Graphics design and animation Consultant

Mercy Corps has recently been awarded a 3-year program under USAID’s Yes Youth Can initiative, covering six regions in Kenya; Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Nairobi and Coast.

The core of this program is a The Tahidi Youth Fund (TYF), which will be a youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed financial facility to support local solutions for community economic development as it grows in value.

This program aims to appropriately empower Kenyan youth (18-35yrs) to strengthen their socio-economic and political stakes through youth-led and managed initiatives and institutions.

The TYF will in the first three years provide sustainable financial and skills development assistance to approximately 200,000 youth through a variety of youth-identified social and economic community development projects.

General Position Summary:

The Graphics design and animation Consultant will be responsible for overseeing the design and layout of YYCN branding and communication items: banners, business cards, power point presentation templates, publications, t-shirts, flags, communication materials(brochures, fact sheets), logos, website graphics under Yes Youth Can as stated above.

This consultancy will provide direct advice for all programmatic and technical efforts into realization of this objective.

The consultancy will work closely with Communications Manager, Leadership Program Manager and Technology Advisor. This consultancy is critical to ensuring briefs are delivered in a timely manner.

Essential Job Functions: Responsibilities

• Build capacity among subject matter experts in multimedia and Graphic design.
• Create animations, graphics, videos, and other multimedia elements.
• Record and Edit Video and Sound.
• Integrate graphics, sound, text, animation, still images and digital video into one package
• Maintain processes and high quality standards of work and ensure that all projects are finished on time
• Initiate innovative projects in Multimedia, Graphic design and website development.

Supervisory Roles: None

Reports Directly To: Communication Manager

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• Have a Degree/Diploma in Information Technology or Computer Science. Digital Art, Graphic Design, Website Design, or related field with an emphasis on digital aesthetic design
• At least two (2) years relevant work experience.
• Practical experience with software such as: Adobe After Effects, 3DStudio Max, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Director, Adobe Flash, Adobe Dream Weaver, Adobe Premiere, motion editing software and PSD layouts – General proficiency in the Adobe CS and Autodesk Suite
• Experience with the following scripting languages: Java Script, jQuery and PHP.
• Critical thinking, problem solving and good judgment skills.
• Excellent HTML and CSS skills
• Must have proven track record of work ethics and productivity and be passionate about details.
• Ability to utilize many applications of multimedia.
• Experience in organizing and writing and producing technical reports and presentations.
• Have a passion for graphics.
• Kiswahili, Kenyan Shang and English language fluency required.

Success Factors

The successful Graphics design and animations Consultant will have strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate an ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff.

S/he will be able to productively work as a member of an overall project team and as an individual.

S/he will have a commitment to staff and program to produce artworks in a timely and a creative manner.

The candidate will be required to present a comprehensive portfolio of their previous design and animation work.

The successful Graphics and animations Consultant will also be able to prioritize and multi-task for the timely completion of deliverables.

Living /Environmental Conditions: The position will be based in Nairobi, with 80% of a working week.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before March 19, 2012 4.00 p.m. a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent or supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject “Application for the position of “GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ANIMATION CONSULTANT”.

Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified.

Please do not attach any certificates.

Only qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted