagrams, illustrations and publication-ready materials.
How many flashcards will be produced?
The assignment anticipates approximately 400 flashcards across 20 SOP sets.
How many reports will be formatted?
Up to nine reports and operational documents, with a combined estimated length of approximately 300 pages.
Is United Nations experience mandatory?
No. Previous experience with the United Nations, international organizations, government institutions or comparable public-sector clients is listed as desirable rather than mandatory.
Is French required?
The vacancy states that English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Does the United Nations charge a recruitment fee?
No. UNODC states that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not request applicants’ bank-account information.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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