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 UNCDF programmes. To ensure the publication for these programmes meets UCDF’s editorial standards, UNCDF is seeking a professional copy editor for its documents in French.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNCDF seeks a copy editor who is fluent in French and English with experience in microfinance-related communication in order to support (copying editing, revisions, proof reading) the knowledge management activities of its programmes.

Under the supervision of the Knowledge and Communications Senior Associate, the consultant shall perform the following activities specifically:

  • 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. Special attention must be made for phrases/language lost in translation.
  • 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 shall submit for approval a quote to the Senior Knowledge Management Associate 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 shall:

  • 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
  • Exhibits integrity in the work place, including transparency and honesty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree is required; a 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 of experience as a technical writer or copy editor is required.
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in editing content related to microfinance, inclusive finance, or development research is required.
  • Experience with the UN is a plus.

Language Requirements:

  • Proficient, native-like written and oral communication skills in French is mandatory.
  • Proficiency in English with good written and oral communication.

Timeline, location, total number of working days and travel:

  • Timeline:   1 April 2018 up to 31 March 2020.
  • Location:   Home-based
  • Total number of working days for the assignment: 240 in 24 months. 
  • Travel: no travel is required for this consultancy, therefore the applications shall not quote travel expenses in the financial proposal.

Please note that UNCDF cannot guarantee residence permits or visas for consultants. Consultants are responsible for securing their work documentation. In the case of national consultants, applicants that are not nationals of the duty station requested will have to prove their residence status.  Please note that consultants will not be compensated for living expenses.

Provision of Monitoring, Progress Controls & Payments:

  • The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Knowledge and Communications Senior Associate (based in Brussels, Belgium).
  • Payment will be made on periodical basis in accordance with number of days worked and upon satisfactorily achieved deliverables. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor.
  • Final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

Application:

Interested individuals must submit the following documents as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications.

NOTE: the system does not allow multiple uploads of document. Applicants must make sure to upload all the documents in one PDF file:

•             Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the TOR;

•             Curriculum Vitae;

•             Completed and signed 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 signed financial proposal consisting of the consultant's fees: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916, including: total professional fee for 240 days and other professional expenses (such as insurance, taxes, etc.) for the duration of the contract.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure that you have provided all requested materials in one PDF file.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

  • Preliminary Evaluation - Step I: Screening;
  • Technical Evaluation Weight - 70% x (Step II: 20 Points + Step III: 30 Points + Step IV: 50 points = 100 Points);
  • Financial Evaluation Weight - 30% = Step V.

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following minimum criteria (listed under education and experience) will progress to the pool for shortlisting.

Step II: Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNCDF will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate the candidates. A written test will be administered to the top 4 shortlisted candidates.

Step III: Written test (editing)

A written test will be administered to the top 4 shortlisted candidates. The test will be scored with pass/fail, the minimum score to pass being 70%.

Step IV: Interview

A competency-based Interview shall be conducted for the candidates who passed the written test.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Steps II (20 points) + III (30 points) + IV (50 points) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step V: Financial Evaluation

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total Steps II (20 points) + III (30 points) + IV (50 points) will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: Lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Award Criteria:

The contract shall be awarded to the best applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest combined weight (technical proposal & Interview) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.

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).

Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.