UNDP Jobs - 58584- Writing/Editing Services Conflict Prevention and P

Writing/Editing Services Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding - Home-based (LTA)

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

10-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months initially with possible extension for another 12 months based on the positive performance

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months initially with possible extension for another 12 months based on the positive performance

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

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. With offices in more than 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is uniquely positioned to advocate for transformative change, connect countries to the knowledge and resources they require to promote sustainable human development and to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations at the country level.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) of UNDP has the responsibility of developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. UNDP, through the Governance and Peacebuilding (G&P) Cluster of BPPS, ensures inclusive and effective democratic governance by bringing together its ability to advocate, advise, foster impartial spaces for dialogue, achieve consensus and build institutions.

The Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding team is one of the four teams within the G&P Cluster. The work of the team focuses on three main substantive thematic areas: Capacities for conflict prevention and management; Facilitation, dialogue and consensus building; and Conflict analysis and assessment.

As part of these efforts, the team is leading the development of various knowledge products in order to capture, learn from and build on UNDP’s knowledge and practical experience in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. UNDP is in a particularly privileged position due to identify lessons and opportunities in this area of work, based on its strong capacities for conflict assessment and process support, the effective network of Peace and Development Advisers deployed in partnership with DPA, and the mutually reinforcing collaboration within the UN system provide, as well as the longstanding experience in capacity-building and mediation support on the ground.

Duties and Responsibilities

The LTA will assist the team in finalizing knowledge products, supporting the editing of the documents, and providing technical expertise in reviewing the substantive content of the papers, to ensure completeness, accuracy, and appropriate language.

The scope of work will vary depending on the assignment but would include one or various of the below deliverables:

Draft and/or edit manuscripts to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience;
Under the guidance of the UNDP task manager and authors/specialists, assemble all chapters/sections; suggesting re-writing as necessary, adding/editing boxes of interest, tables and charts bringing the manuscript to full completion including all necessary components (table of contents, foreword, preface, introduction, bibliography, tables, annexes, boxes, etc.), depending on the product and the tasks set in the Terms of Reference;
Review the accuracy of substantive content and information in the documents, including references to case studies;
Produce draft succinct articles for UNDP public website and other media channels, including blogs, based on key knowledge products, publications and other products under the responsibility of UNDP researchers and senior policy advisors;
Follow the UNDP stylesheet which will be provided;
Point out factual inconsistencies, inconsistencies in arguments, political nuances, faulty logic, and awkward or unclear passages and suggest solutions;
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;
As appropriate, work closely with the consultant graphic designer or photographer to develop ideas for infographics, charts and images that creatively convey key messages/data in the manuscript;
Proof-read final texts as laid out by designer to ensure text and associated graphics are error free.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following issues:
Conflict prevention and resolution;
Governance and peacebuilding;
Conflict analysis/assessment tools and doing conflict analysis from a development perspective;
Outstanding knowledge of facilitation/training, process and co-ordination skills;
Good understanding of UNDP programming modalities, particularly in crisis and post-conflict settings is an asset.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in communication, journalism, social sciences or international relations, preferably with specialization in peace and conflict studies and/or peacebuilding.

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience in editing/writing for development-related organizations, research centers, think-tanks or multilateral institutions;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in text editing;
Familiarity with UNDP style and understanding of publication requirements desirable;
Proven record in advanced copy editing and/or producing knowledge in the area of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, governance;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Language:

Excellent working knowledge of English including professional level writing skills.

Working arrangements

Home-based

Fee and contract duration

The LTA contract will be based on a daily fee for approximately four to ten working days per Assignment. The length of days indicated on the LTA contract is based on the estimated service that may require for the year. Payments will be based on the number of working days and the number of days worked will be agreed upon in advance based on the length and complexity of the document to be reviewed and edited.

Applicants must submit a Technical proposal, including:

A brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Samples works done (minimum 3 and maximum of six) of work you consider to be the best and most relevant;
Personal History Form (P11);
Financial Proposal (daily fee). The proposed price will be fixed for the whole duration of the LTA and will not be subject for change under any circumstances.

Evaluation:

The Contractor will be evaluated based on the qualifications and the years of experience within the editing business. In addition, the contractor will also be evaluated on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the contractor whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
Technical Criteria weight: 70%;
Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

The award of the contract shall be made to the contractor whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive;
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Criteria

Technical Evaluation: 70% of total evaluation (maximum 70 points):

Criteria A: Education (maximum 5 points);
Criteria B: Experience (maximum 40 points, divided into:
maximum 15 points for experience in editing/writing,
10 points for substantive and technical expertise in the area of conflict prevention/ resolution/ peacebuilding,
5 points for experience in working for/with UNDP or another international organization.
Criteria C: Quality of Sample work provided (maximum 20 points);
Criteria D: Language (maximum 5 points).

Note:

Only the highest ranked candidates who have obtained a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation: 30% of total evaluation (maximum 30 points).

Please submit an all-inclusive lump sum daily fee.

Financial proposals must be all inclusive and must be expressed on the basis of a daily fee. The term "all inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the daily fee.

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The Contractor will not be expected to travel in the context of this assignment.

Final selection: only the candidate with the highest ranked will be selected.