CONSULTANT: PHOTOGRAPHER / MASTER CLASS
Location : Kabul, AFGHANISTAN
Application Deadline : 02-Jul-09
Type of Contract : SSA
Languages Required : English
Expected Duration of Assignment : 3 months, with a possible 3-month extension

Background
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established on 28 March 2002 through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401, with an original mandate to support the process of rebuilding and national reconciliation in Afghanistan. UN Security Council Resolution 1806 (2008) requested UNAMA to support the preparations for the presidential elections, in particular through the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and to facilitate information management, communications and coordination in support of an Afghan-led development and stabilization process.
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will hold presidential and provincial council elections on 20 August 2009, organized by the Independent Election Commission, with the support of the international community. UNAMA and UNDP/ELECT project are coordinating and mobilizing, at the request of the Afghan Government, international technical and financial assistance.
These elections are vital for the establishment of democratic institutions. UNAMA and UNDP/ELECT continue to ensure that every step before and during the elections is widely covered by local and international media. It is against this background that UNAMA has decided to document the elections with the help of a world-class photographer.
The photographer is expected to spend a six month period over the elections during which he/she would be the UN’s lead photographer and mentor Afghan photographers as they cover the elections. The photographer will also train Afghan photojournalists on the skills of digital photography and producing photos that could be distributed to Afghan and international media and that might ultimately form the basis of a photo exhibition and a photo book.
It is expected that these photographers will help shed light on the processes and people at work behind a major election, and serve to portray Afghanistan more as a country and less as a conflict. It is also expected that the photographer will contribute to raise awareness of the UN system's work to help Afghanistan.
These ToRs are designed for an international photographer who will be based in UNAMA’s Strategic Communication and Spokespersons Unit. While acknowledgement of the photographer will be given whenever the pictures are used, the copyright of any material produced under the provisions of the SSA shall be vested exclusively with UNAMA.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Director of UNAMA’s Strategic Communication and Spokespersons Unit, the photographer will be required to undertake the following tasks:
Training Afghan photojournalists in digital photography;
Consulting with staff of the Strategic Communication and Spokespersons Unit and studying assignments to determine project goals, locations, and equipment needs;
Traveling to assigned location and taking pictures;
Ensuring that the assignment is undertaken according to schedule.
Competencies
Technological Awareness:
Fully proficient in the use of digital cameras and advanced computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, photography, graphic arts or a related field. A recognized and proven wealth of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
10 - 15 years of experience as a professional photographer.
Experience with the UN system, preferably in the context of elections, would be highly desirable.
Professionalism:
strong communication and analytical skills and ability to rapidly process and integrate diverse information from various sources; knowledge of Afghan context and understanding of, and experience in, dealing with the media;
Planning and Organizing:
develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priorities and adjusts, as required; allocates appropriate time and resources to complete work, allowing for contingencies; and, uses time efficiently.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English.