Graphic designer

World Food Programme
Full-timeRome, Italy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: World Food Programme (WFP)

Location: Rome, Italy (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time Consultant

Category: Creative Services / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-12

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • This role is critical for enhancing WFP's visual communication strategy within the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) division.

  • The Graphic Designer will be responsible for creating compelling and on-brand marketing and pitching materials to support fundraising initiatives.

  • A key focus will be on visual storytelling through the development of campaign creative, infographics, and audiovisual content.

  • The position requires strong proficiency in design software and the ability to translate complex data into accessible visual formats for diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the context of supporting a Private Sector Partnerships division and fundraising strategy positions this role within a broader Marketing Operations or Creative Operations framework, emphasizing the strategic application of design to business objectives. The "Remote" duty station for a "CST-I" (Consultant Service Contract) level indicates a fixed-term, project-based engagement, typical for specialized external support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of high-quality pitching and marketing collateral, ensuring strict adherence to WFP's branding guidelines and a compelling visual aesthetic.

  • Drive the creation of campaign creative for deployment across WFP's owned channels (website, intranet) and partner platforms, including corporate social media.

  • Edit and meticulously revise existing pitching, marketing, and internal support assets to maintain visual consistency and high quality, coordinating with PSP leadership and stakeholders.

  • Develop custom, on-brand creative assets such as icons, illustrations, infographics, templates, and layouts for partnership toolkits and ad-hoc deliverables.

  • Enhance PSP's visual storytelling capabilities by editing audiovisual communication material that effectively highlights the impact of WFP's work with private sector partners, in collaboration with relevant divisional teams.

  • Provide essential design expertise and creative solutions across the PSP division, supporting strategic goals and contributing to the visual identity of major partnership initiatives, including campaigns like World Food Day and emergency response communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, ownership-driven approach ("Lead on," "Own and drive," "Provide design expertise"). This suggests the need for a candidate who can not only execute but also contribute strategically to visual communication efforts within the PSP division, aligning design output with specific fundraising and partnership objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • University degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Fine Arts, Multimedia Design, or a closely related field.

  • Alternatively, a minimum of 5 years of equivalent professional work experience in lieu of a degree. Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years of progressive, relevant professional experience in graphic design and visual communication. Required Skills:

  • Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite: Exceptional proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is non-negotiable for creating and manipulating design assets.

  • Data Visualization Expertise: Strong ability to translate complex data, statistics, and information into clear, compelling, and easily understandable graphics, such as infographics, charts, and dashboards.

  • Presentation Design: Proven experience in creating visually appealing and effective slide decks using PowerPoint and online presentation tools like Canva.

  • Typography and Layout: Solid understanding of typography, composition, and layout principles to ensure aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.

  • Brand Adherence: Demonstrated ability to work within established corporate visual identity and brand guidelines while infusing creative flair.

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring pixel-perfect execution and high-quality output.

Preferred Skills:

  • Video Editing: Experience in editing videos, particularly for social media platforms, to enhance multimedia content creation.

  • Content Collaboration: Proven experience collaborating effectively with copywriters, creative teams, and technical professionals to produce a wide range of communication products (e.g., fact sheets, social media cards, pitch decks, web elements, illustrations, video overlays).

  • Digital Design: Familiarity with digital design principles for web and social media platforms.

  • International/Humanitarian Sector Experience: Previous exposure to or experience within the UN system, humanitarian aid organizations, or non-profit sectors, understanding their unique communication needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience and proficiency in core Adobe Suite applications, coupled with data visualization skills, indicates a need for a mid-to-senior level designer. The emphasis on translating complex information suggests a strong analytical component to the design work, common in operations-focused roles that require clear communication of impact and metrics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrated Design Process: Showcase a clear understanding of the design process from concept to final delivery, including research, sketching, iteration, and final execution.

  • Impact-Oriented Projects: Include examples of projects where design directly contributed to achieving specific goals, such as increased engagement, successful fundraising campaigns, or improved clarity of information.

  • Brand Consistency Examples: Provide case studies demonstrating the ability to maintain brand consistency across various platforms and materials for a single client or organization.

  • Data-Driven Design: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 strong examples of data visualization projects (infographics, charts, dashboards) that effectively communicate complex information.

  • Pitch Deck and Marketing Collateral: Include examples of professionally designed pitch decks, brochures, social media graphics, or other marketing materials.

Process Documentation:

  • Workflow Design: Evidence of designing and optimizing workflows for creative asset production, from brief to final delivery, highlighting efficiency gains.

