The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

PlayMatters is implemented by a consortium comprising the International Rescue Committee, War Child Alliance, and Plan International. PlayMatters aims to sustainably strengthen the education system through provision of tools and resources for successful teacher professional development in the area of Learning through Play as a teaching method, with a goal of improving the holistic learning and well-being outcomes for children aged 3 to 12+ in the refugee and host communities across Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan.

PlayMatters 3.0 (PM 3.0) is a 4-year education initiative (2026-2030) with a goal of improving the well-being and holistic learning outcomes of pre-primary and primary school aged children (ages 3-12+), including those who are affected by conflict and crisis, in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda by strengthening education systems to deliver quality education services using active teaching and learning through play.

More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org

Scope of Work

PlayMatters seeks a Graphic Design and Layout Consultant to update seven existing training and support manuals. The consultant will be responsible for updating the design, layout and formatting of seven (7) packages of educators and community leaders training   resources for the Uganda PlayMatters 3.0 project

The exercise is focused on incorporating   revisions in content, ensuring visual consistency, and preparing final print-ready and digital files to align with PlayMatters 3.0 branding guidelines and proposed adjustments of the 2nd edition of the resources.

The assignment will include but will not be limited to the following:

1. Revisions to Content and document layout

• Incorporate all revisions made on the  content into the existing manuals encompassing , additions and deletions, using the provided technical inputs, tracked changes and integration guidance.
• Update the layout and pagination to accommodate revisions to the content while maintaining the established visual identity and overall design of the manuals as per PlayMatters communications guidelines and policies.
• Reformat or recreate tables, diagrams, illustrations, text boxes and other graphical elements affected by the revisions, ensuring consistency with the existing design.
• Maintain consistent typography, headings, subheadings, spacing, page numbering, headers, footers and other document formatting elements.
• Ensure that updated content, tables and illustrations are properly aligned, legible and presented in a clear, accessible and user-friendly format.
• Ensure all content is clear, well-aligned, and print-ready

2. Branding and visual consistency

• Update the covers and internal design elements of all seven manual covers to reflect the current PlayMatters branding guidelines
• Ensure that each cover clearly indicates "Second Edition, October 2026."
• Apply the approved PlayMatters branding guidelines consistently across all documents, including typography, colors, logos and graphical elements.
• Work with already existing design with modest adjustments as approved across the seven manuals while respecting the structure and intended use of each document.

3. Quality assurance reviews and finalization

• Conduct a thorough visual and formatting review of all revised manuals to identify and correct layout inconsistencies, text overflow, broken tables, misaligned graphics, pagination errors and other design issues.
• Check that all approved technical revisions have been incorporated accurately and completely against the supplied integration guidance.
• Submit draft versions for review by the PlayMatters technical and communications teams.
• Incorporate consolidated feedback and make necessary design and formatting adjustments before finalization.
• Ensure consistency across all seven manuals and verify that the final files are complete and ready for their intended use.
• Prepare and submit final print-ready and digital versions of all manuals

4. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Seven (7) fully updated and professionally formatted training resource manuals, incorporating all approved revisions.
• Editable Microsoft Word versions of each manual.
• High-resolution, print-ready PDF files, with appropriate bleed and crop marks where applicable.
• Optimized, accessible PDF versions suitable for digital dissemination and web publication.
• Complete editable source/design files in Adobe InDesign (.INDD), including linked assets and packaged fonts where licensing permits, or an agreed equivalent professional design platform.
• Draft versions for review.
• Final print-ready PDF files.
• Final editable source files (e.g., Adobe InDesign package and linked assets).

All final materials will be subject to review and approval by the designated PlayMatters technical and communications focal persons.

Duration

This assignment is to be completed within the working days from contract signing.

Education Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of Graphic Design experience
• Mastery in Adobe Creative Cloud Applications: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro and/or similar applications that will be required to undertake the assignment.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in graphic design, publication layout, and desktop publishing. Experience producing print-ready publications, training manuals, or educational materials.
• Proficiency in incorporating visual elements like photos, illustrations, and graphics into the visual design of print materials for them to be visually engaging and user friendly
• Strong attention to detail and ability to apply branding guidelines consistently
• Experience working with development, education, or NGO publications is an advantage.
• Language Skills: Strong writing skills (in English)

Confidentiality

The Consultant will be required to maintain confidentiality of all organizational information accessed during the consultancy.

NB: This advert will close on 30-Oct-26. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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