Individual International Consultant – Copy Editor (4 individuals) – Retainer

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s Pacific Office (MCO) works with governments and civil society organisations across 14 Pacific Island countries and territories to address gender inequality, empower women and build more inclusive societies. Over the last 10 years, Pacific Island countries have taken significant strides towards committing to the protection and promotion of human rights. Despite this, discrimination against women and gender inequality are widely known as the most pervasive and prevalent human rights violations in the Pacific. There remains much work ahead.

While women are increasingly active in the business sector, they are still overrepresented in the informal sector, more likely to be in low-wage or unpaid family employment, and more likely to be affected by an economic crisis, as well as climate and health emergencies. The Pacific still has the lowest global percentages of women in leadership roles, including the world’s lowest overall average of women in parliament.

And although women are now more protected by domestic violence laws passed across the region, the Pacific still has twice the global average of violence against women. When increasingly severe natural disasters strike, women face higher risks of violence and illness and decreased access to critical services like healthcare, shelter, and food. The issues that women face in the Pacific are complex and often compounding, and UN Women works to address these interlinking issues through four programme areas:

• Governance and Participation in Public Life.
• Women’s Economic Empowerment.
• Ending Violence against Women and Girls.
• Climate Action/Humanitarian Action and Resilience.

The UN Women Pacific Office covers Fiji, Solomon Islands, The Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands with a presence in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

UN Women in the Pacific region is currently seeking a proficient Copy Editor to optimize written content, ensuring all publications and written outputs are of high quality, clear and engaging.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Copy Editor Consultant under this contract is responsible for:

• Editing a variety of content types to produce high-quality, reader-friendly, accessible, timely, results-based donor reports, programme and corporate communications materials, articles, blogs, op-eds, features, policy research reports and other materials to ensure clarity, coherence, accuracy, and adherence aligned with UN Women’s style and messaging guidelines.
• Maintaining consistent writing style, tone, and voice across different content formats.
• Conducting thorough fact-checking and verification of facts, references, and data to uphold credibility in all edited materials.
• Adapting writing styles to suit diverse formats and target audiences, from academic and formal to promotional and advocacy focused.
• Collaborating closely with content creators and stakeholders to refine content and align with project objectives.
• Effectively managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and delivering edited content promptly.
• Maintaining confidentiality, handling sensitive information with discretion, and upholding professional integrity.

Expected Deliverables

The expected deliverables for the Copy Editor Consultant include:

• Edited articles, blogs, op-eds, features, publications, and other written materials that demonstrate clarity, coherence, accuracy, and adherence to UN Women’s style and messaging guidelines.
• Verified and fact-checked references, ensuring credibility and accuracy in all edited content.
• Consistent writing style, tone, and voice across different formats, tailored to diverse audiences and communication objectives.
• Timely delivery of edited materials, meeting project deadlines and ensuring high standards of quality assurance.
• Adapted writing styles that effectively communicate UN Women’s initiatives and priorities, enhancing contextual relevance where applicable.
• Documented feedback and recommendations to improve content quality and alignment with project goals.
• Maintained confidentiality and adherence to ethical standards in handling sensitive information and maintaining professional integrity.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying updated on industry trends and best practices in editing.

Institutional Arrangement

The role will be carried out under the guidance and direct supervision of the UN Women Communications and Media Specialist, in close collaboration with communication officers in programme teams.

UN Women will provide the consultant with background information, contacts, scripts and concept suggestions when required.

The Consultant is expected to work remotely using his/her own computer but may access the UN Women Office for printing of relevant documents or should he/she be required to work on-site at any point during the assignment.

Copyrights

The products will be copyrighted to UN Women and any violation of copyright law will be pursued appropriately. All photos, videos, clips etc. taken by the videographer will be credited to the name of the person as well.

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment will be 200 working days on a non-consecutive basis over a 36-month period of work assignment.

Duty Station

This is a remote based position.

Any travel costs outside of home-based location will be covered separately by UN Women with prior approval based on agreed upon routing and in conformity with UN Women applicable travel rules and regulations.

Performance Evaluation

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangements

Payment will be disbursed on a monthly basis upon submission of report with carried out activities and timesheets and certification by the Supervisor that the services have been satisfactorily performed.