  • Collaboration Protocols: Examples of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., content creators, program managers) to ensure design outputs meet strategic objectives.

  • Asset Management: Understanding of how to organize and manage digital assets for easy retrieval and consistent application across an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on marketing and fundraising materials, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just aesthetic appeal to demonstrate strategic thinking, process efficiency, and the ability to translate complex organizational goals and data into compelling visual narratives. The emphasis on data visualization and pitch decks is particularly important for this role's context within PSP.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the CST-I level, full-time consultant role, and location in Rome, Italy, a competitive salary range can be estimated. Based on typical UN consultant rates and the specialized skills required (Adobe Suite, data visualization), a gross monthly salary in the range of €3,500 - €5,000 is a reasonable estimate. This range accounts for the experience level (5+ years), the specialized nature of the role, and the cost of living in Rome.

Benefits:

  • Personal & Professional Development: Access to WFP's extensive learning and development programs.

  • Training Opportunities: Participation in various training sessions to enhance skills.

  • Accreditation Support: Potential opportunities for professional accreditation.

  • Coaching & Mentorship: Access to coaching and mentorship programs.

  • Internal Mobility: Opportunities for career growth and movement within WFP.

  • Exposure to Global Impact: Directly contribute to humanitarian efforts and see the tangible impact of your work.

  • Multicultural Environment: Work within a diverse and inclusive international organization.

Working Hours:

  • Standard full-time consultant hours, typically 40 hours per week.

  • The remote nature allows for flexibility in scheduling, provided deliverables are met and collaboration with teams in Rome (CET) is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for UN consultant rates (CST-I level) in Western Europe, considering the skills and experience required. Benefits are directly drawn from the provided text, highlighting WFP's commitment to employee growth. The working hours are standard for full-time, but the remote aspect implies a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, crucial for effective collaboration across time zones if applicable, and for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: International Humanitarian Aid / Food Security

Company Size: WFP is a massive global organization, consistently ranking among the largest NGOs and UN agencies worldwide, with operations impacting millions and employing tens of thousands globally. This scale means robust processes, diverse teams, and significant reach.

Founded: 1961. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience, and a deep understanding of global food security challenges.

Team Structure:

  • Reporting: The Graphic Designer reports to the Editorial Communications Officer within the Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Division.

  • Division Focus: PSP is responsible for engaging corporations, foundations, and individuals to secure high-impact partnerships and drive individual giving.

  • Collaboration: The role involves close collaboration with various internal teams within PSP, potentially including partnership managers, fundraising specialists, and communications officers, as well as external stakeholders and private sector partners.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Impact: WFP's operations are heavily reliant on data to measure impact, allocate resources, and communicate needs effectively. This designer will translate this data visually.

  • Partnership Strategy: The PSP division focuses on strategic engagement with the private sector, requiring tailored communication materials that resonate with corporate values and CSR objectives.

  • Emergency Response & Long-Term Development: WFP operates in both emergency relief and long-term development contexts, meaning the visual content may span a wide range of emotional tones and subject matter.

Company Website: https://www.wfp.org

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding WFP's mission and the specific function of the PSP division is crucial. The role is not just about creating pretty pictures; it's about visually supporting a vital humanitarian mission and driving private sector engagement, which requires a nuanced understanding of donor motivations and corporate social responsibility.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Mid-Senior Consultant level (CST-I). It signifies an experienced professional contributing specialized skills to a specific project duration (11 months). While not a permanent staff position, it offers significant exposure to high-level humanitarian operations and private sector engagement strategies.

Reporting Structure: The direct reporting line to the Editorial Communications Officer provides clear guidance and oversight, while the need to support the broader PSP division indicates a collaborative, matrixed working environment.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts WFP's ability to secure funding and partnerships by making its mission and impact more accessible and compelling. Effective visual communication is crucial for donor engagement, brand perception, and internal alignment, all of which are critical operational outcomes for a fundraising division.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in visual storytelling for humanitarian causes and corporate partnerships.

  • Portfolio Expansion: Build a robust portfolio with high-profile projects for a globally recognized organization, showcasing successful campaign creative and data visualization.

  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain insights into fundraising strategies, partnership management, and international communications within a leading humanitarian agency.

  • Networking: Build connections with professionals in the humanitarian sector and private sector partnerships.

