UNFPA Somalia is the lead agency for conducting population surveys in Somalia. The agency has primarily been responsible for conducting the Population Estimation Survey for Somalia (PESS). This has involved the coordination of PESS activities, providing technical assistance, consulting with donors, and management of the funds on behalf of the Somali authorities in the implementation of the survey. This has included dissemination of results, of the PESS survey for the 18 regions of Somalia.

After more than four decades since the last census report for Somalia was published by the Government of Somalia.  PESS report was published in 2014 to bridge the existing gap.

The foregoing background points to the paucity of reliable statistics/data and hence the need to further analysis of the Population Estimation Survey (PESS) will be vital for evidence-based decision making by all, particularly policy makers as well as social and economic players.   Such information is not available at the moment.  As such the national, zonal (Puntland and Somaliland) adolescent and youth analytical reports will provide details on youth characteristics such as education, employment or occupation etc; to support evidence based decisions and policy.  The national and the Somaliland Population situation analysis (PSA) reports will support the effective integration of population issues into national development frameworks and sector development programmes.

This information will be crucial in availing pertinent interventions for the youth in a timely manner to Somalis. The data gathered will be useful for local administrations, the UN, international and local organizations, donors and private sector. It will guide and define programmes and policies and support monitoring and evaluation of existing programmes. 

Against this backdrop, UNFPA Somalia seeks to recruit a short-term consultant who has experience in editing, proof-reading, providing assistance in the documentation of cases study boxes, tables and figures and reference materials for the survey’s technical reports and methodology, with the aim of creating easy-to-read reports of international standards. The consultant will also support in the design, production and dissemination of a press kit for the media, and launch materials, including talking points and advocacy through the roll-out of appropriate materials. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Team Leader and PD Manager. He/she will work closely with Technical Support Unit (TSU) and UN RC’s office and other agencies providing support to the production of national and zonal analytical reports.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consultant will be responsible for the technical editing and copy-editing of the national and zonal analytical reports and statistical tables in close consultation with the TSU Team.  Special attention will be paid to the role of boxes, graphics and tables, the objective being to bring the different components of the draft together seamlessly into a single report; the editor shall also suggest catchy and concise titles for those elements. Compiling and organizing the supporting tables, figures, boxes and resources materials required for the reports.

Scope of work

The consultant will work on five reports:

• National Adolescent and Youth Report
• Somaliland Adolescent and Youth Report
• Puntland Adolescent and Youth report
• National Population Situation Analysis Report
• Somaliland Population Situation Analysis Report

The specific tasks of the consultant include the following:

Reviewing, organizing and editing

The editor will be responsible for editing the Report’s chapters and narrative sections with a view to ensure: clarity and continuity of the argument and political focus of the Report; clarity of structure and core themes of the Report; internal consistency, both analytical and stylistic; general readability and accessibility to a broad readership (worldwide).

Organize/review the case study boxes, figures and tables, footnotes, endnotes, references and acronym in each chapter of the reports

Consistency checking and proper numbering of tables, figures and boxes in the report and organization of annexes

Organize, coordinate and support workshops/Peer review in Nairobi and major locations.

Prepare a dissemination strategy for the national Report to a wide audience both within and outside Somalia.

Technical editing and copy-editing

The editor will do the technical editing and copy-editing of the Analytical reports and statistical tables in close consultation with the TSU Team.

Special attention will be paid to the role of boxes, graphics and tables, the objective being to bring the different components of the draft together seamlessly into a single Report; the editor shall also suggest catchy and concise titles for those elements.

The technical editing and copy-editing will concentrate on flow and clarity of argument, sequencing, consistency, especially between text and tables and figures and integration of text and boxes, content errors, style and punctuation, spelling and grammar.

The editor shall ensure that the statistical data used and referenced in the text are consistent with the data in the respective tables, figures, charts and maps, as well as with the indicator tables.

The editor will send the edited chapters as they are edited for the TSU team to review and make suggestions. After the first editing of a chapter is completed, the editor will send that chapter to the TSU team; as he/she continues editing the other chapters. The same applies to the Annex.

Proofreading

Once the National and zonal Reports has been copy-edited and laid out, the editor will perform one or more rounds of proofreading, checking spelling, as well as acronyms and other abbreviations (making sure that they follow official U.N. terminology and conventions), style consistency, callouts, layout problems, references, etc.

Monitoring and Progress controls

The consultant will prepare a work plan for the duration of the assignment, which may be reviewed from time to time as the situation dictates to establish if the work performed meets the standards set by the Unit.

Final product/Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following outputs: -

• Final draft of the national and zonal Adolescent and Youth reports for printing
• Final draft of the national and Somaliland Population Situation Analysis (PSA) reports for printing
• Advocacy materials for the reports including - voices, flyers and talking points

Work Relations

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative and direct supervision of the Population and Development Program Manager. S/he will work closely, with the Population and Development team in the UNFPA Country office and in the field offices. In addition, the Specialist will also work closely with the Ministry of Planning and other line ministries and other all organizations supporting capacity building in statistics in Somalia including I/LNGOs, UN agencies and donors.

Payment terms

The consultant will be paid upon satisfactory completion of the work.

Payment to be based on deliverables.

Core Competencies

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Ability of Working in teams/self-management 
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks
• Results oriented, strong team player
• Comprehensive knowledge of MS Office (Word and Excel) and use of interent
• Work in an organized and concise manner
• Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Seeks and applies knowledge information and best practices

Values

• Integrity
• Commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity
• Embracing change

Academic

• A post-graduate degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences or related field.
• A bachelor’s degree with minimum of five years in the proposed field of work in lieu of a post graduate degree will be accepted.
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications (Particularly Excel and Word), internet use, and any typsetting software i.e. Adobe InDesign, iWork, Lucidpress, PageStream, PrintMaster, Printworks, QuarkXpress, SwiftPublisher, The Print Shop etc.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in report editing and layout.
• Experience working in fragile security contexts is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Strong communication and writing skills in English.