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

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

 

Functional Competencies: 

• Grammar, Spelling, and Vocabulary: Strong command of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Attention to Detail: Keen eye for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency in style and formatting.
• Fact-Checking: Ability to research and verify facts, dates, names, and other information for accuracy.
• Deadline Management: Efficiently work under tight deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Adaptability: Adjust editing approach to suit different projects and audiences.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency with word processing software and editing tools like track changes.
• Collaboration: Effectively collaborate, provide input, and resolve editorial issues during the editing process.
• Demonstrated abilities and track record writing high-quality ARTICLES English-language reports and information.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in English, Journalism, Social sciences, or other related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant working experience in writing, journalism, copy-editing and media production.
• Demonstrated experience in editing similar types of written content, supported by a portfolio, P11 form, or CV.
• Experience collaborating with UN agencies or other international organizations is beneficial.
• Strong communication and editorial skills are advantageous.
• Proven experience in copy-editing, particularly with materials similar to those handled by UN Women.
• Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in editing various content types, including articles, reports, op-eds, and publications.
• Mastery of grammar, punctuation, and syntax, ensuring clarity, coherence, and adherence to UN Women’s style guidelines.
• Proficiency in editing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) and familiarity with content management systems.
• Ability to work with live documents efficiently, meeting quick turnaround times and adapting to project requirements.
• Knowledge or experience with Pacific region contexts, cultures, and issues is desirable for enhanced editorial relevance.
• Strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and adapting to diverse content needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, collaborating effectively with content creators, stakeholders, and UN Women personnel.
• Adherence to copyright laws and ethical standards in editing and handling sensitive information.
• Offering additional editorial services, such as formatting and document preparation, is advantageous.
• Experience working in the Pacific region is beneficial for contextual understanding and relevance.

Languages:

• Strong command of English both written and oral.
• Good command of Pacific vernacular is an asset, as evidenced through P11.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, MS Office, ability to build/adapt databases using accessible software.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.  If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.  UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.)

Evaluation: 

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in English, Journalism, Social sciences, or other related fields is required.  A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.
• At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant working experience in writing, journalism, copy-editing and media production.

Technical evaluation of shortlisted candidates will be done through desk review of applications on the basis of responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR) as per table below. 

Interviews and/or written tests will be organised if needed only, depending on the short-listed candidates’ qualifications.

Technical Evaluation Table:

No.	Criteria		Max. points
	Master’s degree or equivalent in English, Journalism, Social sciences, or other related fields is required.  A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree.	First-level university degree – 5 pts. Masters’ s qualification – of 10 pts.	10
	At least 2 years (Master’s degree) or 4 years (first-level university degree) of relevant working experience in writing, journalism, copy-editing and media production.	2 years with Master degree and 4 years with first-level university degree – 10 pts, Each year over 2 (or 4) years – 2 pts each up to a max 20 pts.	20
	Demonstrated experience in editing similar types of written content, supported by a portfolio, P11 form, or CV.		5
	Experience collaborating with UN agencies or other international organizations is beneficial.		5
	Strong communication and editorial skills are advantageous.		5
	Proven experience in copy-editing, particularly with materials similar to those handled by UN Women.		5
	Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in editing various content types, including articles, reports, op-eds, and publications.		5
	Mastery of grammar, punctuation, and syntax, ensuring clarity, coherence, and adherence to UN Women’s style guidelines.		5
	Proficiency in editing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) and familiarity with content management systems.		5
	Ability to work with live documents efficiently, meeting quick turnaround times and adapting to project requirements.		5
	Knowledge or experience with Pacific region contexts, cultures, and issues is desirable for enhanced editorial relevance.		5
	Strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and adapting to diverse content needs.		5
	Excellent written and verbal communication skills, collaborating effectively with content creators, stakeholders, and UN Women personnel.		5
	Adherence to copyright laws and ethical standards in editing and handling sensitive information.		5
	Offering additional editorial services, such as formatting and document preparation, is advantageous.		2.5
	Experience working in the Pacific region is beneficial for contextual understanding and relevance.		2.5
	Strong command of English both written and oral. Good command of Pacific vernacular is an asset, as evidenced through P11.		2.5
	Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, MS Office, ability to build/adapt databases using accessiblee software.		2.5
	Maximum Total Technical Scoring		100

The consultancy recruitment process will be governed by the rules and regulations of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women  (UN Women).

How to Apply:

• Personal CV or P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page).
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.