Background
UNDP China’s work to enhance China’s domestic, regional and global engagement through policy support requires good communication, not only with counterparts and the general public but also with the international community and foreign donors. The majority of publications need to be made available in English, often requiring further polishing in order to meet the high-quality standard in line with UNDP’s expectations.
UNDP China’s Policy and Research Team (hereinafter referred to as “the P&R Team”) leads cutting-edge research on development topics aligned with UNDP’s strategic priorities, to inform policy making for the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, the P&R Team’s three main research areas are: 1) low-carbon development, 2) sustainable finance, and 3) China’s international development cooperation. The P&R Team also works closely with different teams to ensure that office-wide knowledge products are relevant, of high quality and have policy impact. Building on China’s achievements since the reform and opening up period, the P&R Team contributes to UNDP’s support to China in realizing inclusive, innovative and green growth, as well as delivering development dividends at the global level.
To better promote UNDP China’s knowledge products globally, the P&R Team is hiring professional editors to write and edit knowledge products in high quality.
Duties and Responsibilities
UNDP China is eliciting the services of a highly skilled English editor to proofread and edit draft speeches, reports and publications, typically of 20-100 pages in length, before they are cleared to be sent to design and printing.
The services will be requested periodically upon office needs when a new speeches, report/publication or other communication materials will be produced.
Expected Output (deliverables)
The consultant is expected to:
• To review, proofread and edit draft reports, publications, evaluations and other information materials taking into account grammar, style, content and format, as per UNDP guidelines;
• To check for and correct repetition and spelling or grammar mistakes as well as to improve phrasing and language use for easier reading;
• To review and edit the presentation style, format (spacing, indentation, capitalization, paragraphs, headings etc.)
• Develop and prepare creative writing including speeches, communication materials, talking points and etc.
• Provide consulting service on communication and communication related products.
Most editing tasks will have a deadline of one to two weeks for the first draft submission, depending on the length and content of the document.
Corresponding payments shall be made following certification signed by UNDP that the services related to the specific task have been satisfactorily performed and deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates.
The payments will be calculated by an all-inclusive daily fee and the agreed actual working days for each deliverable.
Competencies
Core competencies
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
Communications | Writing and editing | Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages. |
Communications | Creative direction and copywriting | Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way |
Business Management | Communication | Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels |
Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals |
Business Management | Results-based Management | Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results |
Business Management | Customer Satisfaction/Client Management | Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. |
Digital & Innovation | Story telling | Ability to empathise with people's perceptions, motivations, feelings and mental models and craft narratives to build an emotive argument for change accordingly. Ability to present data, insights or information in compelling ways to mobilise resources, talent or action. Ability to choose media and channels that is fit for purpose to reach specific target audiences. |
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education: Bachelor’s degree or above in development studies, public policy, economics, international development, law, or other social sciences, would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.
Min. years of relevant work experience: Minimum 2 years relevant work experience with bachelor’s degree or no relevant work experience with master’s degree.
Required skills: Proficiency in writing and editing international publications
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
• Professional experience in writing and editting: ability to effectively communicate with international audiences
• Preferably recorded experience in working with UNDP and editting UNDP’s knowledge products
• Familiarity with topics relating to climate change, China’s international development cooperation, etc.
Required Language(s) : Native English speaker.
The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
- Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
Please provide your CV and cover letter (if applicable) in one single file while submitting an application. And please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading.