Writer/Editor/Designer Consultant, New York, Home-based, 8 Months

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, Health

The consultant’s overall functions will be:

Writing: Create original written content and rewrite staff inputs for inclusion in the report using a results and impact-based approach, sourcing all statistics, and organizing content in line with PPD guidance.

Copyediting: correct grammar, syntax and punctuation; accuracy and consistency in spelling, capitalization and abbreviation/acronyms; correct terminology and UNICEF policies and framework names; correct and consistent use of footnotes, endnotes, references and other bibliographic entries; accuracy of all URLs included in the text; readability and consistent of logic and flow; clear and concise titles, headings and subheadings; complete and correct front and back matter.

Proofreading: review designed pages against backup files of final copy-edited text and checking corrections. Complete cross-references within text and footnotes; read amended proofs against previous proofs and incorporate additional editorial alternations as required; check pagination, sales number, taglines and correlation of table of contents with listed items in text.

Designing: provide designing services for HAC overview document, Humanitarian Annual Results Report 2021, including annexes and the Humanitarian Action Study (HAS).

Scope of Work:

EMOPS Director’s Office oversees the production of several corporate products such as the EMOPS Annual Report and the Humanitarian Annual Results Report, including annexes and the Humanitarian Action Study (HAS), which requires project management, coordination support, writing, copyediting and proofreading per UNICEF’s standards and style. Also, the team contributes with inputs to additional reports such as the Executive Board Papers and the Executive Director’s Annual Report (EDAR).

UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programmes is seeking to identify a writer/editor consultant to undertake writing, editing, reviewing, compilation designing services and of several UNICEF’s humanitarian reports:

• Humanitarian Annual Results Report 2021, including annexes and the Humanitarian Action Study (HAS)
• Executive Board Papers (Humanitarian Action)

This service requires the selected consultant to be able to write research/technical documents, edit specialized documents on broad range of subjects in the area of humanitarian action, such as emergency preparedness and response; humanitarian access, principled humanitarian assistance and protection for children; accountability to affected population; humanitarian coordination; and humanitarian and development nexus.

The services will involve developing technical materials such as reports, research, strategy documents, case studies, briefing notes, various knowledge products. The selected consultant will provide writing and editorial support (editing, copy-editing, proof reading) for all these products. The selected consultant will perform the writing work after receiving raw documents, data and inputs by UNICEF Headquarters, Regional Offices or Country Offices, and writing documents according to the assigned purpose (technical document, strategic document or communication and advocacy materials). This also entails summarizing large and complex knowledge products into bite-sized products.

The Technical writing services/product includes:

• Executive Board Paper/ Annual Report on Humanitarian Action 2021 / Summary Narrative

• Produce the Humanitarian Annual Results Report (HARR) for 2021 including annexes and the Humanitarian Action Study (HAS)

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.

How can you make a difference?

Tasks/Milestone:

1. 2021 Annual Report Papers

• Coordinate the consolidation of inputs from different EMOPS sections and UNICEF HQ divisions.

• Draft content and write, edit/proofread inputs and provide quality assurance (may require coordination, rewriting and restructuring text for greater readability and better logical sequence.)

• Responsible for all fact-checking and proofreading.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Annual report on UNICEF humanitarian action is available for the Executive Board (approx. 16-20 pages)

• EMOPS Summary Narrative (6-10 pages)

2. Humanitarian Annual Results Report 2021 including annexes and the Humanitarian Action Study (HAS):

• Coordinate the consolidation of inputs from different EMOPS sections and UNICEF HQ divisions.

• Draft, share and finalize outline and timeline for report, based on Public Partnerships Division (PPD) guidelines.

• Conduct the Country Emergency Reports (CERs) literature review and train/support teams in drafting the Goal Area chapters.

• Draft, consult (EMOPS sections and relevant divisions) and finalize drafts of all review design proofs; and,

• Support preparation of presentation, talking points and background note for donor briefing.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• Humanitarian Annual Results Report 2021 (approx. 65-80 pages)

• GHTF annex (approx. 16-20 pages)

• Humanitarian Action Study – HAS (approx. 15 pages)

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

• Minimum Qualifications required:

- Bachelor: University degree in communications or journalism.

- A minimum of 8 years of experience as a journalist or writer/editor; experience working with the UN or NGO required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Excellent writing skills.

Experience in all forms of writing including for the web.

Familiarity with UNICEF's programmes in emergency contexts is essential.

Fluency in both written and spoken English

Excellent inter-personal and communication skills.

Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Copyediting and proofreading per UNICEF’s standards and style.

Experience in writing / editing UNICEF Executive Board Papers is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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.

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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.