SNSP is responsible for developing the corporate vision and the strategic perspectives for the Bank through formulating, revising and providing advice on operational policies and procedures. SNSP works across the institution, helping to ensure strategic and policy focus in decision-making, and improving alignment of resources with strategic priorities. SNSP is also mandated to contribute to the development of new ideas and concepts for corporate initiatives and to advise the Bank on innovation and institutional efficiency-related matters. The Annual Report (AR) is a flagship document that provides a clear and concise overview of the Bank's activities for the year under review. The report is a statutory document and its primary goal is to inform shareholders and key stakeholders about the Bank’s financial health, operations, and overall performance. Each year, between October of the current year and August of the following year, a team of staff work to produce the Bank’s Annual Report. Responsibility for the production and dissemination of the Report is under the Senior Director, Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP). The Annual Report is one of the Bank’s flagship communication tools and must embody the highest standards of clarity, accessibility, and visual design. SNSP therefore intends to engage an individual consultant that will work in close collaboration with the drafting team to design, finalize, and deliver the 2026 Annual Report, and the Highlights, along with a set of complementary design and communication products aligned with the Department’s priorities. The Consultant selected will provide specialized expertise in graphic design, ensuring that all outputs are innovative, professional, and fully aligned with the Bank’s corporate standards.
B. Scope of work
The work of the Consultant will involve designing and producing a professional, visually engaging, and well-structured Annual Report including the Annual Report Highlights that effectively communicate the Bank’s achievements, financial performance, and impact to diverse stakeholders.
The scope of work will include:
•Use creative storytelling and visuals to reach a wide audience, including policymakers, partners, donors, and the public. •Optimize usability across print, web, and digital platforms. •Deliver a defined set of complementary design and communication products aligned with the Department’s top priorities.
C. Deliverables Expected
Under the general supervision of the Senior Director of SNSP and reporting to the Annual Report Task Manager, the main responsibility of the Consultant will be to perform the following tasks:
Creative Concept & Design • Propose innovative design concepts, templates, and visual identities for the Annual Report, Highlights Summary, and related outputs. • Develop consistent, high-quality page layouts with professional typography, clear hierarchy, and engaging visual presentation. • Propose creative presentation formats for text, graphs, tables, and photographs, ensuring readability and accessibility across multiple languages. • Transform complex data into visually compelling infographics, charts, and data visualizations to present statistics and trends in a clear and impactful manner. • Ensure design coherence with the Bank’s branding and visual identity guidelines.
Multimedia & Digital Production • Curate, edit, and integrate high-quality photographs (copyright retained by the Bank). • Produce complementary visuals (illustrations, icons, animations) to strengthen storytelling. • Develop motion graphics, animated explainers, advocacy videos, and multimedia storytelling products. • Create social media assets (teasers, graphics, short videos) to support online visibility and engagement. • Optimize all content for both print and digital formats, including mobile responsiveness, web platforms, and high-quality printing standards.
Presentation & Event Support • Design professional and engaging presentations for high-level meetings, policy dialogues, and international conferences. • Create targeted design assets for events (banners, roll-ups, booths, brochures, and display materials). • Develop multimedia promotional materials tailored for use during key institutional events and outreach campaigns.
Production & Delivery • Deliver the final Annual Report in English and French and highlights in English and French, in both print-ready and digital interactive formats. • Provide high-resolution and web-optimized versions of all visual assets. • Liaise with designated printing houses to ensure high-quality production (where required). • Ensure all design elements are adaptable across languages while maintaining consistency and quality. • Transfer all final design and working files to the Bank at the conclusion of the assignment.
The estimated number of pages of the publications in each language are as follows: • 2026 Annual Report : Apx 140 pages (EN), Apx 140 pages (FR) • Annual Report 2026 Highlights : Apx 15 pages (EN), Apx 15 pages (FR)
Transmission and Exchange of Data The designer must have proven electronic mailing capacity to receive and process the report as it is being prepared. Other Design tasks as required for the Strategy and Policy Department (i) Support to the Annual Meetings side event related to the 2026 Annual Report. (ii) Dissemination related to the 2026 Annual Report including QR code cards, banners, thumbnails and other infographics to be inserted in a short video (3 minutes) and social media content including short video clips.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The assignment will require the services of the Consultant for 120 days spread over nine-month, from 9 November 2026 to 8 August 2027. The Consultant is expected to deliver the cover page of the Annual Report by 1st December 2026 and the first draft template of the Annual Report by January 1st, 2027.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
Established in 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. With 80 member countries, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries) and 27 non-regional shareholders from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The Bank’s development agenda is to deliver financial and technical support to transformative projects in Africa.
The Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP) of the African Development Bank herby invites individual consultants to indicate their interest in the following assignment: Design and layout, services for the 2026 Annual Reports and support to the department’s key selected high profile communication products.
The services to be provided under this assignment include complex infographics, comprehensive design, editing, communications, multimedia services and layout of the 2026 Bank Group Annual Reports in English and French, and the layout of the 2026 Annual Report Highlights in French and English.
SNSP will be providing the documents and contents necessary to carry out the work.
The Consultant may work from home address with regular contact with the supervisor and the team.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
The Bank is seeking a consultant with a strong track record in delivering design services for international organizations, NGOs, and development partners. Previous experience working with the Bank and delivering high-quality complex flagship products will be considered a strong asset.
Capabilities should include: ●Development of flagship knowledge products in multiple languages for global distribution. (Provide examples of copyediting and design.) ●Regional Expertise: Extensive experience working with African institutions and NGOs, with prior collaborations with the Bank as a noted advantage. ●Data Visualization Skills: Converting complex organizational, trade, demographic, and economic data/information into compelling visuals and infographics. ●Digital Campaigns & Video Production: Proven record in designing social media campaigns, explainer videos, and online advocacy materials for African and global audiences.
Additional Requirements:
In addition to the above, the Consultant should indicate their ability to deliver on the following: ●Institutional Understanding: Experience addressing the needs of international organizations and development institutions. ● Multimedia Expertise: Seamless production across platforms, and formats. ●Proven Regional Impact: Deep familiarity with African and global development communications landscapes.
Graphic Designer
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field; a master’s degree is an advantage. • At least 10 years of relevant experience in strategic communication and graphic design, with a strong portfolio of corporate reports, publications, and other high-level documents. Experience working with international organizations, multilateral development banks, or corporate entities is highly preferred. • Proven ability to conceptualize and produce innovative and engaging layouts, complex infographics, and visual storytelling, including translating complex financial and operational data into clear, compelling visual content. • Ability to design and adapt innovative layouts and visual elements across all required languages, ensuring consistency in quality, style, and readability. • Advanced skills in industry-standard design software, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as knowledge of best practices for digital optimization across web and mobile platforms. • Familiarity with professional printing processes and digital publishing standards, ensuring high-quality outputs for both print and digital formats. • Excellent interpersonal skills with proven capacity to work closely with writers, editors, and communications teams, responding constructively to feedback in a timely manner. • Excellent verbal and written skills in English and/or French.
H. Supervisor
The Consultant will work under the general supervision of the Senior Director of SNSP and report to the Annual Report Task Manager.
Consultancy Input Days
120.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
