Contracting services of the writers/editors in English language

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.

Background

UNICEF in Uzbekistan maintains its trilingual web site www.unicef.uz, produces various communication materials and publications in English to keep partner organizations and donors as well as public regularly informed about UNICEF’s programmes and current activities. Also, the Country Office produces reports on research and studies, conferences, seminars and other activities.

All above mentioned materials have to be of impeccable quality in terms of content and language.

To ensure high quality communication materials, publications, and programme documents Communication Section requires a pool of selected native writers/editors in English whose writing/editing skills correspond to UNICEF global standards.

They might be based in Tashkent or/and available on-line with a flexible, assignment-based hiring arrangement. This pool of writers/editors will be kept on UNICEF’s roster of consultants after assessing their skills and availability through an interview and review of samples of their works.

Objectives

The objectives of the consultancy are:

• To write in English, as per UNICEF global standards.
• To edit documents in English, as per UNICEF global standards.

Timelines and deliverables

At the end of each assignment, the consultant is expected to deliver written materials as per specifications and timeline agreed with UNICEF.

For writing:

• Event coverage stories, news and other materials for UNICEF web site (250-800 words) - first draft in a day;
• Human interest stories or media articles (500-1,500 words) - first draft in 2 days;
• Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects in 1,500-8,000 words - first draft in 2 days;
• Publications, briefing kits, etc. - the timeline depends on the quantity/volume of the content/materials.

For editing:

• Any documents such as an article, human interest story, press release, publications, and reports, etc. - the timeline depends on the quantity/volume of the content/materials.

The consultant works under supervision of a respective UNICEF Officer. They agree on deadlines and time frame once the consultant is assigned for a specific task.

The contractor incorporates the comments and suggestions by the supervisor. Deliverables are accepted once the final product is approved by the supervisor.

Timely and accurate provision of quality writing/editing services in English throughout the year will be critical to the assignments.

Methodology/activities

Respective supervisor:

• provides briefing on the task according to the requirements of assignment;
• provides background/source materials as appropriate;
• arranges meetings/interview with UNICEF staff, national partners, and beneficiaries of the projects (e.g. families, children, service providers, and local authorities) as needed;
• arranges visits to projects’ sites and ensure attendance of the relevant events if needed;
• provides feedback/comments on the contractor’s deliverables;
• ensure timely payment to the consultant once deliverables are approved.

Consultant:

• Produces content according to the concept agreed with the supervisor;
• Edits communication materials and reports produced by UNICEF.

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

Management

The consultant works with and reports to the respective Programme Officer who informs

Communication Officer that the work has been undertaken and the expected deliverables have been certified.

A pool of writers/editors will be kept on the roster based on mutually agreed fees according to the approved rates.

For those consultants who stay in Tashkent:

The consultant is expected to work from home but might be provided with office facilities when her/his presence is necessary in the office for discussions, interviews, and face-to-face review of the work.

When a field visit within the country to the project sites is considered necessary by the supervisor, respective programme section makes travel arrangements according to UNICEF rules and regulations.

Resource requirement and payment

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

The consultant will be paid by bank transfer upon completion of each assignment and submission of receipt. Funds to be provided by the respective programme section.

Assignment will be considered completed and fee for his/her services rendered only after approval of the quality of products by the UNICEF supervisor.

Required qualifications, areas of expertise or selection criteria

• 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 English preferably in a media or development environment. Experience as a writer-editor is essential.
• Perfect, professional fluency in written and spoken English (Evaluation of sample work)
• Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

Procedures and Working Conditions

As per request from programme sections, Communication Associate assigns a writer/editor based on the ‘fair distribution of workload’ principle.

A detailed assignment plan will be developed by the programme sections and shared with the writer/editor prior to each particular assignment. Respective Programme Officer informs Communication Section once deliverables certified.

The consultant must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

This consultancy is off-site. UNICEF will assign work to selected candidates on a need-basis. After discussions on expected deliverables and timelines, the consultant will send their drafts. UNICEF will not provide office space to consultants hired under this consultancy.

UNICEF Branding and style manuals; guidelines on writing for the UNICEF publications and website will be provided.

Reservations and remarks

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and cannot be submitted, distributed to or used by any other party. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines.

UNICEF will reserve copy right of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The consultant must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

UNICEF reserves the right to update the roster in terms of additing new contractors who may qualify based on updating of UN agencies’ roster and a transparent selection process or removing some from the roster in case of unsatisfactory performance.

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

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.