Position: Visual Communications Officer
Team(s): Communications Team
Reports to: Head of Communications
Based in: The Hague, The Netherlands
Salary range: Korn Ferry level 14 (EUR 3600 – EUR 5000 gross per month excluding 13th month and vacation allowance)
*Only applicants with a valid work and residence permit for The Netherlands will be considered.
The position
The Visual Communications Officer focuses on using design and visual storytelling to support the Foundation’s mission of inclusive societies where young children and communities can flourish. This role requires expertise across multiple visual formats including: photography, illustration, design, video material and motion graphics. The ideal candidate excels at translating thought-provoking ideas and complex themes into compelling, intuitive and relatable images and graphics.
Principal responsibilities and tasks
Visual storytelling and creative production
- Support the development of visual storytelling concepts for campaigns, events, publications and other communications initiatives
- Develop and produce visual and multimedia content for external and internal audiences across different platforms
- Design publications and materials (reports, policy briefs, flyers, etc) in line with organisational and project branding
- Support photography and video production, including preparation, coordination, basic production and post-production activities
- Ensure visual storytelling reflects the Foundation’s values around diversity, inclusion, dignity and representation
Management of campaign and visual storytelling initiatives
- Manage visual storytelling projects including timelines, partnerships, logistics consent and approval processes.
- Build and maintain a trusted network of creative partners and local producers across relevant geographies and markets
- Strengthen approach and delivery of visual communication projects under the direction of the Head of Communications.
- Own and evolve the Foundation’s visual identity and brand expression, ensuring consistency, relevance and quality across organisational and programme communications.
Capacity building, support and asset management
- Develop and maintain a robust, accessible and well-governed multimedia asset library for use across the organisation
- Create templates, toolkits and creative resources that enable teams to produce high-quality, on-brand communications efficiently
- Provide training and technical assistance support on visual and design-led requests from colleagues
- Establish systems and processes for archiving, permissions, usage rights and metadata for visual assets.
Professional Contacts
Inside the Foundation: All Foundation staff
Outside the Foundation: Suppliers and consultants, participants to events, seminars, conferences and other relevant stakeholders in the communications network
Qualifications, Skills and Competencies
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in graphic design, art, design or a related field
- 3-5 experience in creative production, with a strong portfolio showcasing artwork, graphic design and photography
- Outstanding teamwork skills and comfort with collaborating across cultures and time-zones
- Creative thinking: able to listen, understand and transform dense content intro compelling visual materials
- Attention to detail and a sharp eye for consistency and accuracy
- Strong time management and able to juggle competing priorities
- Proficiency in English is required for this role.
- Previous experience or interest in topics related to the Foundation’s work including early childhood, urban design and/or social change is desirable.
Specific design and software skills
- Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, MS PowerPoint, and WordPress as well as knowledge of other collaborative media and design platforms
- Strong photography and videography skills with experience using and setting up technical equipment
- Experience with motion graphics, moving images and video editing software
- Experience with both print and digital media
- Experience managing digital asset libraries
- Knowledge of safeguarding, consent and image rights in visual production
- Experience using AI design tools is a plus
- Experience with web-design is a plus
- Experience with UX/UI is a plus.
Van Leer Foundation Competencies: Teamwork, Learning ability, Result-oriented
Job Specific Competencies: Creativity, Initiative, Listening, Quality Orientation
About the Van Leer Foundation
The Foundation aims to contribute to inclusive societies where all children and communities can flourish. We do this by bringing people together with different perspectives and supporting them to achieve large-scale impact. Our work covers three main activities:
A Good Start. Giving all children a good start in life sets the foundation for inclusive societies. Through our flagship programme on early childhood development, we work globally to improve the wellbeing of babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. We provide investment and knowledge to help leaders develop and scale effective policies and services.
Van Leer Institutions. We believe the human sciences and the arts are powerful tools to promote inclusive societies because they can help make space for divergent views and mutual understanding. This underpins our support for the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute and Jerusalem Film Center. We support both through recurring annual grants.
The Endowment. We rely on our endowment to finance our philanthropic activities and do not raise funds. The endowment invests in a highly diversified portfolio of public market equity and debt and has a substantial allocation to private equity. The full portfolio is screened to meet ESG criteria. We also have an allocation for mission-related investments (MRI) through which we invest in funds aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals closest to our work on early childhood development.
Our team consists of 40+ professionals representing more than 20 nationalities. We have offices in Brazil, India, Israel, Jordan and the Netherlands. The team has a wide array of expertise including in early childhood development, urban planning, effective philanthropy, public policy, executive education, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, strategic communications, impact investing and financial management.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please send your CV, portfolio, and motivation letter to vcofficer_vacancy@vanleerfoundation.org. Early application is encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will close on 15 September 2026. .
If you have any questions about the role or the application process – you are welcome to reach out to PandC@vanleerfoundation.org