French Language Proofreader

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.

Progress of the World’s Women (Progress hereafter) is a flagship report of UN Women. Produced by UN Women’s Research and Data section, the report frames key gender and women’s rights issues for a broad audience of policymakers, advocates and academics. Each report takes up a particular theme and the key elements of the report include a conceptual framework, policy and data analysis, and case studies. There have been seven editions of Progress to date, since 2000. The upcoming issue of Progress focuses on the theme, ‘Families in a Changing World’. The report will answer the questions: What do families around the world look like, how have they been changing in recent decades and with what implications for women? How can laws, policies and public action support diverse family forms in ways that enable women’s rights to resources, bodily integrity andProgress of the World’s Women (Progress hereafter) is a flagship report of UN Women. Produced by UN Women’s Research and Data section, the report frames key gender and women’s rights issues for a broad audience of policymakers, advocates and academics. Each report takes up a particular theme and the key elements of the report include a conceptual framework, policy and data analysis, and case studies. There have been seven editions of Progress to date, since 2000. The upcoming issue of Progress focuses on the theme, ‘Families in a Changing World’. The report will answer the questions: What do families around the world look like, how have they been changing in recent decades and with what implications for women? How can laws, policies and public action support diverse family forms in ways that enable women’s rights to resources, bodily integrity and voice? It will do so by commissioning and bringing together high-quality research, innovative data analysis, and compelling case studies to show the plurality of household and family structures across the world; and providing evidence on how public action can ensure that families support women’s and girls’ empowerment.  voice? It will do so by commissioning and bringing together high-quality research, innovative data analysis, and compelling case studies to show the plurality of household and family structures across the world; and providing evidence on how public action can ensure that families support women’s and girls’ empowerment. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research and Data section is currently producing the French-language version of the 2019-2020 Progress of the World’s Women report (Progress hereafter), a flagship report of UN Women. The report frames key gender and women’s rights issues for a broad audience of policymakers, advocates and academics. The current issue of Progress focuses on the theme, ‘Families in a Changing World’.

Under the supervision of the report’s coordinators, the consultant will provide proofreading material in French for accuracy and coherence with UN Women language standards. This will then be made publicly available on the UN Women website and in print.

A professional proofreader is needed for the French-language translation of the 2019-2020 Progress report, including eight chapters, an executive summary, costing exercise, front and back matter and annexes (totalling almost 300 pages). The consultant will be expected to refer to the English version on decisions of phrasing and terminology, as well as to established academic literature in French from a gender perspective.

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Completion of secondary education;
• University degree or equivalent in French, gender studies, social sciences or related field would be an asset.

Experience

• 5-10 years’ editorial/proofreading experience in French; may be combined with experience in academia.
• Previous experience in proofreading reports and long papers in French for UN organizations or international development partners.
• Knowledge and understanding of gender and development issues and terminology.
• High skills handling Adobe PDF.
• Ability and willingness to meet tight deadlines and produce high quality work.

Languages

• Must speak French as a main/native tongue, with excellent command of English (oral and written). Other UN languages an asset.