JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to end poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, as well as protect the planet, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Together, these efforts aim to ensure that improvements in human wellbeing remain within ecological boundaries. We also help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities and institutional capabilities, as well as build resilience, in order to achieve the SDGs.

UNDP China has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. UNDP China’s actions and programmes for the period of 2021-2025 are defined in its Country Programme Document for China (CPD), prepared in cooperation with the Government of China and other partners. The CPD contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for China 2021-2025 and aligned to support the development priorities outlined in the Government of China’s 14th Five Year Plan.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Associate of the team, the designer is responsible for providing support to UNDP’s Operations Team in its mandate to innovation sustainable products. Specifically, he/she will be in charge of high-quality design for CO communications products/materials.

This is a short-term position (home-based), the remuneration will be made based on the daily rate and actual days worked.
Scope of Work:

Product Appearance Design
·Drawing product appearance sketches based on design concepts and market demands, and conducting 3D modeling and rendering.
·Selecting appropriate materials, colors, and surface treatment processes to ensure the aesthetic, practical and environmentally friendly aspects of the product appearance.
Product Structure Design
·Designing the internal structure of the product, including the layout of components, connection methods, assembly processes, etc.
·Drawing product structure diagrams and formulating detailed design specifications and technical requirements.
Technical Conversion and Manufacturing
·Working closely with the supplier and procurement team to convert designs into producible prototypes and products that adhere to environmental standards.
·Participating in product trial production and mass production introduction to ensure that products meet design requirements and production standards.
Cost Evaluation and Optimization
·Conducting cost evaluations of product designs and proposing cost-reduction design solutions.
·Optimizing product structure and material selection to improve product cost-effectiveness and market competitiveness, and ensure environmental friendliness and sustainability throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The product designer will be responsible for enhancing the development of outreach materials for the China Office and the requesting UNDP Office. Specifically, the designer will:

Design Documentation: 
Descriptions of the product’s function, appearance, user manual, technical specification sheet etc.
Design Sketches and Prototypes:
·Digital Sketches: Sketches created using design software (such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) for easy modification and sharing.
·Physical Prototypes: Product entity models made through 3D printing, handmade methods, etc., used to validate design concepts and user experience.
Design Renderings and Visualizations:
·2D Renderings: Flat display drawings of the product drawn using design software, showcasing the product’s appearance and color scheme.
·3D Renderings: Three-dimensional display images of the product generated using 3D modeling software (such as SolidWorks, 3ds Max, etc.), providing a more realistic visual experience of the product.
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design:
·UI Design Drafts: Include the design of product interface layouts, color schemes, icons, buttons, and other elements.
·UX Design Plan: Defines the way users interact with the product, including processes, navigation, and information architecture.
Production Drawings and Process Documents:
·Production Drawings: Detailed annotations of the product’s dimensions, tolerances, materials, and other information to guide processing and assembly during production.
·Process Documents: Describe the process steps, operating methods, quality control standards, and other requirements needed during the product production process.

Competencies

1. Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

2. Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management – Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:  •  Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers’ needs. • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. •  Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
Business Management – Communication: •  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.  •  Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Communications – Brand & quality management: Ability to position a UNDP brand and uphold it to a high level of quality
Communications –  Graphic design: Ability to communicate visually and create appealing UNDP graphic products
Required Skills and Experience

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Visual Design, or related fields would be desirable.

Qualifications:

Minimum 6 years relevant working experience with secondary education or 3 year with bachelor’s degree.
Strong theoretical and practical background in product design, including using design software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks,Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design etc is required.
Prior design experience for the branded item would be desirable.
Proven experience in corporation with International Organizations /Embassies/government/ large MNCs will be an asset.
Good sample provided of the prior design work.

Language:

Fluency in both Chinese and English

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate,
A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
 Individuals should also provide the copy of catalogue or samples of the design work, if available.
A technical test (designing test) will be followed, if the candidate passed the shortlist evaluation.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as design for the reports, documentations etc.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements