Publications Editor and Writer (Retainer) at UN Women

• 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.

Level 2 editing and proofing:

• Establish the purpose and intended readership of the material to be edited and ensure that the writing style is appropriate;
• Ensure that technical terms are used precisely and in accordance with the recommendations of UN Women Style Guide and other international bodies;
• Identify possible factual errors and bring to attention to UN Women;
• Identify and take appropriate action regarding material that shows undue bias, is politically or legally sensitive, or whose publication would be prejudicial to the best interests of UN Women;
• Improve the presentation and wording so that the text is easier to read and understand. Check the overall structure and suitability of headings. Simplify technical language, eliminate jargon and introduce definitions when needed. Rewrite long, complicated sentences;
• Eliminate verbosity, pomposity and discriminatory language. Ensure that there is no ambiguity in the language used - English is not the mother tongue of many readers and the text may be translated into other languages. Eliminate unnecessary and repeated material;
• Check that the titles of references cited correspond to the subject matter in the text at the point of citation;
• Advise on the selection and effective use of tables, illustrations, text boxes, footnotes and annexes;
• Ensure that they prove their point and that any text included is edited (for technical reasons it is preferable to edit figures only on hard copy and not on screen);
• Make the presentation of similar data consistent. Check that any tables, figures and annexes are correctly cited in the text. Check that the main text correctly reflects the information given in tables and figures, and that any simple mathematical calculations (e.g. column totals) are correct;
• Make suggestions on layout, as appropriate;
• Compile a list of queries (e.g., regarding technical errors and ambiguities, inconsistencies and faulty logic) for the author as a separate list or embedded in the text using the comments facility, as requested. For long or complex assignments, it is advisable to send a list of queries after editing each chapter or section, as appropriate;
• Revise the material to consider the author's responses to editorial queries;
• Draft new text if requested.

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.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:

This is a home-based consultancy. There is no official travel.

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

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.