By M.E. Cohen

Who said the currently economy and the downfall of metro newspapers was killing the cartoon market? The United Nations is actually advertising an open position they have for a cartoonist.

Really.

Know anything about Somalia?

According to a job posting on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website, the UN wants to hire a cartoonist to produce a comic book there to address issues like persistent insecurity, natural disasters and widespread poverty.

They feel a comic book would be an effective avenue to address these issues due to the low levels of literacy in Somalia. The book, which they want to feature two cartoon characters (one male and one female), must be in Somali, no more than 12 pages, and full color.

Oh, and it should be “humorous where possible.”

That’s a tall order. No wonder they want someone with 7 years’ experience in design, illustrations and desktop publishing.

Apply away!

UPDATE: In a previous version of this story, I mentioned that the artist would have to move to Somalia. Since the position is ‘home-based,’ that is not the case.