English Language Editor (SSAs)

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s (the Mission) core mandate focuses on institution- and democracy-building, as well as human rights. It works mainly in the areas of protection and promotion of human and community rights; good governance, gender equality and civic participation; the training of judicial personnel, the Kosovo Police and public administrators, and electoral support.

The Mission mandate was set out by OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 305 of 1 July 1999. It gives the Mission the lead role in all matters relating to institution- and democracy-building, protection and promotion of human rights and development of a public safety and security sector. The Mission comprises three programmatic departments and five regional centers. 

The Mission periodically prepares thematic reports covering various portfolios under its mandate. The Mission is looking to create a roster of editors to periodically support the Mission programmatic departments in finalisation of English language reports and documents so that they may be published for specific audiences, meeting the highest standards of English in relation to grammar, spelling, punctuation and citation style, as well as logical structure, coherence of ideas, clarity and readability of text, and uniform style.

Text to be edited will originally have been drafted by either OSCE Mission in Kosovo local or international personnel.
 

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective is to ensure high-quality thematic reports and prepare them for publishing.

Duration of Assignment:

The consultancy will not exceed 30 working days. 

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Mission envisages the English language editor to review and process documents in collaboration with the author to understand both the purpose of a report or other document, as well as the audience targeted, which will help inform how English may be nuanced to help reach the intended audience. To ensure clarity and logic for the chosen audience, the English language editor will seek clarifications on various text passages, ideally via online video applications and screen-sharing from the author. The Mission is looking for a symbiotic editing process rather than editing or re-writing the report or other document in isolation. It should be noted that upon the completion of the first round of the English language edit, the item will go forward to be reviewed for clearance and approval by a number of offices of the Mission. This process may result in comments and edits, with the former having to be responded to by the drafter. After these various reviews, the document would need to be attended to again by the English language editor to review changes made from an English language point of view. 

The English language editor will report to the respective Director or Deputy Director of the Department commissioning work. Oversight will relate to i. assignment of reports or other work and linking with the author of the report; ii. monitoring of progress; ii. ensuring responsiveness and timely completion of assignments; iv. acceptance of work for initiation of payment. 

Under the general supervision of the hiring manager, and in collaboration with the drafters of the reports and in consultation with the department director or their designees, the Editor performs the following duties:

1. Compiling and editing printed Mission informational material, including thematic reports, handbooks, project reports, background papers, fact sheets, brochures, etc.; Conceptualizing, when needed as part of the first editing stage, together with Mission staff developing thematic reports, analyses, publications in relation to Mission portfolios or projects; making proposals for their design and layout, if needed;
2. Review, edit and process documents in collaboration with the author, with a view to ensure accurate English language, logical flow of information and structure of the documents, as adapted to the targeted audience. Editing and review will be done in two rounds on average.
3. Suggesting, from previous editing and publication experience, user-friendly formats for Mission publications tailored to target readerships;
4. Suggest revisions to the publications in line with the intended scope and audience.
    

Deliverables:

1.  Accurate English written reports and other publications delivered on time, as agreed with the supervisor and in coordination with the author (15 pages per day would be expected as normal volume per working day). Two rounds might be required. An English language document ready for publication in relation to English for the audience previously specified, meeting the highest standards of English in relation to grammar, spelling, punctuation and citation style, as well as logical structure, coherence of ideas, clarity and readability of text, and uniform style.

-First stage: Editing upon a document having being drafted by the author, this requiring the bulk of time under the assignment; submission of the edited document showing all track changes, and a clean copy showing no English language editing track changes.

- Second stage: Editing upon a document having been commented on by those clearing it for approval, this requiring limited time; submission of the edited document showing all track changes, and a clean copy showing no English language editing track changes.

           2. Suggested format to a publication during the first editing stage to be provided in maximum 3 days from delivery of the publication Concept note and initial publication draft.

          3. At least two (2) meetings with the author will be attended during the first review round and at least one (1) meeting during the second review round.

Performance Indicators:

1. The final first and second review versions of the edited report are submitted on time and to the satisfaction of the supervisor, the author and Mission management (after the first stage the document edited is ready for further internal circulation at the Mission. After the second stage the document edited is ready for lay-outing and/or translation.).
2. Edited documents are ready for publication.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree in political science, journalism, human rights, languages or other related field; In case a first (undergraduate) degree is not in such a field, a relevant Master’s degree or other graduate degree would be acceptable
• Minimum of six years of experience in publishing and/or journalism 
• Documented experience of English language editing, ideally for an international organization or international NGO working in the general field of human rights, public safety and security or democratization.
• Experience in areas covered by the Mission mandate: human rights and communities, democratization and/or security and public safety.
• Knowledge of political context and previous experience of working in the Mission area of responsibility is considered an asset.
• Experience with publications design or co-operation with designers, as well as working with online publishing tools;
• Familiarity with ‘countries in transition’ in the Balkans, Eastern Europe or CIS, ideally from previous work experience in these regions.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English;
• Excellent user knowledge of Windows Word
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, ethical awareness and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will depend on the qualifications and experience of individual experts as well as the detailed work plan to be agreed upon and will be based on the current OSCE consultancy rates.

In order to apply for this position, you must complete the OSCE's online application form, found under https://vacancies.osce.org/. Applicants are encouraged to use the online recruitment and only fully completed OSCE applications will be accepted. However, if you have technical difficulties with the system you may use the offline application form found under https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model. and forward the completed form quoting the vacancy number by e-mail to: consultancy.omik@osce.org. In line with your qualifications please indicate a preference to
one or more fields of expertise listed above (while using the online application the field of expertise preference can be indicated in the cover letter part). Kindly note that applications received after the deadline, submitted in different formats than the OSCE Application Form, or in other languages
than the English language would not be considered. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply.