Consultanct, Copy Editor For IFRC Emergency Appeals Review

Vacancy No.S17695Category of ContractConsultantPosition TypeConsultantApplication Deadline03/06/2026Job Posted On27/05/2026Duty StationGlobalCountryGLOBAL Different LocationsGradeConsultant, Not ApplicableDuty Station StatusN/AAccompanied StatusN/ADuration12 months

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking one copy editor to ensure a high level of quality and consistency of its Emergency Appeals (and related documents) which serve as promotion/marketing document for fundraising.

Job Purpose

  • IFRC launches Emergency Appeals to derive support (voluntary funds) for its emergency response operations. Emergency Appeals are an international marketing and positioning document launched by the IFRC at the request of a National Society to promote an operation to the external audience to generate funding.
  • Emergency Appeals are complemented by Operational Strategies which provide a clear vision on the overall approach and specific response actions to be taken.
  • Both documents are posted on IFRC website after approval and copy editing.

Contents of Emergency Appeal

  • The Emergency Appeals contain text, photos, and infographics. The document is roughly 6 - 8 pages (3,000 – 3,500 words) (The example of published Emergency Appeal for Madagascar Cyclone is here. 8 pages, 3,441 words) but it depends on the context. Revised Emergency Appeals are expected to be longer.
  • The Operational Strategy, which ideally should be published within 7 days after the Emergency Appeal publication, contains text, photos, infographics, funding requirement visual, and timeline. The document is roughly 30 - 40 pages (The example of published Operational Strategy for Madagascar Cyclone is here. 37 pages, 15,591 words) but could be more. Revised Operational Strategy are expected to be longer.
  • Emergency Appeals and Operational Strategies are written in English.
  • The number of Emergency Appeals to be copy edited during a contracting period depends on the humanitarian situation. For instance, 33 Emergency Appeals were launched by IFRC secretariat in 2024 and 16 Emergency Appeals were launched in 2025.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Copy Editor will be responsible for editing the document electronically in MS Word format, with all changes tracked within a very limited timeline. The document to be copy edited will be shared by IFRC Geneva Operation Coordinators by e-mail.

  • Copy editing would review Emergency Appeal, Operational Strategy, revised Emergency Appeal and revised Operational Strategy documents in order to:
    • ensure coherency and relevance of the narrative and structure as per EA and OS guidance documents
    • propose modifications to the text to increase clarity and readability when deemed important
    • shorten part of the documents if requested by the Operations Coordinators (always ensuring coherency and relevancy of information included)
    • ensure that the content and format of documents submitted follow IFRC standards
    • ensure correct and consistent spelling, grammar, syntax, acronyms, punctuation, consistent style for text, footnotes, terminology, bibliographies and headings, gaps in text etc.
    • ensure proper section headings, tables, picture captions, page numbering, running headers and footers, and referencing, applying the IFRC style guide.
  • The Copy editing should be completed within a timeframe specified below:
    • Emergency Appeal - within 6 hours after the document is shared by IFRC Operations Coordinators
    • Operational Strategy – within 6 hours after the document is shared by IFRC Operations Coordinators
    • Revised Emergency Appeal – within 24 – 48 hours after the document is shared by IFRC. Timeframe could be extended in agreement with the IFRC Operations Coordinators
    • Revised Operational Strategy – within 48 - 72 hours after the document is shared by IFRC. Timeframe could be extended in agreement with the IFRC Operations Coordinators

*The copy editing maybe be required at night and over the weekend as well (Geneva time).

  • The copy editing should be made in a close coordination with respective Operation Coordinators in IFRC Geneva.
  • The selected candidate will be required to participate in an induction process where IFRC templates and standards will be presented and discussed in details.

Contracting Period

From 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Contracting Outputs

  • Copy-edited MS Word version of Emergency Appeal and Operational Strategy which is to be sent by email to relevant Operation Coordinators.
  • If feasible, it might be required to work on Microsoft Teams space.

Management Consultancy

  • Overall management of consultancy will be provided by Manager, Operations Coordination, IFRC Geneva.
  • Operations Coordinators IFRC Geneva will be main contact persons on each copy editing.

Experience

Required

  • At least three years of experience in similar roles (copy editing).

Preferred

  • Working experience with IFRC or Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

  • Strong computer processing skills; proficient in MS Word.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Teams environment.
  • Mastery of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and ability to make constructive suggestions.
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure.

Language

Required

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.