Long-term arrangement for writing and editing services (English - native speaker individuals), Baku, Azerbaijan

UNICEF is seeking to enter Long-Term Arrangements with native speaker individuals (English) to provide quality, timely and professional writing, editing and copy-editing services. As a result of this process, UNICEF will establish a non-exclusive Long Term Arrangements for the initial term of one (1) year with an option to extend for one (1) more additional period at the discretion of UNICEF, subject to satisfactory performance by the service provider. Such contracts will continue to respect the maximum duration (a maximum cumulative duration of 11.5 months in any 12-month period) and breaks in service.

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 fulfill 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, advocacy

UNICEF communicates to advocate for the children in Azerbaijan and to build a more coordinated, consistent and cutting-edge communication and public advocacy operation. Various programmes operating within UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Office collaborate to ensure a fully integrated approach to advocacy.

UNICEF-produced written materials require editorial guidance and support, and therefore need services of writers and editors on a regular basis.

As important accountability, public information and resource mobilization tools for the organization, the deliverables must be of the highest quality. In accordance with UNICEF’s commitment to timely dissemination of information, the finished products are made available on the UNICEF Azerbaijan Country Office website.

Editorial work is required for the articles, human interest stories and digital products.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking to enter Long-Term Arrangements with native speaker individuals (English) to provide quality, timely and professional writing, editing and copy-editing services. As a result of this process, UNICEF will establish a non-exclusive Long Term Arrangements for the initial term of one (1) year with an option to extend for one (1) more additional period at the discretion of UNICEF, subject to satisfactory performance by the service provider. Such contracts will continue to respect the maximum duration (a maximum cumulative duration of 11.5 months in any 12-month period) and breaks in service.

Scope of Work:

Qualified individuals are invited to submit proposals for the provision of the below described services. UNICEF may award an LTA for all services included in the bid, or for a specific category only to one or multiple proposers, depending on the technical strengths and expertise of the prospective proposers.

Category 1. Writing 

Content for humans interest stories and digital products in clear, accessible language, following UNICEF Brand guidelines and Style Book (please refer to the links), using source materials provided by the Communication Department. Initial drafts will be subject to revision based on feedback from technical review and fact-checking. Initial draft will be based on source material provided by UNICEF, and revisions based on technical review and fact-checking, as needed (word count to be provided).

Category 2. Editing

Articles and human-interest stories for clarity, readability and consistency of message, keeping in mind the reports’ audiences, and writing style. Editing may require rewriting and deletions, noting ambiguities and substantive errors, abridging and restructuring text for greater readability, better logical sequence and elimination of repetitions. Initial editorial review (commenting only, no line/copy-editing) of human-interest stories and articles. Final read through; track changes from technical review and fact-checking; labelling section headers and sub headers; and ensure consistency.

IMPORTANT: Individuals may submit proposals for the provision of services in all or some of the categories. All submissions should clearly identify for which category of services the vendor is quoting.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in journalism, communication, political, social sciences or a related technical field or a similar field is desirable.
• Journalism background and experience in news writing and fact checking is preferable.
• Considerable (at least five year) writing experience of Azerbaijani, Russian or English language pieces, preferably UN materials.
• Experience in providing editorial review and line editing to written text.

Bidders must have capacity to work flexibly over weekends/evenings during key editorial windows as required

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

All consultants & individual contractors regardless of contract duration must complete the applicable mandatory online courses prior to signature of contract. The link to these courses will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

Application

Interested individuals should submit the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Individual resume
• A technical proposal includes following components:

-Financial proposal (please see details under ANNEX I).

-Reference of previous relevant work (at least three client references).

- Samples of similar work (portfolio).

- Please clearly indicate which service category/s described in Section Scope of Work you are applying for.

Shortlisted candidates will be given written assignment for editing and writing. Details to be shared during the assignment.

For the purposes of cost comparison, individuals are to propose a fixed rate-card cost to handle the delivery of the services in the categories they are bidding for. Financial proposals shall be submitted as per the Annex I. Proposals submitted in any other format will not be considered.

Individual’s daily rate should cover a standard person-day in USD.

Rates quoted must be all-inclusive and therefore taken together sufficient to cover the efforts of the entire team assigned for each task. This includes all associated costs such as those required for communications, IT infrastructure, supplies, and other forms of “indirect costs” or “administrative expenses”.

The rate should take into account average expected global inflation/ escalation rates over the duration of the LTA as well as any discounts based on volume of business.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.