Background

As required by the funding Act of Parliament, the Sierra Leone National Youth Commission (NAYCOM), is to publish and submit to the relevant authorities a yearly “Status of youth report” (SoY). The first of such reports was done for 2012 and launched by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the International Youth Day. Within the framework of the assistance given to the Commission through the project “Youth Employment and Empowerment Programme (YEEP)”, UNDP technically and financially supported the drafting of the 2012 and 2013 reports and will assist in the delivery of 2014/15 product. The report is meant to provide an encompassing overview of the youth status across the country, as well as to provide ad hoc investigation of specific contemporary topics.

UNDP therefore seeks to hire a national consultant to do the editing, review, copy editing, content revisions, proof reading, and overall design, layout and content quality assurance of the 2014/15 “Status of the youth Report”.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Scope of the work:

The work will entail conducting editorial work and layout on the final draft of the Status of Youth Report 2014/2015 for the sake of producing high quality publication. The work will entail revision of the report to an acceptable UNDP/NAYCOM standard form and content to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience.

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Final copy of the “Status of the Youth Report 2014/2015” submitted for publication.

Deliverables/Final Products Expected:

The consultant will be required to undertake the following:

Content revision of status of Youth Report

Using the content organization prescribed below, the editor will be responsible for revision of the report to standardized form and content. In some cases, need for clarification and revision will be identified, which require text consultation with the consultant and/or the designated NAYCOM/UNDP staff.

Also 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.) and will ensure all references are in order, requesting source information for tables and figures where such information is missing and ensuring incorporation of feedback into the draft manuscript.

Language revision of status of Youth Report

The Status of the Youth Report is in the English language. All questions about usage, grammar and spelling can be found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary 10th Edition. Particular attention should be paid to the following:

• Formatting: Ensure texts are delivered in Times New Roman 12, except for tables and endnotes.
• All numbering of pages should be done at the bottom right of the page
• Every figure or table should have a heading at the top and a source at the bottom
• Numbering of superscripts should be continuous and should be indicated at the bottom of each page with endnotes
• Percentage: Check that percent is used and not ‘%’ (except in brackets and in tables).Check that all decimal points are with a full stop (3.6%) and not a comma (3, 6%).
• Endnotes numbered in the text: full stop to come at end of sentence.
• References: All references are to appear as endnotes at the end of the text.
• Check that p. and pp. for page numbers are consistent.
• That ed. or eds. is used consistently and not in brackets (ed.)
• Work closely with the UNDP Communications Specialist and other members of the Program Team,  to develop ideas for graphics and charts that creatively convey key messages/data in the manuscript;

Management and organization

It is foreseen that the report can be edited in the form of a desk-study, no travelling or primary research should be necessary.

The general organization of the work should follow the following order:

• Table of Contents;
• List of Figures;
• List of Tables;
• List of Boxes;
• List of Acronyms;
• Definitions of Terminologies;
• Preface;
• Forward;
• Executive Summary;
• The Main body of the Report (Chapters etc.);
• References;
• Appendices.

The Report should be submitted, in electronic word files, ready for printing, on completion, for approval by NAYCOM and the UNDP. The final report is the property of the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and NAYCOM has the copyrights to the report.

Reporting Mechanisms

The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Manager (YEEP) and NAYCOM Commissioner. The consultant will report on progress to NAYCOM and UNDP keeping in the loop other key staff at NAYCOM/UNDP.

Timeline and contractual conditions.

The assignment will commence as soon as possible upon signing of contract, and the final report shall be submitted to UNDP/NAYCOM in accordance with a set time schedule to be agreed in the contract. The estimated time to be spent on the report is at least ten (10) full calendar days.

Additionally, as noted under “Tasks and deliverable” the consultant should be available to answer questions and update any required information. 

Competencies

• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in copy editing relevant reports and other materials;
• Demonstrated strong technical and practical knowledge in issues relating to youth employment and empowerment;
• Strong ability to grasp, analyze and explain complex ideas and with a high level of attention to detail;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Communication, Social Sciences and any other relevant field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience as a technical writer or copy editor on youth issues, human rights, any social science or development research;
• Track record in the design, review, monitoring and evaluation of programme development projects;
• Experience with editing and proofreading of policy documents;
• Proven experience in youth employment and empowerment issues.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Payment Modalities:

The consultant will be reimbursed for his/her services in one installment upon satisfactory completion of the above mentioned deliverable:

Evaluation of Criteria and Weighting:

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100% out of a total score for technical criteria equals 70% and 30% for financial criteria. The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the weightings provided:

• Background and minimum educational qualification as defined in the TOR (10%)
• Analytical and writing skills and track record in copy editing relevant reports and other materials (20%)
• Demonstrated strong technical and practical knowledge in issues relating to youth employment and empowerment (10%)
• Quality of the technical proposal (10%)
• English language fluency (20%)

Performance indicators:

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, accuracy, responsibility, initiative, communication and quality of the products delivered.

Application Procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are requested to send the following documents:

• a short letter of interest and a technical proposal,
• a financial proposal reflecting the consultancy fee and any other anticipated expenses that may be incurred to accomplish the required work.
• a detailed achievement-based CV.
• sample(s) of previous written work.
• Filled P11 form (Application Form P11 - UNDP)

Proposals should be clearly marked:  “Consultancy to Edit and Layout the 2014/15 “Status of the Youth Report” and should reach patricia.harding@undp.org no later than 21st  April, 2017. Only short -listed candidates will be notified. 

Applications from qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged.