ECARO Roster of Consultant Experts in Writing and Editing – Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

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, a champion

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND

UNICEF works with and for disadvantaged children and adolescents across 22 countries and territories in Europe and Central Asia where we have country programmes. We also have programmes to respond to the needs of refugee and migrant women and children in the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovakia, as well as engagement with institutions across many more countries to uphold the rights of children.

UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), Country Offices and Programmes in the region often requires the services of writers and editors to produce a variety of materials that support UNICEF’s communication and advocacy, including reports, articles, press releases, web content, and more.

To meet the need for writing and editing services, UNICEF is updating its roster of specialists in writing and editing and invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster.

The roster will serve as a human resources repository from which ECARO, Country Offices and Programmes in Europe and Central Asia can quickly draw pre-vetted, qualified specialists for assignments.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DUTIES

UNICEF ECARO invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster of writers and editors. These specialists will be required to produce high-quality content packages, including media materials, advocacy toolkits, human interest stories, video scripts, brochures, web content and social media content, case studies, fact sheets, reports and other communication products that relate to UNICEF’s advocacy and communication work in Europe and Central Asia.

The selected specialists will work closely with UNICEF ECARO’s Communication Team, as well as UNICEF Communication Officers in Country Offices, Programmes and National Committees in the region to ensure that the services provided are in line with UNICEF’s branding standards and guidelines, and child safeguarding principles.

The selected specialists are required to use their own computer equipment and software.

Key responsibilities of the Specialists include:

• Research, write, and edit a wide range of content, including articles, reports, media materials, opinion pieces, success and human-interest stories, fact sheets, social media posts, web content, brochures, and video scripts, with a focus on children’s issues and UNICEF’s work.
• Edit and proofread various types of written materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, and adherence to UNICEF’s guidelines and standards.
• Conduct research and fact-checking to ensure the accuracy and credibility of information presented in written content.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop compelling narratives that showcase UNICEF’s achievements, programmes, and the impact on children and communities.
• Work closely with UNICEF staff, partners, and external stakeholders to gather information and insights for content creation.
• Ensure all content adheres to UNICEF’s branding and style guidelines.

SKILLS REQUIRED

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

Requirements applicable to all Specialists

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related field.
• Seven (7) years of writing and editing experience, preferably in a humanitarian, development, or advocacy context.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating the ability to craft impactful and engaging written content.
• Excellent command of English, with outstanding writing, editing, and proofreading skills, assessed through a written assignment and interview.
• Familiarity with child rights and development issues is advantageous.
• Experience in digital media and social media content creation is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Russian or another UN language is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

1. Duly complete the online UNICEF application
2. Duly complete & attach P-11 History From (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/careers/documents/p11-form)
3. Curriculum vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
4. Comprehensive writing and editing portfolio with at least five (5) examples of relevant work
5. Financial proposal with daily rate in USD (applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered)
6. Evaluation of work by UN if applicable (e.g. PER).
7. Names and contacts of three (3) referees (applications without referees will not be considered).

Please apply to the Regional Roster by the indicated online deadline of 31 January 2024.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. Once pre-qualified, consultants will be eligible for direct recruitment by UNICEF offices in the region for a three-year period. In the selection of its staff and consultants, UNICEF is committed to gender balance, inclusion and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.