UN Women Publications Editor and Writer (Retainer) Job

• The main objective of the assignment is to offer editorial, technical writing/drafting and proofing services for UN Women ESARO publications

Scope of Work

• Access to internet connection during the period of the contract to send and receive electronic communications and assignments;
• The standard software used at UN Women is Microsoft Office;
• Edited and/or written documents must be returned to UN Women with tracked changes where possible;
• The consultant is responsible for acquiring the necessary software licenses, UN Women will not pay for software licenses or connectivity fees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Edit, copy-edit and proof-reading of draft regional knowledge products (using track changes) – Edit, the regional knowledge products and generate final versions that will be ready for design and publication. The editing process will include a revision of the current text with tables and figures, references and citations to achieve an optimal flow of information and presentation of the findings;
• Substantively re-drafting and synthetizing of sections of the drafted text, writing abridged versions, executive summaries and other requested text to attain easy readability and understanding, particularly, to non-expert audiences in consultation with UN Women focal persons;
• Prepare a list of proposed changes to figures in Word;
• Check that word usage is appropriate;
• Eliminate abbreviations as far as possible and ensure that essential abbreviations are spelt out at the first mention;
• Delete excessive italic, boldface and quotation marks;
• Ensure that numbers and units of measurement are used appropriately and consistently;
• Check the spelling and presentation of Member States’ names;
• Check other proper names (cities, international conventions, conferences, nongovernmental organizations, named individuals, etc.);
• Edit chapter titles, subheadings and table and figure legends for brevity, consistency and parallel construction, and check numbering if appropriate;
• Check formatting of chapters, sections, subsections, paragraphs, lists (e.g. with bullet points) and table and figure captions for consistency;
• Ensure that UN Women style Guide has been used for reference lists/bibliographies and that the information for each reference is complete, in the correct sequence and formatted correctly;
• Ensure that all cross-references to chapters, sections, subsections, tables and figures are correct;
• Monitor paragraph length and content. Eliminate verbatim repetition of text, tables or figures and cut out redundant passages;
• Check for and eliminate or query discriminatory language.

Deliverables:

• Draft tracked edited versions of the respective knowledge products shared with the consultant for their editorial services;
• Final copy-edited and proofread versions of the above knowledge products sent to UN Women;
• Technical writings/drafts of written works whether abridged versions, key messages, fact sheets, executive summaries, background papers, journal papers, policy briefs among other products written from various UN Women shared reports/publications.

Functional competencies : 

• The ability to research and check facts and to question the validity of statements in the text;
• Sensitivity to the message that the author is typing to convey and the ability to judge the level of intrusiveness necessary in relation to institutional style guide;
• Demonstrated experience on gender and development;
• Demonstrated communication skills in English.
• Excellent editing & writing;
• 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;
• Thoroughness and loyalty;
• Adaptability and flexibility and the ability to work under pressure and to short deadlines;
• Good IT skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Masters degree in social science, education, communications, english, development or any other relevant field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least Seven years of work experience in development of content, writing, editing, proof reading, reporting and documentation of publications and knowledge products with development institutions in line with institutional style manuals;
• Previous work with international institutions in the field of editorial services preferred;
• Experience working for international organizations.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

How To Apply

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