Long Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants as Writers – editors (Local – Uzbek/Russian) and Writer – Editor (International Consultancy – Native English)

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, Visibility!

1. BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

UNICEF Uzbekistan creates advocacy messages, publications, reports, etc. to mobilize the support of decision makers and the public for children across Uzbekistan. The production of compelling and creative digital content contributes directly to the achievement of priority advocacy and communication objectives for the organization. Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, our content brings attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s work, encouraging public support, participation and action, while ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

By measuring and testing our efforts, we use data to inform content strategies and drive innovation.

2. PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

To meet these requirements, UNICEF would like to engage the services of highly creative and professional writers and editors to

3. PROGRAMME AREA AND SPECIFIC PROJECT AREA

Experienced writers and editors to provide good quality professional services according to UNICEF global standards to support documentation and reporting of issues, human-interest stories related to the implementation of Country Program of Cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNICEF in 2024-2026 to all Programme areas.

4. OBJECTIVE(S)

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which the UNICEF Uzbekistan will hire professionals as required for specific projects to develop advocacy, communication, campaign and humanitarian emergency materials that demonstrate UNICEF's activities in the field to raise awareness.

5. MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

Successful consultants must provide writing, editing/proofreading 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 2024-2026.

Tasks include, but may not be limited to:

• 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)
• Be available for several rounds of editing
• Deliver on tight, short timelines as needed

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.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

• The consultant will use their own equipment; laptop, software and other accessories and software that may be required for this task.
• The consultant will not give the content/material or any part thereof, to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will be a property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share the same with anyone else.
• The consultant will not put their own name or logo/emblem on the content / final product.
• The only organization branding will be UNICEF, if required.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

• UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements
• UNICEF will orient the consultant on UNICEF’s branding and production guidelines
• Consultants may be required to work on Saturdays and Sundays, based on the requirements of the assignment

6. DELIVERABLES

Writer / Editor

Description

1. Human interest stories or media articles.
2. Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects.
3. Publications, briefing kits, etc.

Deliverables

Subsequent deliverables to be agreed with the supervisor.

8. TRAVEL:

TRAVEL WHEN REQUIRED WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE FEES. THE MANAGER AND THE CONSULTANT SHOULD AGREE, IN ADVANCE, ON THE BUDGET FOR THE TRAVEL BASED ON REASONABLE COST.

TRAVEL EXPENSES SHALL BE CALCULATED BASED ON ECONOMY CLASS TRAVEL, REGARDLESS OF THE LENGTH OF TRAVEL AND THE CONSULTANT MUST TRAVEL ON UNICEF APPROVED AIRLINES AND THE COST OF ACCOMMODATION, MEALS AND INCIDENTALS SHALL NOT BE EXCEED APPLICABLE DAILY SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE (DSA) RATES, AS PROMULGATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (ICSC).

IN LINE WITH THE UNICEF POLICY, THE CONTRACTOR/CONSULTANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IN ADMINISTERING HIS/HER OWN TRAVEL. TRAVEL EXPENSES WILL BE REIMBURSED BASED ON SIGNED INVOICE PRESENTING THE ACTUAL COST OF THE AIR-TICKET. THE DAILY SUBSTANCE ALLOWANCE (DSA) BASED ON UN APPLICABLE RATES AND TERMINAL EXPENSES APPLY (HTTP://ICSC.UN.ORG).

SHOULD THERE BE ANY CHANGES IN THE TRAVEL PLAN(S) DUE TO THE CONSULTANT'S PERSONAL REASONS, ANY ASSOCIATED FINES/FEES RELATED TO THESE CHANGES WILL BE PAID BY THE CONSULTANT.

NB. THE CONSULTANT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THE VISA (IF APPLICABLE) AND HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THIS CONTRACT ARE VALID FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF THE CONTRACT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT ON THE SAME DAY OF VISA (IF APPLICABLE) OR HEALTH INSURANCE EXPIRATION, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.

9. ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA: Three years

10. QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED

Category 1: Writer – Editor (Local Consultancy)

• 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.

Category 2: Writer – Editor (International Consultancy)

• 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.
• Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is an asset.

Note: Candidates are free to apply to any category based on their qualifications and experience. They can also apply for multiple categories or all of them. UNICEF will award LTA to top ranked 10 [ten] candidates under each category. A candidate may be awarded LTA for one or more than one category.

11. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in the ratio of 80:20.

12. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: The applicant should submit the Fee Proposal as per the attached template.

The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain 5 separate attachments:

1. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online)
3. Three Work Samples – or Online Portfolio
4. A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the above template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving. (To be uploaded under other supporting documents).
5. Certificates of mandatory courses BSAFE, (Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF (2020 version); Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (2021 version) & Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA) (2021 version) consolidated in one single pdf.

Without all the above 5 documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• Female candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.

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.

new Financial Bid - Uzbek - Russian Writer - Editor on LTA.docx

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.