Mission and objectives

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF’s vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity. UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowding finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031. UNCDF’s work is focused on six priority areas, including: • Sub-national and local infrastructure financing • Women-owned enterprise financing • Nature and climate financing • Energy and decarbonization finance • Sustainable food systems financing • Inclusive digital finance

Context

Established by the United Nations in 1966, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) helps unlock finance in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and fragile settings, where risks are high and capital is scarce. UNCDF receives voluntary contributions and grants from partners and deploys them as performance-based and reimbursable grants, concessional loans, and risk-absorbing guarantees, alongside investment structuring and advisory support. UNCDF uses these resources in a catalytic and revolving way to help countries prove investment viability, build pipelines, and crowd in larger flows from domestic finance, development finance institutions, private investors, and multilateral development banks. This UNV assignment is part of UNCDF project/flagship programming initiative etc. Provide brief description of the project including relevant stakeholders, outcomes etc. and/or include web link. Digital transformation depends on a population that is sufficiently skilled and well informed to make sound choices about digital products and services and to use them to their greatest benefit. In Ethiopia, the push towards digitalization as a pathway to inclusive economic development presents significant opportunities for historically excluded groups, particularly women, youth, and informal actors, to enter and participate meaningfully in the formal financial system. However, the development of digital skills and digital financial literacy (DFL) is often treated as a secondary component within financial inclusion initiatives, despite its critical importance for individuals and enterprises newly engaging with digital financial services. While there is a growing recognition of the need for evidence-based interventions to strengthen digital and digital financial capabilities, many existing programmes remain inadequately resourced, insufficiently tailored to user needs, and implemented in isolation from broader digital transformation and financial sector reforms. To address this gap, under the DFS4Resilience programme, UNCDF developed and conducted a standardized Digital and Financial Literacy Survey in Malawi. The survey assesses levels of digital access and usage, digital competencies, and digital financial services (DFS) outcomes. It provides a streamlined and comparable evidence base that can be tracked over time and across population segments, enabling stakeholders to measure progress towards programme and policy objectives, identify gaps and constraints, and highlight areas of strength and opportunity for targeted interventions. UNCDF is offering the opportunity to engage an Online Volunteer – Graphic Designer to support the implementation and dissemination of knowledge products under the DFS4Resilience programme. The volunteer will work remotely and in close coordination with designated UNCDF focal points to provide graphic design and layout support, particularly for the Digital and Financial Literacy Survey Report for Malawi and related survey report materials.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the online volunteer will provide graphic design and layout support for the Digital and Financial Literacy Survey Report for Malawi, ensuring full compliance with UNCDF branding and visual identity guidelines. The online volunteer will be responsible for the following tasks: • Design and layout the Digital and Financial Literacy Survey Report for Malawi, applying UNCDF brand guidelines, templates, and visual standards consistently across all sections. • Transform approved written content, data, tables, and figures into clear, professional, and visually coherent report layouts. • Develop and refine visual elements, including charts, tables, infographics, icons, and other graphical components, to enhance data presentation and readability. • Execute document layout, formatting, and design revisions based on feedback from UNCDF technical and communications teams. • Review draft and final layouts and propose design improvements to strengthen clarity, consistency, and overall visual quality. • Manage the design process from initial concept to final delivery of print-ready and web-optimized versions of the report. • Prepare final files in accordance with UNCDF technical specifications for printing and digital dissemination. • Ensure a high standard of quality assurance, including accurate formatting, alignment, and typographical consistency, with a strong emphasis on error prevention. • Organize and maintain design files and versions in line with UNCDF file management and archiving practices. • Maintain regular communication with UNCDF focal points to ensure alignment on design expectations, timelines, and deliverables. The volunteer is expected to deliver these services in a timely manner and as stated in this description of action, focusing exclusively on graphic design and layout support for the assignment.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks