UNCDF Jobs - 76232- Copy editor for UNCDF YouthStart, MM4P, MicroLead

Copy editor for UNCDF YouthStart, MM4P, MicroLead Expansion knowledge products

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

home based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2018

Application Deadline :

17-Dec-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

24 months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

240 work 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

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.

As part of its activities UNCDF produces publications that share knowledge and insights gained during the implementation of its programmes in financial inclusion. Case studies, research reports, briefing notes etc are produced by three UNCDF programmes MicroLead MM4P and Youthstart. To ensure the publication for these programmes meets UNDP’s editorial standards, UNCDF is seeking a professional copy editor.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF seeks a copy editor with experience in microfinance-related communication in order to support (copying editing, revisions, proof reading) the knowledge management activities of MicroLead, MM4P and Youthstart.

The consultant needs to perform the following activities:

Edit the first draft of knowledge products, to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience;
Under the guidance of the Technical Writer or knowledge management associate, assemble all sections suggestions, 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.);
Point out factual 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 incorporation of feedback from internal and external peer reviewers into the draft manuscript;
Work closely with the Technical Writer, Knowledge Management Associate and the graphic designer to develop ideas for graphics and charts that creatively convey key messages/data in the manuscript;
Proof-read the final texts as laid out by the designer to ensure both text and associated graphics are error free and ready for printing.

Deliverables of the knowledge product:

Copy edit 1st draft of knowledge products for peer review;
Copy edit 2nd draft of knowledge product that incorporates changes of technical writer after peer review;
Revisions to graphic designer version;
Proof-read the final text as laid out by the designer.

Prior to the development of each knowledge product, the consultant needs to submit for approval to the Knowledge Management Associate a quote with an estimation of the days it will take him/her to complete the 4 deliverables of the knowledge product.

Payments will be done at the completion of each knowledge product. For each payment, the consultant needs to:

Submit an invoice for the completion of the 4 deliverables of the knowledge product to UNCDF;
Submit and get approval from UNCDF of all 4 deliverables of the knowledge product subject to payment.

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 microfinance and branchless banking in particular Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia;
Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate;
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:

Applicants holding Master’s Degree in international affairs, literature, economics, finance, business or public administration or related field will be preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years experience as a technical writer or copy editor in microfinance, inclusive finance, or development research.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Fluency in French is a plus.

Timeline, Duration of the Assignment, duty station and expected places to travel:

Timeline: 1 February 2018 up to 31 January 2019.

Location: Home based - covering MM4P, YouthStart and MicroLead .

Total number of working days for assignment: estimated Total Number of Working Days: 240.

Consulting fees, standart travel costs and living expenses:

Applicants should note that the maximum daily rate under UNCDF policy is USD 1,350 for individual consultants.

Travel:

No travel is required for this assignment.

Application:

Applications close on 22 December, 2017 at 17:00 Central European Time. Applications will be rated on both technical and financial submissions. The best proposal that will be awarded the contract shall be selected through the following method:

Highest rated proposal using the combined scoring method, which assigns the weight distribution between the technical and financial proposals as set out in the RFP. The weight distribution shall be 70% technical and 30% financial.

All applications must contain the following information in one word or PDF document combining the following:

Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;
Completed p11 personal history form with names and current contacts of 3 referees (available from http://sas.undp.org /documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc ) and a Curriculum vitae;
A financial proposal consisting of the consultants fees, in U.S. dollars http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916, including:
Total professional fee for 240 days;
Other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.) for the duration of the contract.

Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply.

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). Please not that in such case the company institution will be asked to issue an RLA. Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNCDF and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments. An RLA is governed by the provisions of this policy.