International Consultant on Data Visualization and Storytelling

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. The UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECA RO) was established in Istanbul, Turkyie, in early 2014. It provides support and oversight to Country Offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Ukraine. In addition, the Regional Office directly supports programme and project presence in Kosovo (under UN Security Council Resolution 1244), the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Türkiye.

Since 2018, UN Women ECA RO is implementing a regional component of the Flagship Programme Initiative “Making Every Woman and Girl Count” (Women Count)[1], developed by UN Women Headquarters (HQ). The Women Count programme aims to affect a radical shift in the production, availability, accessibility and use of quality data and statistics on key aspects of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The programme intends to achieve results in three interlinked areas of work:

• Enabling environment: Building a supportive policy and institutional environment for the localization and effective monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• Data production: Increasing the quality, comparability and regularity of gender statistics to address national data gaps and meet reporting commitments under the SDGs; and
• Data accessibility: Ensuring that gender statistics are accessible to users in governments, among civil society, academia, and the private sector to strengthen adequate demand for their production.

To increase the accessibility and uptake of gender data and to contribute to the implementation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Note (SN) of the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), Women Count has planned a series of initiatives aimed at fostering data literacy skills of various audiences empowering them to explore, analyze, interpret and communicate gender data in innovative and impactful ways.

Particularly, jointly with School of Data Kyrgyzstan UN Women is planning a 3-day Data Art Residency on 17-19 September 20224 for creative talents from across Central Asia. The aim of the event is to empower participants to translate gender data into compelling contemporary artworks focused on key gender equality issues in the region. The 20 invited artists, selected from over 200 applications through an open call, underwent an intensive online training programme in July 2024 that introduced them to data art concepts, gender equality priorities, and available data sources in Central Asia. During the residency, participants will finalize the conceptualization of their art projects, refining their storylines, cleaning and validating their data, and preparing it for artistic expression. Following the residency, they will receive a small grant for up to one month to craft their artworks under the close mentorship of UN Women and School of Data. The final artworks will be displayed at an international art exhibition, which will be held either in one of the locations in Central Asia or in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Another initiative is the Gender Datathon in Albania, scheduled for 2-4 October 2024 that targets a diverse audience, including researchers, gender advocates, students, and media professionals. Over 50 participants, organized into eight teams, will come together to create media and advocacy products using gender data. They were selected from over 140 applications through an open call with 70 shortlisted who passed a tailored online capacity building programme to prepare and refine their project ideas for the upcoming datathon. As a result of the datathon, top three winning teams will be identified who will then receive targeted 2-month mentorship support to refine and prepare their gender data products for publication.

To support the participants in both initiatives, UN Women seeks to hire an International Consultant on Data Visualization and Storytelling. This consultant will provide guidance and support to help participants effectively communicate their findings and stories through data. The consultant will be reporting to Regional Gender Data Specialist and will be supported by Knowledge Management and Programme Consultant, who will be the main point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Consultant will support UN Women in providing expert guidance and support in data visualization and storytelling to participants of both the Data Art Residency and Gender Datathon, ensuring their projects effectively communicate gender data insights.

The scope of work for the assignment will include the following tasks:

1. Support and guide participants of Data Art Residency in Central Asia:

• Design and conduct a 2-hour workshop at the UN Women Data Art Residency for Central Asia, showcasing the narrative potential of data visualization and practical tips on turning data into engaging visualizations that tell stories, including an inspirational keynote and hands-on exercises for at least 20 participants.
• Participate in the pitching of artworks during Art Residency and provide oral feedback to the participants.
• Provide written feedback to enhance visualization and storylines of 15 gender data artworks created by the residency participants

2.Support and guide participants of Gender Datathon in Albania:

• Design and conduct a 1.5-hour online workshop at the UN Women Gender Datathon in Albania, showcasing the narrative potential of data visualization and practical tips on turning data into engaging visualizations that tell stories, including an inspirational keynote and hands-on exercises for at least 50 participants.

Deliverable

Expected completion time (due day)

Support and guide participants of Data Art Residency in Central Asia

By 17 September 2024

By 19 September 2024

By 1 December 2024

Support and guide participants of Gender Datathon in Albania

By 4 October 2024

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy, with possible travel to Central Asia subject to availability of the consultant.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong written/oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Competencies in coordination, planning and teamwork.
• A commitment to quality product and deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Advanced (Masters) degree preferably in graphic design, media, communication or other related subject.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in data visualization, data storytelling or a related field.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training programmes and providing mentorship to diverse groups.
• Experience in integrating data into visual art, with a portfolio of relevant work.
• Experience of work with gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in is an asset.
• Previous professional experience with development agencies and/or the United Nations is an asset.

How to Apply:

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)