Background
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: (1) increasing women’s leadership and participation; (2) ending violence against women; (3) engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; (4) enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and (5) making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting. UN Women coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality.
UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) Knowledge Management and Research department is soliciting for interested and qualified candidates (individuals, not firms) to be considered for editing and proofing consultancies for UN Women ESARO Knowledge Products. The expert roster will consist of highly-qualified and experienced candidates. Only applicants who pass all screening procedures will be included into the roster and recommended for consideration for editing and proofing consultancy positions. The editorial support will target both regional publications/ knowledge products and those of multi/ country offices where requests are made by those multi/ country offices.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working under the guidance of the Knowledge Management and Research Specialist and in close collaboration with the programme focal points, the expert’s primary tasks will include the following, among others:
Edit the knowledge products to ensure that proper English grammar is used and the information in the publications, brochures and factsheets is coherent in addition to the design and layout of the products where requested aligned to UN Women branding and communications guidelines and templates;
Edit, proofread, and re-write publications and knowledge products to ensure editorial quality of the content before publication;
Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax;
Responsible for implementation and operationalization of Editorial Policy to guide the operations of the publication;
Tasked with implementation and operationalization of style guide with editing styles and guide to ensure consistency and quality of publications;
Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources;
Review and approve proofs submitted by UN Women prior to publication production;
Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication;
Make manuscript acceptance or revision recommendations to UN Women;
Assist in identifying dissemination potentials for the publications and knowledge products;
Advise on the layout, appearance, artwork, design, photography and content of all knowledge products for quality check before printing and dissemination;
Continuous meetings and consultations with the UN Women team to ensure quality in knowledge production.
Competencies
Core Values:
Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism
Core Competencies:
Interest in the UN system and general knowledge of development issues;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
Accountability;
Stakeholder engagement;
Leading by example.
Functional Competencies:
Demonstrated communication skills in English;
Excellent editing & writing skills;
Good understanding of gender and development issues in Africa;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Masters in Communications, English, Development or a relevant field.
Experience:
At least 10 years of work experience in communications including in writing, editing, design and layout of publications and IEC materials for the UN, NGOs and other development assistance agencies;
Full computer literacy is expected.
Language:
Fluency in English;
Knowledge of other UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic) is an asset.
Contracting arrangements:
Successful candidates will be included in the vetted Roster of Experts for the maximum period of 1 years. Membership beyond the 1-year period must be renewed through a new application process. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UN Women is guaranteed. Where a request for services arises, the UN Women shall directly contact consultants with the most appropriate experience from the roster.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
