Background

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

KINDLY PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION BASED ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE OUTLINED AT THE END OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.

 

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

The UNDP Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) works to enhance the development effectiveness of UNDP by providing an objective assessment of contributions to development results, through assessing its programmes and operations. The Independent Evaluation Office conducts strategic, thematic, programmatic and country level evaluations. It assures the quality and use of UNDP evaluations by establishing norms, standards and guidelines and by knowledge sharing and networking.

The IEO of UNDP produces approx. 20 evaluation reports a year which includes: Thematic Evaluations, Global & Regional Programme Evaluations and Independent Country Programme Evaluations (ICPEs). Please visit our website to access any of these reports: www.undp.org/evaluation.

Aside from the publications IEO also produces several communications and outreach materials such as annual reports, brochures, fact sheets, briefs, occasional papers, National Evaluation Capacity Proceedings, speeches and more.

IEO requires the services of English editors to ensure proper presentation and dissemination of information relating to the production of its publications, evaluation reports and other communications materials.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The IEO of UNDP would like to enter into Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), with contractors that can provide professional editing of its publications, evaluation reports, communications materials and technical documents on topics of global development and UNDP thematic areas such as Poverty Reduction, Gender Equality, Good Governance, SDGs, National Ownership, Sustainable Development Goals. The deliverables of these editorial services for an IEO publication include the following:

1) Provide editing and proof-reading services for materials ranging from complex publications to substantive technical documents. Provide technical writing if requested/required for some sections/paragraphs to improve the readability of reports.

2) Perform up to 6 rounds of substantive editing of IEO reports: including up to 3 rounds of editing and proofreading in track changes in word and up to 3 rounds of final review and editing of the designed/ layout version in pdf.

3) Perform editing according to UNDP Style Manual, UN editorial style manual and IEO style manual (will be provided).

4) The editor will be responsible for ensuring:

  • Copyediting, proofreading, filling in gaps in the information, restructuring and rewriting if required
  • Correct spelling and appropriate use of words with correct grammar and syntax
  • A consistent style and format throughout the document
  • Correct use of English while maintaining the authors’ writing style to the extent practical
  • Elimination of repetition and inconsistencies
  • Appropriate positioning and numbering of boxes, figures and tables
  • Consistent font (s) – as relevant to headings and text
  • Appropriate use of italicized and bolded words
  • Ensure all footnotes, sources, references are complete and consistent
  • Thorough review of annexes (people consulted, bibliography, etc) to highlight incomplete areas along with consistency in presentation as per UNDP publication guidelines.
  • Prepare a complete table of contents and acronym list per document.
  • Editing/review of figures, tables, infographics and pictures.
  • Proof read designed layout files to ensure a complete print ready file.

Deliverables & Time schedules

This LTA shall come into effect for a period of one year from the date of signing the agreement by IEO and will be extendable for another two years based on performance. For each assignment, the IEO shall agree in email with the contractor specific deliverables and timeline that will be binding for the contractor.  The IEO will be producing several publications in 2019, however, no guarantee of minimum assignments can be given in advance. The full payment will be made only after the successful completion of task, which will be reviewed and approved by the IEO. The deliverable is a high quality printing ready professionally edited documents, reports and other communication materials under each assignment in this LTA.

 

Competencies

 

  • Outstanding command of written and spoken English is required; Excellent writing and editing/reviewing skills;
  • Demonstrate strong written communication, research and analytical and ability to rapidly integrate information from various sources;
  • Knowledgeable of current UNDP activities and must be willing to follow established brand guidelines;
  • Ability to work in track changes in Word and Pdf files is required;
  • Technical skills in production, editing, and ability to write quickly, clearly and concisely in English;
  • Ability to adhere to tight deadlines and respond to all communications from IEO.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Academic Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree preferably in public administration, public policy, political or social science, international studies or related field; or
  • Bachelor's degree can be substituted in lieu of Masters with 10 additional years of experience.

Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in editing, writing, proofreading, including significant experience with print publications and technical documents in the areas of international development is required;
  • Proven record of edited reports, publications or technical documents;
  • Experience in publication/report writing and editing for a UN agency and/or other international organizations is required; and 
  • Experience in professional editing in the area of audit, evaluation, international development or public sector is required.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

  • Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest form including a financial proposal within the form.  The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee. The form can be downloaded from: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780;
  • Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to). If using a P11 it can be downloaded from: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;
  • At least three (3) professional references with emails and telephone numbers.
  • 3 samples of latest work demonstrating the writing and editing experience as required by this term of reference. (Provide only URL/web links of documents)

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document. The website does not allow upload of multiple documents.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

  • The financial proposal should specify the daily fee based on an 8 hour workday in the confirmation of interest form as outlined under the “application procedure”. The fee should incorporate the scope of work IEO seeks which is outlined in the Terms of Reference.
  • This consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.  
  • In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and the contractor, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

Applicants are reviewed based on required skills and experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Only candidates that meet a passing score of 70% for the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation (30%).  Then, both technical and financial points will be added.  The award of the contract(s) will be issued to the top 10 highest scorer(s).

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (40 points):

  • Criteria 1.  Demonstrable experience (at least 10 years) with writing, editing, and proofreading of reports, publications and technical documents Maximum Points: (10 points);
  • Criteria 2. Prior editorial experience on reports, publications, annual reports and other technical documents with the UN and/or other development agencies Maximum Points: (10 points);
  • Criteria 3: Experience with a wide range of editorial content development, including publications/reports, featuring content on evaluation, audit, and/or global development topics. Maximum Points: (10 points); and
  • Criteria 4: Quality of writing and editing samples. Maximum Points: (10 points).

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (28 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (40 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30%: 

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