Copy Editor Volunteer (16 Days of Activism)

Communications & PR

Overview

Contribute to editing reports on technology-facilitated gender-based violence during 16 Days of Activism.

You have:

• At least secondary education or equivalent. Bachelor degree in editing, communication, linguistics, journalism, or a related field is an advantage.
• Experience in professional editing or copy-editing is desirable.
• Native-level proficiency in English is desirable.
• Familiarity with UN or academic style guides is an asset.
• Previous work on topics related to gender equality, governance, peacebuilding, or development is an asset.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

In the context of the 16 Days of Activism, the UN Volunteer will contribute to ensuring that key knowledge products on digital violence to be published during 16 Days of Activism are clear, accurate, professional, and aligned with UNDP editorial and style guidelines. This support will help amplify UNDP’s thought leadership and strengthen advocacy for inclusive and sustainable development, with a particular focus on addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

In the context of the 16 Days of Activism, UNDP Gender Team is preparing three knowledge products to advance awareness of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, to prevent and respond to this development challenge in a digitalized age. To ensure these reports meet the highest editorial standards and reach a wide audience, we seek the support of a UN Volunteer with a proven record of copy-editing skills.

The UN Volunteer will contribute to ensuring that the reports are clear, accurate, professional, and aligned with UNDP editorial and style guidelines. This support will help amplify UNDP’s thought leadership and strengthen advocacy for inclusive and sustainable development.

Under the direct supervision of the GBV and Inclusive Governance Specialist in UNDP’s Gender Team in Headquarters, New York, the UN Volunteer will:

• Copy-edit two to three reports (TFGBV related paper with an overall approx. 110 pages, including working paper: 73 pages, TFGBV policy brief: 4 pages; GBV and parliamentarians: 33 pages) to correct grammar, punctuation, syntax, footnotes/endnotes, and spelling.
• Ensure consistency in language, style, and tone, in line with UNDP and UN editorial standards.
• Enhance clarity, readability, and logical flow while preserving the authors’ intent.
• Apply gender-sensitive, inclusive language, in line with terminology used in UNDP’s Strategic Plan and UNDP Gender Equality Strategy.
• Standardize references, footnotes, and citations as needed.
• Provide both “track changes” and final clean versions.
• Incorporate feedback and liaise with the team on clarifications.

Deliverables: - Copy-edited versions of two to three reports (track-changes + clean copy). - Final versions reflecting revisions after one feedback round.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day, 5th of December). - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. - Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities (for instance at https://vra.unv.org). - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

· Accountability · Adaptability and flexibility · Creativity · Judgement and decision-making · Planning and organising · Professionalism · Self-management

• At least secondary education or equivalent. Bachelor degree in editing, communication, linguistics, journalism, or a related field is an advantage.
• Experience in professional editing or copy-editing is desirable.
• Native-level proficiency in English is desirable.
• Familiarity with UN or academic style guides is an asset.
• Previous work on topics related to gender equality, governance, peacebuilding, or development is an asset.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

This is a volunteer assignment, not employment. By sharing your time, energy, and talents, you can support communities in need and become part of something greater than yourself — a global movement for peace, development, and humanitarian aid. Volunteering strengthens trust, solidarity, and reciprocity among citizens, and it can promote a sense of belonging and purpose.

The UN Volunteer assignment is home-based. The supervisor is based in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone, in New York. The UN Volunteers are responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials.

Summary of this national UN Volunteer Entitlements: • Private insurance: Health, dental, life, and dismemberment (coverage by CIGNA) • Certificate of Service • Experience with UN programmes • There will be no payment, stipend, or any allowances.

Note: The selected candidates should complete the mandatory pre-assignment documents including medical clearance, beneficiary form with original signature, and certificates for three online UN courses, following UNV guidance, as soon as possible (within three days maximum) of receiving the selection notification.

UN Volunteer supporting SPI in the Europe and Central Asia region:

The support provided by the UN Volunteer for events supporting the host UN entity in the region of Europe and Central Asia is a Special Programme Initiative (SPI) by UNV. SPIs respond to volunteer-specific needs of the United Nations system and donor entities. They are established by specific policy documents that address the desired programmatic aims and broader SDGs’ outcomes in line with UNV guiding principles. UN Volunteers for this SPI in the Europe and Central Asia region are governed by the particular conditions set out in their offers and contracts.

In addition to the specific requirements set out above, candidates for these volunteer assignments will be subject to background checks, confirmation and clearance provided by the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS).

For this specific assignment, if the selected UN Community Volunteer is required to travel or attend specific events, travel and daily meal expenses will be covered by the Host Entity.

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Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org