  • Potential for Future Engagements: Successful consultants may be considered for future projects or roles within WFP or the wider UN system.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a consultant role, the experience gained is highly valuable for career progression within the non-profit, humanitarian, or corporate communications sectors. The focus on impact and strategy differentiates it from a purely execution-based design role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is designated as "Remote." While WFP's headquarters are in Rome, this specific consultant role is performed entirely off-site.

Office Location(s): The duty station is Rome, Italy, but the work is performed remotely.

Workspace Context:

  • Remote Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be digital, utilizing communication tools for meetings, feedback, and file sharing.

  • Digital Tool Reliance: Success hinges on effective use of design software, project management tools, and communication platforms.

  • Cross-Cultural Interaction: The role involves collaborating with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal communication skills.

  • Mission-Driven Environment: Working for WFP means being part of an organization deeply committed to its humanitarian mission, fostering a sense of purpose and dedication.

Work Schedule:

  • The role is full-time, requiring approximately 40 hours per week.

  • As a remote consultant, there's an expectation of flexibility to accommodate collaboration with teams based in Rome (CET timezone) and potentially other global WFP offices, ensuring timely responses and participation in key meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature means candidates need to be self-motivated, disciplined, and possess excellent remote communication skills. Understanding the time zone of the primary team (Rome/CET) is important for scheduling collaborative activities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Application Submission: Candidates must apply online via the WFP Workday system. CV and Cover Letter are required initially.

  • Screening: Applications will be screened against the qualifications and experience requirements.

  • Portfolio Review: Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work.

This is a critical step.

  • Interviews: Expect one or more interviews, likely involving:

    • Technical Assessment: Discussion of design skills, software proficiency, and approach to specific design challenges.
    • Case Study/Design Challenge: A practical exercise to assess problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to meet project requirements under time constraints. This might involve designing a sample graphic or updating existing material.
    • Behavioral/Situational Questions: Assessing soft skills, cultural fit, ability to work remotely, and experience in multicultural environments.
  • Reference Checks: For final candidates, rigorous reference checks will be conducted.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize those demonstrating data visualization, pitch decks, campaign creative, and brand adherence.

  • Showcase Process: For at least 2-3 projects, briefly outline your design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that highlight the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "increased engagement by X%," "supported a campaign that raised Y amount").

  • Tailor to WFP: Include a project that shows your understanding of humanitarian communication or non-profit branding if possible.

  • Clarity and Navigation: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and clearly presents each project. Provide context for each piece.

  • File Format: Be prepared to submit as a PDF or provide a link to an online portfolio.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand WFP's Mission: Research WFP's current campaigns, strategic priorities, and recent work, particularly within PSP.

  • Practice Data Visualization: Be ready to create a simple infographic or data visualization on a given topic related to hunger or WFP's impact.

  • Pitch Deck Design: Familiarize yourself with best practices for designing impactful pitch decks. Be prepared to critique or improve a sample deck.

  • Brand Guidelines: Review WFP's brand guidelines (if publicly available) to understand their visual identity.

  • Remote Collaboration Tools: Ensure you are comfortable using common collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Slack) and digital whiteboarding tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process heavily relies on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare their portfolio well in advance, focusing on quality over quantity and demonstrating relevance to WFP's mission and the PSP division's objectives. A practical design challenge is highly probable for this type of role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite:

    • Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, icons, illustrations, and complex layouts.
    • Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
    • InDesign: Key for layout and design of pitch decks, brochures, and multi-page documents.
  • Presentation Software:

    • Microsoft PowerPoint: For creating and editing slide decks, a core deliverable.
    • Canva: For rapid creation of social media graphics and presentations, especially for quick turnarounds or partner-led content.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not directly responsible for data analysis, the designer must be able to interpret and visualize data from reports, dashboards, or provided datasets. Familiarity with how data is presented in tools like Tableau or Power BI could be beneficial for understanding visualization requirements. CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly applicable to the core design function, but awareness of how marketing materials are deployed via CRM or marketing automation platforms might provide context for asset requirements (e.g., email banner sizes, social media aspect ratios). Other Potential Tools:

  • Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro (preferred, but less critical than core design suite).

  • Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Wrike is helpful for remote collaboration and task tracking.

  • Cloud Storage/File Sharing: Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar for asset sharing and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite and presentation tools is central. Proficiency here is a hard requirement. Experience with video editing is a significant plus, reflecting the growing importance of multimedia content in WFP's communications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Humanity: A deep-seated commitment to alleviating suffering and promoting human dignity, which should be reflected in the empathetic and impactful nature of the designs.

  • Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all communications and design work, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

  • Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, respecting different perspectives, and contributing to a positive, inclusive work environment.

  • Commitment: Dedication to WFP's mission and delivering high-quality work consistently, especially under demanding circumstances.

  • Inclusion: Ensuring that designs are accessible, representative, and sensitive to diverse audiences and cultural contexts.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with communications officers, partnership managers, and potentially program staff to ensure design outputs align with strategic messaging and objectives.

  • Feedback-Driven: An open approach to receiving and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine designs and ensure they meet requirements.

  • Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication, especially in a remote setting, to manage expectations, provide updates, and resolve issues swiftly.

  • Shared Purpose: Contributing to a collective effort towards WFP's global mission, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and achievement.

📝 Enhancement Note: WFP's core values are integral to its operations. Candidates should demonstrate how their work ethic and design approach align with these values, particularly Humanity, Integrity, and Collaboration, as these will guide interactions and creative output.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Translating Complex Data: Effectively visualizing complex humanitarian data and statistics to create immediate impact and understanding for diverse audiences.

  • Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all creative output adheres to WFP's established brand guidelines while still being innovative and engaging.

  • Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Navigating communication and collaboration effectively within a remote team environment, ensuring alignment and timely feedback.

  • Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Delivering creative solutions within the specific requirements of fundraising campaigns, partnerships, and WFP's mission-driven context.

  • Diverse Audiences: Designing materials that appeal to a broad range of stakeholders, from individual donors to corporate partners and internal staff.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Humanitarian Communications: Gaining deep insights into the unique communication strategies and challenges within the international humanitarian sector.

  • Partnership Design: Developing expertise in creating visual assets tailored for corporate partnerships and fundraising campaigns.

  • Data Visualization Best Practices: Enhancing skills in presenting complex data in compelling visual formats.

  • Global Organization Exposure: Understanding the operational intricacies of a large, international non-profit organization.

  • Portfolio Building: Adding significant, high-impact projects to your professional portfolio from a globally recognized institution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a designer in a large, mission-driven organization. The growth opportunities focus on specialization within humanitarian communications and corporate partnerships, which are valuable career assets.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for creating a compelling pitch deck for a major donor or corporate partner. What are the key visual elements you would prioritize?" (Focus on structure, storytelling, data visualization, and brand alignment).

  • "How do you approach translating complex humanitarian data (e.g., statistics on hunger, impact metrics) into an easily understandable infographic for a public audience?" (Highlight your data visualization methodology, audience consideration, and tool proficiency).

  • "Imagine you need to design a social media campaign asset for an emergency response. What are the key considerations for tone, visual style, and call to action?" (Assess ability to adapt to urgent, sensitive contexts and diverse platforms). Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about WFP's mission, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our work in fighting hunger?" (Demonstrate research into WFP's mission and values).

  • "How do you ensure inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in your design work, especially when representing diverse populations or global issues?" (Connect to WFP's value of Inclusion).

  • "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a team remotely to achieve a creative goal. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?" (Assess remote collaboration and problem-solving skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the challenges, your creative process, and the outcome. Don't just show the final image.

  • Highlight Relevance: Explicitly point out how specific projects demonstrate skills required for this role (e.g., "This infographic project showcases my data visualization skills, similar to what's needed for WFP's impact reporting").

  • Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any measurable results your designs achieved.

  • Be Prepared for Live Critique: They might ask you to sketch out an idea or critique an existing piece of WFP material.

  • Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your software workflows and any technical challenges you've overcome.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on aligning design skills with WFP's mission and the specific needs of the PSP division. Demonstrating an understanding of humanitarian communication, data visualization, and effective remote collaboration will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

  • Submit your application: Complete and submit your application through the WFP Workday recruiting system, ensuring your CV and Cover Letter are uploaded and accurate.

  • Curate your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio (PDF or online link) showcasing 5-7 of your most relevant and impactful design projects, emphasizing data visualization, pitch decks, and campaign creative.

  • Tailor your Resume & Cover Letter: Highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, data visualization, presentation design, and any relevant experience in the humanitarian or non-profit sector. Clearly state your interest in WFP's mission.

  • Practice your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and preparing for potential design challenges or case study questions, focusing on your process, problem-solving, and impact.

  • Research WFP: Thoroughly research WFP's mission, values, recent campaigns, and the Private Sector Partnerships division to articulate your understanding and alignment during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Requires a university degree or 5 years of experience in Graphic Design or a related field, with at least 5 years of professional experience. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong data visualization skills are essential.