Contracting services of the professional writers and editors (local) on a Retainer Basis (Only for Uzbekistan nationals)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, every right

Provide writing and editing services to produce quality communication, visibility and advocacy products including programme reports, case studies/documenting, human interest stories, articles, fact sheets and other documents related to the implementation of the Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNICEF in 2023-2025.

The contractor(s) will provide services to all programme sections, as and when required.

Scope of Work:

Write documents in Uzbek, Russian, Karakalpak languages as per UNICEF global standards. Edit documents in Uzbek, Russian, Karakalpak language documents, as per UNICEF global standards.

• Event coverage stories, news and other materials for UNICEF web site (250-800 words): (first draft in 2-3 days)
• Human interest stories or media articles (500-1,500 words): (first draft in 3-5 days)
• Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects in (1,500-8,000 words): (first draft in 3-5 days)
• Publications, briefing kits etc: (Timeline can vary depending on the quantity of content. Consultant will deliver in agreed time frame with supervisor before being assigned)

Articles/stories/reports should meet UNICEF quality standards and guidelines concerning length, style, and format.

Contractor will incorporate the comments and suggestions by UNICEF. Timelines for subsequent drafts and the final versions will be agreed with the supervisor as UNICEF’s comments have to be addressed.

Work Assignments Overview - Deliverables/Outputs - Timeline

1. Human interest stories or media articles - Subsequent deliverables to be agreed with the supervisor - First draft to be submitted within two working days.

2. Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects - Subsequent deliverables to be agreed with the supervisor - First draft to be submitted within a week.

3. Publications, briefing kits, etc - Subsequent deliverables to be agreed with the supervisor - First draft to be submitted within a week.

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

• University degree in either of the following subjects: journalism, languages, communications, social sciences, linguistics or other related fields. In case of lack of university degree, 2 years of additional work experience will be required.
• At least 3 years’ experience of writing stories, articles, features, human interest stories or reports on social issues for public audiences in Russian, Uzbek or Karakalpak preferably in a media or development environment. Experience as a writer-editor is essential.
• Perfect, professional fluency in written and spoken Uzbek and/or Russian, Karakalpak.
• Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is an asset.
• Basic knowledge of English is an advantage.

Reservations and payment

Rates for writing services will be established in accordance with UNICEF regulations, while taking into account the current practices of other UN agencies operating in the country.

The contractor(s) will be paid upon completion of each assignment and submission of receipt. Contractor’s assignment will be considered completed and fee for his/her services rendered only after approval of the quality of products by the UNICEF supervisor.

Selected candidates can be put on the roster for other UN agencies, to be used for assignments of respective agencies.

The Consultant will receive direct payment to his/her indicated bank account in Uzbek Sums based on the UN currency exchange rate.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.