Consultancy – Writers Roster, UNICEF EAPRO, Bangkok, Thailand

The Communication Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking applications to a roster for individual consultants to create and produce written articles, human interest stories, reports and other materials of UNICEF’s programme activities.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfilling their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.                                                                                                                                       

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Communication Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking applications to a roster for individual consultants to create and produce written articles, human interest stories, reports and other materials of UNICEF’s programme activities.

Work Assignment:

• Write, edit and finalize (but not limited to) concise human interest stories, blogs, reports, articles, op-eds, media and advocacy materials, and text for photo essays, and other communication materials for website, prints and other applications as required.
• Research issues being documented, including in-depth interviews with programme staff, community, service providers, government counterparts and beneficiaries, while being mindful of the sensitivities of specific situations, to support the content writing.
• Work in close coordination (where required and when a photographer has been engaged) with photographers to capture relevant powerful images for stories and photo-essays.
• Work with programme sections to develop key messages.
• Develop advocacy and programming briefs as requested by the sections.
• Write digital media content as required including for website and social media.

In all written products, the following considerations must be made:

• Protecting the rights of the child must be given priority above all considerations when collecting and writing stories and other materials.
• Ensuring evidence generation adheres to UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation and Data Collection and Analysis.
• Ensuring clarity, readability, logic, appropriateness as well as engaging writing in all products.
• Ensuring language accuracy. The final product must not require further editing/copy-editing. Proof-read, including spelling checks, country and city names as well as acronyms and other abbreviations (making sure that they follow official UNICEF terminology and conventions), style consistency, references, etc.
• Ensure adherence to UNICEF style book and guidelines and alignment with the regional and country programme objectives. (UNICEF style guide will be provided by the UNICEF East Asia & Pacific Office).
• Ensuring factual accuracy including accurate representation of the issues and programmes.
• Be available for feedback and inputs as per the requirements of the office.
• Be available for several rounds of editing with regards to stories.

End Product:

The consultant will be creating various content for both external and internal audiences. Deliverables include but not limited to well-written, engaging and edited human interest stories, blogs, web content, fact-sheets, media briefs, press materials, op-eds, press releases, case studies, articles, knowledge sharing materials, reports, data summaries, advocacy and policy briefs, social media content, texts and other engaging content for various outlets as required.

Official travel:  Travel may be required during the assignment.

Estimated Duration of Contract:  11.5 months with possibility of extension.  The number of actual working days will be determined on a need basis.

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Advanced University Degree in English, communication, journalism, creative writing, social science, or similar discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in communication, writing for an external audience or writing programmatic and advocacy briefs.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality, creative communication materials that meet the highest international standards. This includes ability to write outstanding materials and turn ‘technical’ language into engaging content for a wider audience.
• Experience writing for UN (including UNICEF) or other international organizations highly desirable.
• Excellent ability to conduct interviews.
• Excellent ability to craft compelling stories based on material gathered in interviews.
• Possess excellent research, logical, analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of East Asia & the Pacific and its development context is an asset.
• Knowledge of child rights issues is desirable.
• English native speakers or high level English essential.
• Well organized and structured, good attention for detail.
• Professional work ethic, integrity, and initiative.

Interested candidates are requested to provide CV/P-11/profile, proposed professional fee per day or per page in USD, some example of previous work, and contacts of 3 references by 24 September 2020.

 FORM P11.doc

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.