UNDP Jobs - 65660- BCtA Writer/Editor

BCtA Writer/Editor

Location :

Home-Based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

09-May-2016

Application Deadline :

29-Apr-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Approximately 140 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 May 2016 – 30 March 2017( Approximately 140 working days )

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Launched in 2008, the Business Call to Action(BCtA) is a global membership platform that encourages private sector companies to develop innovative business models that combine profitability with development impact, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BCtA members are market leaders and innovators, committed to developing commercially viable business ventures that engage people living at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) as consumers, producers, suppliers, and distributors of goods and services. In more than 50 countries, business leaders are spearheading efforts to provide the poor with the tools and resources they need to succeed by promoting economic opportunity.

BCtA provides a leadership platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to development and to access global expertise on innovation at the BoP.

Members benefit from:

• Recognition as part of a high-visibility leadership platform, including association with the UN brand and possible international speaking engagements;

• Access to a global knowledge network on inclusive business models and communities of practice;

• Partnerships with development agencies, international organizations, and other companies;

• Validation and dissemination of results, including within the UN Network, from specific BoP business models.

The Business Call to Action is a unique multilateral alliance between key donor governments including the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UK Department for International Development (DFID), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Finland, and the United Nations Development Programme which hosts the secretariat in collaboration with leading global institutions, such as the United Nations Global Compact.

BCtA is looking for a home-based consultant to enhance its writing and editorial capacity. The successful candidate will be awarded one-year Individual Contract for editorial and writing services and will be given assignments on a 3-day per week basis. The consultant is expected to work for 3-days per week on average.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be awarded one-year Individual Contract for editorial and writing services and will be given assignments on a 3-day per week basis. The Consultant will deliver the following services to the BCtA Secretariat under the supervision of the Programme Manager and Programme Analyst of the Business Call to Action.

Research and knowledge creation:

• Draft, rewrite, and/or copy-edit and proof BCtA case studies, reports, blogs, press releases, website contributions and other material for public use on a deadline basis;

• Copy-edit and draft talking points, articles, fact-sheets, brochures, results-pages and op-eds;

• Ensure all references are in order, requesting source information for tables and figures when such information is missing;

• Ensure timely incorporation of feedback received from internal and external peer reviewers into draft manuscripts;

• Proof-read final texts as laid out by designer to ensure text and associated graphics are error free;

• Creative writing targeting external/internal audiences and the media;

• Summarize, draft and edit succinct communications pieces in close cooperation with BCtA staff;

• Produce/draft articles for BCtA media channels, including blogs, based on key knowledge products, publications and other products, interviews, webinars, events, etc;

• Serve a note-taker during the BCtA Annual Forum in September; draft summary report and articles based on the event;

• Draft new member press releases in coordination with the BCtA team, author(s), and communications focal points within relevant BCtA ember company teams.

The consultant shall support the BCtA Secretariat in other tasks related to writing and editing that may arise during the assignment period.

Reporting Requirements

Payment to be made once a month upon submitted satisfactory progress report against deliverables and approved timesheet.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

• Ability to work in a team;

• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;

• Strong social media skills and background with a good creativity and ability to take initiative;

• Professional copywriting and editing skills, including articles, reports, social media content, press releases, etc.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;

• Strong analytical, research and writing skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically;

• Performance-oriented and focused on results;

• Persistence and willingness to follow through;

• Strong advocacy and outreach skills and ability to communicate clearly and quickly;

• Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job;

• Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong presentation skills in meetings, and adapting style and content to different audiences.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in communications, journalism, international relations, law, or development-related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience as an editor producing/editing relevant publications and products;

• Experience in editing materials for development-related organizations;

• Experience with UNDP is an advantage;

• Proven record or writing and/or editing in the area of private sector in development is an asset;

• Proven record or writing and/or editing in the area of private sector and inclusive business is an advantage.

Language:

Excellent writing and editing skills in English is required.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable and;

• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

• Criteria A (experience as an editor producing/editing relevant publications and products) – max points: 15;

• Criteria B (Experience in editing materials for media outlets, development-related organizations, research centres, think-tanks or multilateral institutions) - max points: 10;

• Criteria C (At least 3 writing samples relevant to this assignment are presented in the application; tracked record or writing and/or editing in the area of private sector in development within UNDP context and inclusive business is an advantage) - max points: 10.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Application procedures:

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Submission of application

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;

• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;

• 3 Writing samples relevant to this assignment (articles, reports, etc.);

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

Financial Proposal:

• Specifying a daily rate amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement (all-inclusive professional fee;

• Travel costs for 1 mission to New York during the third week of September for the duration of 3 days. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as a separate line. (Any other travel will be paid separately as per UNDP rules and regulations).

Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 . The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for BCtA Writer/Editor Consultant – Istanbul, Turkey" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs.