Call for the expression of interests- Long Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants as Writers, Sarajevo, UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina, Remote/Home based

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNICEF in India will hire writers as required for specific projects to develop marketing, communication and advertising materials that explain UNICEF's activities in the field to raise awareness and funds from various partners and donors.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, results 

1. BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

UNICEF works towards realization of the rights of children as prescribed in the Convention of the Rights of the Children. These rights pertain to child survival, protection, development, and participation.

There is an ongoing requirement to produce communication, advocacy, donor relations and fundraising materials that document key children's issues, ongoing responses in the field, and develop communication materials to support UNICEF's communication, advocacy and visibility efforts with legislatures, policymakers, media, donors, partners and the public at large. 

These high-quality content packages include advocacy toolkits, human interest stories, scripts, adverts, brochures, emailers, letters, brochures, proposals, ad copies, social media content etc., that document UNICEF related initiatives. These will be disseminated through different channels, including online, social media networks, partner networks and donor reports.

To meet this requirement, UNICEF would like to engage the services of writers for documenting UNICEF activities and programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2. PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

To meet these requirements, UNICEF would like to engage the services of writers for documenting UNICEF activities and programmes for different audiences such as the general public, donors, supporters and partners.

3. OBJECTIVE(S)

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNICEF in India will hire writers as required for specific projects to develop marketing, communication and advertising materials that explain UNICEF's activities in the field to raise awareness and funds from various partners and donors.

4. MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

Successful respondents must provide well-written and edited content for website, media, social media, fundraising materials, marketing communication, advocacy, behaviour change documents, human interest stories, reports and related documents as mentioned – all the above not only to inform the audience but to engage them deeply enough to ensure they respond by taking a direct action on behalf of children (eg changing their behaviour, reposting messaging, donating to UNICEF, etc).  Tasks include, but may not be limited to:

• Write, edit, and finalize crisp, concise text for all documents and digital platforms, ensuring a clear call-to-action that maximizes reader response and engagement.
• Research issues and stakeholders by conducting in-depth interviews with community members, service providers, government counterparts, and beneficiaries, while also monitoring digital conversations and social media trends to identify key narratives and advocacy hooks.
• Work in close coordination with photographers and multimedia teams to help capture relevant photographs, videos, and visual assets, ensuring powerful captions and compelling digital-first content for stories and photo essays.
• Manage and curate content for digital communication channels and social media platforms, including drafting posts, scheduling updates, and adapting messaging to suit different audiences while aligning with advocacy goals.
• Review, edit, and consolidate material for knowledge products and digital publications, ensuring clarity of argument, structure, and core themes, while optimizing content for online readability and impact.
• Proofread layout files and digital content, including checking spelling, country/city names, acronyms, and ensuring consistency with UNICEF style guides and terminology.
• Implement the UNICEF style guide (UNICEF BIH will provide a style guide) across all communications, including digital assets, to maintain brand consistency and professional standards across print and online mediums.
• Write and adapt content for diverse formats, including project factsheets, webpages, stories of change, social media posts, newsletters, and knowledge products such as forewords and prefaces.
• Draft blurbs, stories, multimedia scripts, and content for the website, ensuring alignment with advocacy priorities and responsiveness to current events and digital engagement metrics.
• Develop and execute digital advocacy campaigns, utilizing social media and online platforms to amplify key messages, engage target audiences, and drive action on policy or programmatic issues.
• Monitor and analyze the performance of digital content and advocacy efforts, using insights to refine messaging and improve engagement strategies.
• Be available for feedback, inputs, and multiple rounds of editing for stories and digital content, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet office requirements.
• Deliver on tight, short timelines as needed, while maintaining a consistent and responsive presence across digital channels to support real-time communication needs.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

1. 1. The consultant will use their own equipment; laptops, microphones, software and other accessories that may be required for this task.
   2. The consultant will not give the content/material or any part thereof, to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will be a property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share the same with anyone else.
   3. The consultant will not put their own name or logo/emblem on the content / final product. The only organization branding will be UNICEF, if required. 

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

i. UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements

ii. UNICEF will orient the consultant on UNICEF’s branding guidelines

Consultants may be required to work on Saturdays and Sundays, based on the requirements of the assignment. 

5. DELIVERABLES AND DEADLINES

6. DUTY STATION: 

Anywhere in BiH

7. OFFICIAL TRAVEL INCLUDED:

The consultant might be required to travel within BiH outside their duty station for specific events in which case payment of travel costs should be reflected in service fee that includes travel.

8. ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA

The Long-Term Agreement will be for a duration of 2 years. The initial period would be for two years with an option for renewal for a subsequent year on the same rates, terms and conditions, subject to satisfactory performance evaluation and continuing need for the service.  The services of the consultants selected under the LTA would also be made available to other UN agencies in BiH.

9. QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES

(CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL) / LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

• A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Literature, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Creative/technical writing, Public Health, Social Sciences related field. A Diploma in a relevant field with experience can be considered in lieu of the degree.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in media/journalism, public relations, communication and behaviour change communications, and advocacy is mandatory. 
• Experience in writing for the Government and/or UN Organizations is desirable.
• Experience in copy editing is desirable.
• Experience and quality of work demonstrably meet the highest international standards. 
• An excellent track record, along with experience writing about the social development sector, is desirable. 
• Excellent ability to conduct research and interviews whenever needed to build the communication material
• Excellent ability to translate material gathered in interviews in English/BHS and vice versa
• Ability to analyze, plan, communicate effectively orally and in writing draft reports
• Proven knowledge and skills in creation of social media content

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required 
• Native in BHS is required

10. TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA (WITH WEIGHTS FOR EACH CRITERIA)

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in the ratio of 70:30. The criteria for technical evaluation will be as follows:

11. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The LTA to be signed will have a fixed fee rate for 2 years. However, UNICEF does not warrant that any quantity of services will be purchased during the term of the LTA as this will depend on forthcoming needs.

12. CONTRACTS CREATED AGAINST THE LTA.

Whenever writer services are required, details of the requirement/deliverables including quantities and deadlines will be presented to the top-ranking LTA holder. Should this consultant not be available for this assignment, UNICEF will contact the second ranked consultant and so on.

Upon receipt of confirmation of availability and interest in the assignment, a contract will be issued with the prices/fees agreed in the LTA. The consultant must sign the contract prior commencement of work.

Payment will be made after completion of deliverables and submission of invoices for the actual work completed, subject to satisfactory performance.

HOW TO APPLY: 

The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain four attachments:

1. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online under “Cover Letter” tab).
2. Copy of academic credentials and certificates (to be uploaded online under “highest level of education certificate” tab).
3. Consultants must have an updated profile in TMS (Talent Management System).
4. Two Work Samples – This includes three previously written human-interest stories / reports / advertising materials / content created / proposal.
5. A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the below template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving. (To be uploaded under other supporting documents).

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FINANCIAL OFFER

The consultant should express the financial offer based on a daily fee with 4 modalities:

1. Daily fee when no travel
2. ½ day fee
3. Daily fee for day travel
4. Daily fee for overnight travel

The payment will be processed monthly upon certification of services.

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Without the above documents (1 through 5) your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.