Webpage Consultant, Science Panel for the Congo Basin

ABOUT SDSN

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been operating since 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. The SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. We aim to accelerate joint learning and promote integrated approaches that address the interconnected economic social and environmental challenges confronting the world.

The SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies multilateral financing institutions the private sector and civil society. It is directed by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs and operates through offices in New York Paris and Kuala Lumpur.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE PANEL FOR THE CONGO BASIN

The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) is the first-of-its kind independent scientific panel dedicated to synthesizing existing knowledge of the status of and threats to the Congo Basin and its ecosystems. As the worlds second largest tropical forest the Congo Basin is providing key services at local regional and global scales that are critical for limiting the impacts of climate change - and yet remains largely under-researched and chronically underinvested.

The SPCB was was launched on December 3rd 2023 at COP28 in Dubai to mobilize scientists in the region to jointly address these challenges inspired by the call of environment ministers and scientists across the region for renewed efforts increased scientific investment and involvement of science in policy making for the sustainable development of Congo Basin countries.

Led by and composed primarily of leading scientists from the region the SPCB released the Executive Summary of the Assessment Report 2025 at COP30. The first comprehensive assessment of the geological ecological and socio-economic processes that have shaped the Congo Basin we see today one of the most significant and biodiverse forest ecosystems on the planet. If preserved and exploited sustainably the Basin represents a critical Nature-Based Solution for sustainable development conservation and climate resilience in Africa.

In order to increase the accessibility of the Assessment Report the SPCB will have a dedicated website where the reports chapters maps and materials will be easily navigable.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Web Designer/Site Builder will lead the creation and implementation of an interactive website for SPCB. This role involves designing an accessible user-friendly online webpage that showcases information about the Panel the Congo Basin its publications events and multimedia content enabling diverse audiences to engage effectively with the SBCPs current and future work. The consultant will collaborate closely with the SCPB Secretariat to ensure the landing page aligns with SPCBs branding and strategic goals.

The ideal candidate combines strong web design expertise with proven experience building content-driven public-facing websites using Squarespace or comparable hosted CMS platforms (such as Webflow or Framer) and the ability to collaborate closely with internal stakeholders from design through initial delivery.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop an interactive responsive website for the SPCB ensuring that the graphic style and website language are informed by and aligned with best practices demonstrated by the Science Panel for the Amazon and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network websites.
• Create intuitive navigation features to provide seamless access to information about the Panel its members publications events contact information and multimedia content. Website content must be available in both English and French.
• Integrate multimedia elements such as maps and chapter video summaries as applicable.
• Ensure website accessibility and compatibility across devices and browsers.
• Collaborate regularly with the SPCB Secretariat to gather feedback and implement iterative improvements throughout the design and development process.
• Deliver the final website on schedule fully functional and ready for public launch.

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Design & Media (keep strong this is the core value)

• Color layout and typography for digital formats
• Brand-aligned design systems
• Interface design and prototyping (e.g. Figma)
• Experience creating or working with photography illustrations and basic video content
• Ability to design across multiple formats (website presentations social event collateral)

2. Web & Digital Standards (simplified and realistic)

Demonstrates good practice in building accessible usable and sustainable websites.

• Semantic structure and content organization
• Accessibility best practices (WCAG-aligned)
• UX/UI best practices
• Responsive design
• SEO fundamentals
• Performance and quality assurance testing

Desirable:

• Basic user-research or usability testing experience

3. Squarespace & Site-building skills (this should be the heart)

• Familiarity with third-party embeds and integrations (forms maps analytics automation tools)
• Proven experience building websites with Squarespace (or similar platforms)
• Strong understanding of CMS structuring (pages collections blogs navigation)
• Ability to translate requirements into clear site architecture
• Solid knowledge of HTML and CSS for customization
• Comfortable with responsive layouts and design systems
• Experience delivering public-facing content-driven websites
• Ability to use custom CSS and light JavaScript when needed

4. Domains setup & handover (lightweight not IT-ops)

• Comfortable supporting domain connection and DNS configuration
• Experience setting up analytics basic SEO and redirects
• Ability to document the website setup and structure for internal handover

5. Delivery & maintenance

• Deliver a fully functional documented and maintainable website
• Ensure proper handover including:
  • site structure
  • editor guidelines
  • asset organization

6. Workflow & collaboration

• Comfortable working with non-technical stakeholders
• Able to manage tasks timelines and feedback loops
• Able to communicate in a timely manner any updates regarding the creation of the website.
• Experience using project tracking tools (Notion Asana Trello Jira etc.)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Location: Remote

Travel: N/A

Contract Length: February 05 - May 05 2026

Reports to: Mario Caller SPCB Program Associate & Emma Torres SPCB Strategic Coordinator

SDSN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SDSN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to unlawful considerations of race color creed religion gender sex national origin ancestry citizenship status genetic information military or veteran status age and physical or mental disability or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal laws.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV on HR Partner.