Individual Contractor – Writer/Editor, World Drug Report 2022

Overview

Assist with the drafting and editing of the World Drug Report 2022

You have:

• At least a first level degree from a university or equivalent in social sciences, humanities, languages, communication or related area.
• A master’s degree in social sciences, humanities, languages, communication or related areas is desirable.
• Professional training in writing, journalism or editing is required.
• At least 10 years of experience in writing, editing, proofreading and publishing is required.
• Evidence of prior professional writing and editorial experience for the production of reports in English for a general audience is required.
• Fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required.
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
• Evidence of professional writing on drugs and crime issues is desirable.
• Evidence of experience producing drafts translating research and/or technical analysis into non-technical language is desirable.

Result of Service 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Individual Contractor:

Under the direct supervision of Chloé Carpentier, Chief of DRS, the Individual Contractor will work in close collaboration with the WDR team. (S)he will be expected to achieve the purpose of the assignment through the implementation of the following tasks, some of which to be implemented in parallel:

 Task 1: Based on the different analytical inputs from experts and analysts, draft a coherent narrative and produce a consistent final text of booklets 2, 3 and 4 of the WDR 2022: - Review the analytical inputs (mostly in the form of bullet points) of contributions to: i. Booklet 2: Global overview of drug demand and drug supply ii. Booklet 3: Markets of opioids and cannabis iii. Booklet 4: Markets of stimulants and NPS - Draft a coherent narrative that presents the information contained in a non-technical language, thereby enhancing its comprehensibility – ensuring that the essence of the argument is not lost in the process;

 Task 2: Conduct a thorough editorial review of the draft of Booklet 5 of the WDR 2022 on Drugs and the Environment: - Harmonize the style and tone of the booklet to ensure consistency with the other booklets and fluidity of the argument; redrafting/restructuring texts if necessary; - Present the information contained in a non-technical language, thereby enhancing its comprehensibility – ensuring that the essence of the argument is not lost in the process; and - Review the text for grammar and orthography.

 Task 3: Develop the Executive Summary and edit the Policy Implications of WDR 2022: - Review and extract the key findings from booklets 2-5 and draft the Executive Summary of the Report (Booklet 1); - Conduct a thorough editorial review of the Policy Implications harmonizing the style and tone to ensure consistency with the remainder of Booklet 1; - Present the information contained in a non-technical language, thereby enhancing its comprehensibility – ensuring that the essence of the argument is not lost in the process;

 Task 4: Ensure all comments from internal and external reviewers are incorporated into the successive drafts and at layout and that the draft remains coherent and consistent across booklets in substance and style: - Address the comments of the WDR team on drafts produced i. WDR team: DRS, RAB - Support the WDR team to ensure comments from other internal and external reviewers are incorporated into the successive drafts and the layout i. Scientific Advisory Committee of the WDR and other external experts ii. Substantive colleagues in UNODC Divisions iii. UNODC Directors iv. Executive Director and her office v. Editorial Control Unit  Task 5: support the WDR team with any other task related to the finalization of the WDR draft, including with the proof-reading of the Report, and assist with the finalization of the material for the launch of the Report

Work Location Vienna

Expected duration Proposed period: 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022

Actual work time: 120 working days

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Background of the assignment:

Illicit drug markets have developed global dimensions and as such, require coordinated responses on a comparable scale. UN Member States have repeatedly reiterated the need for continuing progress in controlling illicit drug supply and demand, lessening their burden on the social and economic fabric and stability of countries. In this context, UNODC’s flagship publication, the World Drug Report (WDR) aims to improve understanding of the illicit drug problem and to contribute towards fostering greater international cooperation for countering its spread and effects on health, governance and security. The WDR usually includes an updated overview of recent trends and the drug situation in terms of production, trafficking, use and health consequences, as well as a thematic booklet.

The World Drug Report is produced annually by a core team within the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, under the coordination of the Drug Research Section (DRS) and in collaboration with other experts from the Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB) as well as staff from other substantive Branches within UNODC.

2. Purpose of the assignment:

The Individual Contractor will assist the WDR team with the production of the final draft of the World Drug Report 2022. (S)he will produce a coherent narrative, based on the input from thematic experts, and also where relevant editorially appraise and revise the inputs from the different experts received, harmonizing the style to create a coherent final document. (S)he will extract the key messages of the 5 Booklets of the WDR 2022 to create a coherent narrative of the main findings and latest trends, as well as of key points of interest and policy implications. (S)he will ensure that the information contained is presented in a non-technical language. (S)he will define and ensure consistency in structure, tone and format. Additionally, (s)he will assist with the finalization, including proofreading, of the Report and the drafting of the material to be prepared for its launch.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

• At least a first level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status is required in social sciences, humanities, languages, communication or any other related area.
  • A master’s degree in such or related areas is desirable.
  • Professional training in writing, journalism or editing is required.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in writing, editing, proofreading and publishing, is required.
• Professional training in writing, journalism or editing is required.
• Evidence of prior professional writing and editorial experience for the production of reports in English for a general audience is required
• Evidence of experience of professional writing in English for international organizations or for other multi-stakeholder institutions, is required.
• Evidence of experience of professional writing on drugs and crime issues is desirable.
• Evidence of experience of producing drafts translating research and/or technical analysis into a non-technical language is desirable.

Language:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

  No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org