Long - Term Agreement (LTA), Individual Consultancy as Writers & Editors

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,

UNICEF Laos is seeking a Long - Term Agreement (LTA), Individual Consultancy as Writers & Editors for documenting UNICEF LAO PDR activities and programmes for different audiences such as the general public, donors, supporters and partners. The duration of this assignment will be a period of 24 months, with the possibility of extension for one more year, starting as soon as possible.

Sum****mary of key functions/accountabilities:

Successful respondents must provide well-written and edited content for website, media, social media, fundraising materials, marketing communication, advocacy, behaviour change documents, human interest stories, reports and related documents as mentioned – all the above not only to inform the audience but to engage them deeply enough to ensure they respond by taking a direct action on behalf of children (eg changing their behaviour, reposting messaging, donating to UNICEF, etc). Tasks include, but may not be limited to:

• Write, edit and finalize crisp, concise, text for all documents. Usually, the text will need to include a request for action which maximises reader response
• Research issues and characters being documented, in-depth interviews of community, service providers, government counterparts, beneficiaries, while being mindful of sensitivities of specific situations, to support the story writing.
• Work in close coordination (where required) with photographers to help capture relevant, powerful captions of photographs for their stories and photo essays.
• Review, edit, and consolidate material for knowledge products, ensuring clarity and continuity of the argument and clarity of structure and core themes.
• Proofread layout files, including checking spelling, country, and city names and acronyms and other abbreviations (making sure that they follow official UNICEF LAO PDR terminology and conventions), style consistency, callouts, layout problems, references, etc.
• Ensure implementation of the UNICEF LAO PDR style guide (UNICEF LAO PDR Country Office will provide a style guide).
• Write digital content media as required, including project factsheets, webpages, stories of change, and knowledge products such as forewords, prefaces, etc.
• Draft blurbs, stories, and content as may be required for the website. ix. Be available for feedback and inputs as per the requirement of the office.
• Be available for several rounds of editing with regards to stories.

• Deliver on tight, short timelines as needed

  To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Category 1: For Editors for Media, Advocacy and behaviour change

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Literature, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Creative/technical writing, Public Health, Social Sciences related field. A Diploma in a relevant field with experience additional to the minimum indicated below can be considered in lieu of the degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in media/journalism, public relations, communication and behaviour change communications, and advocacy is mandatory.
• Experience in writing for the Government and/or UN Organizations is desirable.
• Experience in copy editing is desirable.
• Experience and quality of work demonstrably meet the highest international standards.
• An excellent track record, along with experience writing about the social development sector, is desirable.
• Excellent ability to conduct research and interviews whenever needed to build the communication material
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing draft reports.

Category 2: For Writers for website/blogs

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Literature, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Creative/technical writing, Public Health, Social Sciences related field. A Diploma in a relevant field with additional experience additional to the minimum indicated below can be considered in lieu of the degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in media/journalism, public relations, communication, and behaviour change communications, and advocacy is mandatory.
• Experience in writing for the Government and/or UN Organizations is desirable.
• Experience in copy editing is desirable.
• Experience and quality of work demonstrably meet the highest international standards.
• An excellent track record, along with experience writing about the social development sector, is desirable.
• Excellent ability to conduct research and interviews whenever needed to build the communication material
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing draft reports.

Language for both categories:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Knowledge of Lao language is an asset

Note: Candidates may apply to any category of writers based on their qualifications and experience. They can also apply for multiple categories or all of them. UNICEF LAO PDR will award LTAs to 3-5 top ranked candidates under each category. A candidate may be awarded LTA for one or more than one category.

Assessment Criteria:

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in the ratio of 80:20. The criteria for technical evaluation are detailed in the attached TOR: TOR for LTA - Individual Writers_VA.pdf

Submission of applications:

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

• A Cover letter explaining suitability for position (to be uploaded online under “Cover Letter” tab)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under “Resume” tab)
• Minimum of three work samples each Category applied for e.g. human-interest stories/reports/advertising materials/content created/proposal as per the required assignment (to be uploaded online under “Other – Applicant” as a single document containing work samples for all categories applied)
• A financial proposal (for the categories applied) as per the template attached. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving (to be uploaded online under “Financial Proposal” tab).

Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a or 00", under the fee related questions in the online application form.

Without all the above 4 documents, your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be further considered.

• 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 LAO PDR does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• Women, trans, non-binary and gender diverse candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF LAO PDR is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.
• General Terms and Conditions for the Consultancy Contract is attached, for your reference.
• 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.

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 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.

“This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies”.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.