Long Term Agreement Consultancy: Editor/Writer

Long Term Agreement Consultancy: Editor/Writer

Job Description

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Background and Justification

UNICEF produces a variety of topical documentation for a diverse spectrum of audiences—including UNICEF personnel, governments, policy makers, development partners, NGOs, universities, schools, children, and the public at large—to inform, mobilize, and advocate for the rights of children in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide ESAR with long-term editing and writing support from qualified individual consultants. Establishing several such consultancies would contribute towards the achievement of results for children by improving the quality of regional evidence available to support child rights advocacy.

Programme Area and Specific Project Area

The work relates to the ESARO PPM rolling workplan’s development effectiveness output (country offices have increased capacity for quality planning, programme monitoring, data generation and use, and knowledge management) under the key intervention on knowledge management.

Objectives

The purpose is for the consultant(s) to assist UNICEF ESAR in the editing and writing of internal and external documents in accordance with UNICEF style guidelines. On an as-needed basis, the consultant(s) will be called upon to support ESAR with key internal and external documents, assuring the highest quality as per UNICEF guidelines.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

For each assignment, ESAR and the consultant will agree on the scope and timeline for the relevant editing and/or writing assignment. The consultant will work independently and will be home-based. The interaction between ESAR and the consultant will be by email, other virtual means or phone calls, as appropriate. The availability and willingness to take up an assignment on short notice is important.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

Perform high-quality and timely substantive editing and/or writing, including:

1. Review and Editing:
   • Review specific documents and ensure consistent style of writing and tone throughout documents.
   • Restructure, consolidate, and/or re-write sections of documents to ensure logical flow and clarity in messages when appropriate.
   • Correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax mistakes, eliminating repetition and ensuring concise writing.
2. Formatting and Graphics:
   • Ensure any graphics such as tables or figures are clear.
   • Check tables of content against the respective document.
   • Check the acronym list against the acronyms used in the document.
3. Content Development:
   • Edit footnotes, references, and bibliographies for completeness and consistency of style.
   • Consolidate and produce a write-up based on content inputs and data provided by ESAR when required.

Provide high-quality and timely rapporteur support at key regional events, including:

• Ensure accurate notetaking, including capturing discussions and action points.
• Produce timely summary reports of events.

Role Descriptions:

1. Editor:
   • Edits or rewrites all copy for continuity, logical arrangement, readability, clarity of expression, internal consistency, and impact, keeping the audience in mind.
   • Conceptualizes themes and approaches, ensuring consistency with internal guidelines; solicits and evaluates materials from different sources.
2. Copy Editor:
   • Checks accuracy, internal consistency, and logical flow.
   • Ensures grammatical accuracy and consistency in capitalization, spelling, abbreviations, numbers, calculations, endnotes or footnotes, bibliographies, and reference lists, tables of contents, cross-references, titles, and other sequences, graphs, figures, and tables.
   • Ensures that the text is clearly written and verifies that all elements of a publication are included and correct.
3. Proofreader:
   • Compares the master copy with the proof, marking any corrections or changes directly onto the page proof.
   • Checks subsequent versions of the document to ensure that revisions have been accurately reflected and no new errors have been introduced.
   • Should have a keen eye for details, sound knowledge of the relevant language, and basic graphic design principles.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

• Provide necessary guidance required to support success, including supporting documentation.
• Respond to follow-up questions and requests for clarification in a timely manner.

Expert Tips To Be A Successful Applicant

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• Education and Qualifications: A first University degree and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in writing/editing of reports and publications.
• Specialized Skills and Training:
  • Capacity to provide high-quality outputs in line with UNICEF writing style and reporting guidelines.
  • Experience in branding and layout is an added advantage.
  • Expert attention to detail is required.
  • Flexibility and availability/willingness to take up assignments on short notice.
  • Timeliness and ability to set and meet deadlines.
  • Strong knowledge of development/humanitarian contexts and child rights programming, particularly as related to the Eastern and Southern Africa region is highly desired.

Financial Proposal:

Please refer to the two-column table below to submit your financial proposal:

*Daily rate is calculated based on an eight-hour workday.

Application Process:

The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain the following five (5) separate components:

1. A cover letter explaining your motivation for applying and explaining how your qualifications and skillset match the advertisement (to be uploaded online).
2. An updated resume/curriculum vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online).
3. One work sample demonstrating your professional editing/writing abilities (to be uploaded under other supporting documents).
4. Two recommendation letters and/or performance evaluation reports related to similar prior work (to be uploaded under other supporting documents).
5. A financial proposal indicating your professional fee (expressed as a daily rate) as per the above template (to be uploaded under other supporting documents).

Without all the above five (5) components, your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered.

Additional Important Considerations for Applicants:

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• Female candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

Remarks:

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect their diversity. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities will be provided if needed. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and undergo rigorous reference and background checks.