Individual Consultant_Editing Ages of Consent Briefs, Johannesburg, South Africa

Overview

About UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency

UNFPA (or United Nations Population Fund) is the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, ensuring the rights and choices of women, girls, and young people across more than 150 countries. Through its work, UNFPA does whatever it takes to make sure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfill their potential. UNFPA aims to eradicate gender-based violence and harmful practices, protect women from preventable maternal deaths, enable people to choose whether and when to have children freely and responsibly, and enable governments to plan for changing population needs.

Background information

Countries in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region have multiple legal frameworks which prescribe the minimum age for marriage, and ages of consent for sexual activity or accessing sexual and reproductive health services and information without parental consent. Read together, these laws are often unclear and seem to conflict. Conflicting laws create confusion, uncertainty and stigma amongst health-care providers, as well as uncertainty and fear amongst adolescents and young people, who may be deterred from accessing SRH services if they are under the minimum age of consent for sexual activity.

UNFPA in collaboration with several UN agencies, including UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Human Rights Office, WHO and UNAIDS, undertook a review of the laws on ages of consent in the ESA region, observing the current uneven and contradictory legal frameworks across the region concerning ages of consent and arguing how these lead to confusion and barriers to sexual and reproductive health service access for young people. The review recognises the intersectionality of these issues and their impact on adolescents’ human rights. It recommends coherence in the laws and the need for a consistent legal framework regarding adolescent and young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in ESA. The ages of consent briefs articulate this review and outline recommendations for consideration by policy and law makers.

Since 2013, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) has empowered young people through the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme. SYP operates in 11 Southern African countries and supports adolescents and young people (10-24) in controlling their health and well-being. This includes offering protection against STIs and HIV, reducing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, and promoting gender equality. The programme also addresses early marriage, gender-based violence, and other harmful practices. 

Overall objective

The main purpose for this assignment is to technically edit the ages of consent briefs. The goal of the editing exercise for the advocacy briefs is to ensure the accuracy (fidelity of text and recommendations with international human rights standards) and ensure publications are free of errors, clear, concise, and adhere to high standards of written communication.

Deliverables and timeframe

We would like to start ASAP, with the following timeframe:

This assignment will needs to be completed within a period of 2 weeks, by 08 December 2025. The selected consultant(s) will be expected to provide regular updates via email to monitor adherence to tight production schedules. The work is to be delivered electronically by specified dates.  The consultant works under the direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, with support from the Programme Specialist Innovation and Youth Development under the Youth Team Lead’s supervision.

Deliverable:

Two ages of consent briefs free of grammatical errors, clear, coherent and adherent to UNFPA  editorial style guide.

Inputs provided by UNFPA

The chosen consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Communications Analyst, Youth with support from the relevant Programme Specialist: Programme Specialist Innovation and Youth Development under the Youth Team Lead’s supervision.

We will provide/make available:

Electronic copies of the technical briefs.

Inputs provided by the Consultant

The consultant(s) will use their own equipment for the consultancy.

At least 6 samples of relevant previous work submitted with application.

Activities

The selected consultant(s) will adhere to the UNFPA Editorial Style Guide, which is a supplement to the United Nations Style as elaborated in the United Nations Editorial Manual and the UN Terminology Database

I. Content Editing

Goal: Ensure fidelity of text and recommendations with international human rights standards, accuracy, clarity, impact, and non-discriminatory language.

Accuracy:  Check text and recommendations against international human rights standards. Verify that citations and references are accurate and correct. Ensure that titles of cited references accurately reflect the subject matter in the text. Conduct desk research, as needed, to verify information. Verify the spelling and presentation of Member States' names against the official list. Confirm the accuracy of proper names (cities, conventions, organizations, individuals, etc.).

Clarity and Impact: Eliminate wordiness whilst maintaining conciseness. Propose editorial changes to enhance readability and coherence. Check for and eliminate or query discriminatory language. Make suggestions for substantive edits to improve clarity and avoid repetitions/duplications, whilst maintaining the meaning of the original content unless authorized due to error in citation.

II. Language and Style

Goal: Maintain correct grammar, spelling, consistent tone, and style.

Grammar and Punctuation: Ensure correct grammar (verb-subject agreement, pronoun use, etc.) and punctuation.

Spelling and Abbreviations: Verify spelling against the UNFPA Editorial Style Guide and UN online editorial manual referenced. Eliminate inappropriate acronyms/abbreviations and ensure essential ones are spelled out at first mention.

Tone and Style: Maintain a consistent tone and style throughout the document. Delete excessive use of italics, boldface, and quotation marks.

III. Formatting and Structure

Goal: Ensure proper organization, referencing, and visual element citation.

Organization: Edit chapter titles, sections, subsections for brevity, consistency, and parallel construction. Check the numbering of chapters, sections, and lists. Ensure proper sequencing (e.g., alphabetical order) in lists and displayed material.

Referencing: Ensure adherence to the UN Referencing Style and consistency for reference lists, citations and bibliographies. Verify that all references have complete information. Conduct desk research if needed, to verify information.

Visual Elements: Check that tables, figures, text boxes, annexes, and web annexes are correctly cited in the text. Prepare a list of proposed changes to figures or mark them with tracked changes.

Applying for the contract

Criteria for applying

Experience (Essential):

• Completed Master’s degree and at least 7 years’ relevant experience as an editor/proofreader at national or international level; alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with 9 years of experience.
• Experience in editing and proofreading legal documents, case reports, or policy documents, especially for United Nations agencies and/or intergovernmental organizations.
• A strong understanding of international human rights standards terminology and concepts
• At least 3 samples of relevant previous work submitted with application.

Experience (Desirable):

Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights programming, particularly for adolescents and young people. Experience of editing UNFPA publications and/or communication materials.

Skills (Essential):

• Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and tactfully in an interdisciplinary, multicultural, and multilingual environment. Ability to work under pressure and respect deadlines.
• Excellent administrative skills, proven ability to use Google Docs/PDF applications and to conduct Internet searches.

Languages required (Essential):

Expert knowledge of English, fluency is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.