Consultancy to enhance, quality copy-edit, proof-read (English) and translate into French the Niger Child Risk and Impact Analysis (CRIA) Report (Home-Based)

Contract

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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.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope.

1. Rationale and context of the assignment:

From October 2021 to March 2022, UNICEF Niger country Office conducted a Child Risk and Impact Analysis (CRIA) in Niger. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive analysis not only of shocks and stresses but also the vulnerabilities, capacities and levels of exposure that determine the risk and design deliberate programme strategies to reduce risks for children and their communities. The CRIA results are expected to inform the 2023-2027 UNICEF Niger country programme, which intends to apply a risk-informed programming approach to deliberately mitigate the impact of shocks and stresses on children through its humanitarian and development programming, and support resilient, peaceful development.

A CRIA preliminary report in English has been drafted and was submitted in April 2022. This preliminary report does not meet quality standards - both in terms of substance as well as in writing. It requires editing of the English version, but also substantive review including some supplementary research and integration of Section Chiefs’ inputs and observations, and translation to have a French version, as Niger is a French speaking country. To finalise the work started, the service of an expert in disaster risk reduction (with understanding of climate change, conflict related hazards) is needed, who combines technical and methodological understanding and experience identifying and verifying facts and has confirmed reporting writing skills both in English and French. The consultant is expected to rewrite the CRIA Report to reach UNICEF standards.

2. Scope of work and tasks:

The purpose of this consultancy is to carry out substantive enhancement, copy-editing, fact-checking and proofreading and translation services to produce a quality UNICEF Niger CRIA report.

The consultant is expected to hold remote consultations, solicit information and feedback on Report chapters related to various sectors/cross-sectoral services, as well as lead limited additional research and hold key informed interviews with staff and partners outside UNICEF (UN agencies, and possibly Government or Red Cross/Crescent Society staff).

Work tasks include:

1. Review and improve the substantive analytical information shared through the report (Review content, including missing information to be enhanced through additional research and Key Informant Interviews - Factchecking and amendments as necessary - Updating of figures, etc.),
2. Improve the writing (grammar, style, etc.) and formatting of the report to reach UNICEF standards (including logical flow, elimination of redundancies, number of chapters, footnotes, references and bibliographic entries); and,
3. Translate the document including annexes from English to French.

3. Organization of the assignment, deliverables and delivery dates:

The deliverables are the 2 final English and French CRIA versions well written, comprehensive, streamlined analytically and concise high-quality versions of the Niger CRIA report.

The editor consultant will keep track of the edits made and submit them to the Chief PM&E (supervisor of this assignment) in electronic copy (word) for approval. The level of effort for the entire assignment is expected to be 22 working days spread over 2 months.

4. Duty station: Home based

5. Performance indicators for assessment of results:

Quality of writing/rewriting, copy editing and proofreading as per UNICEF requirements, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, flexibility, accuracy and efficiency.

6. Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required:

• Master’s degree or advanced post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Management, Earth sciences or engineering or other relevant field with specialized knowledge and experience of DRR and climate change programming.
• Minimum of five years’ relevant work experience in international development and/or DRR and/or conflict sensitive programmes with a focus on high-risk contexts. Experience of working with national/regional government partners involved in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climatic Change initiatives is desirable, especially in programme design, planning, and implementation, monitoring and evaluation or administration.
• Excellent understanding of concepts, normative frameworks and other tools for disaster risk reduction/ climate change adaptation and/or conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding and their application in high-risk countries.
• Knowledge of global humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNICEF position and approaches. Knowledge of the principle of gender parity and equality.
• Excellent research and analytical skills applied in the areas of risk, resilience, fragility or conflict.
• Excellent communication skills including proven capacity for multi-sectoral outreach to drive results.
• Excellent overall and report writing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Highly proficient in French and English (verbal and written).
• Knowledge of the Sahel region context and previous experience in Niger is highly desirable
• Experience working for UN and UNICEF and its engagement in WASH, Education, Nutrition, Health and Child Protection, Social Protection and beyond is an asset.

The editor consultant must have a proven track record in writing/ editorial work for UNICEF and similar reports and must have a history of reliability and ability to deliver outputs on schedule. Knowledge of Child-centred Risk and Impact Analyses is highly desirable, while a good understanding of disaster risk reduction including main concepts and stakeholders is mandatory for the substantive technical review and inclusion of UNICEF staff and partner comments. Fluency in English and French, as well as sound people skills are needed to complete this work.

As part of their application package on the UNICEF online portal, interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter (letter of motivation)
• An up-to-date CV
• A technical offer
• A financial offer
• A copy of the highest obtained academic diploma

Candidates should clearly state their ability and availability to fulfill these terms of reference, as well as provide their proposed financial compensation.

7. Payment terms

Payment will be made within 30 days of approval of the deliverables by UNICEF Country Office in Niger and submission of the corresponding invoice by the consultant. Two deliverables are expected: a completed English report version and a second French version. Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF Niger. Payment modalities are established as follows:

• 1st payment: 30% upon delivery of draft of the revised English CRIA version.
• 2nd payment: 30% upon delivery of the draft translated French CRIA version.
• 3rd payment: 40% upon validation of the last versions of English and French CRIA versions.

UNICEF Niger reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All deliverables should be accompanied by Word and PDF files. A detailed workplan and timeline will be requested at the beginning of the assignment.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.