English Copyediting of a publication
Copyedit and proofread a publication on Nature-based Solutions in English.
Overview
Copyedit and proofread a publication on Nature-based Solutions in English.
You have:
- Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree (master’s degree preferred) in English language or related field
- Native or fluent in English
- Previous copyediting experience is required
- Familiarity with technical terms related to urban development, climate change, ecosystems and ecosystem-based adaptation will be considered an advantage
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
Most countries in the Arab region are highly urbanized and characterised by rapid urbanization, water stress, food insecurity, environmental degradation overlaid by climate change. All these challenges leave their population and economic activities exposed to climate change impacts and extreme weather events. Moreover, cities across the Arab region still face major challenges in achieving sustainable urban development. The Arab region hosts diverse ecosystems, ranging from desert, mountains, fresh water, forests, marine and coastal ecosystems. Some of these ecosystems are already being degraded because they are located next to or within urban areas. Nature-based solutions (NbS) have great potential to address these challenges, given their multitude of co-benefits. However, the exploration and consideration of NbS in the Arab region is needed at an early stage, and regional scientific literature and application of the topic remains limited. Moreover, success stories and case studies that document the different approaches, especially indigenous techniques and methods, are not well documented and scattered across different platforms. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage ecosystems” (United Nations Environment Programme, 2022). These actions address various societal and environmental challenges such as climate change, food security, water security, and natural disasters while promoting human well-being and biodiversity protection. For example, creating urban parks can help mitigate the heat island effect, while urban wetlands alleviate the negative consequences of flooding, provide spaces for recreational activities, enhance air quality, and enhance the economic value of nearby property (OECD, 2020). Aiming to raise region-wide awareness of region-relevant Nature-based Solutions, UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, has developed a publication that classifies and compiles NbS case studies implemented in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of the Arab region. The publication was developed to showcase possible solutions to pressing climate change and environmental issues in the region including water scarcity, coastal degradation, land degradation, and urban heat.
We are seeking [one] Online Volunteer to support us by copyediting [publication] on [Nature-based Solutions Case Studies in the Arab Region] in [English]. To this end the Online Volunteer is asked to: - Copyedit & proofread the document, which is [~50,000 words/60 pages] long in [English] - Provide text improvement as needed to ensure it is concise, coherent, and effectively communicates its ideas - Ensure consistency/harmony in the writing style of the case studies The selected Online Volunteer will be provided with the document in English language and will receive guidance on the target audience and our communications guidelines as well as other guidance as needed.
Required education level: Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree (master’s degree preferred) in English language or related field Area(s) of specialization: English copyediting and proofreading Candidate should be native or fluent in English. Previous copyediting experience is required. Familiarity with technical terms related to urban development, climate change, ecosystems and ecosystem-based adaptation will be considered an advantage. Language: English (native or fluent)
Potential interview questions
| Describe your previous experience with copyediting and proofreading documents. | The interviewer wants to understand your relevant background and expertise. | Provide specific examples of documents you have edited and the skills you used. |
| How do you ensure consistency in writing style during your editing process? | The interviewer is assessing your attention to detail and organizational skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ to improve the clarity and coherence of text? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a time when you had to edit technical content? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you handle feedback or critiques on your editing work? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What tools or software do you prefer to use for copyediting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Why is attention to detail important in copyediting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to remain current with trends in copyediting and language usage? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |