The Lebanese Working Group on Palestinian Refugees, which became later known as the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC), was created in November 2005 by the Council of Ministers, in response to the goal set by the Government of Lebanon (GoL) to improve the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The current project – Support the implementation of LPDC Strategic Plan, phase 1 -  seeks to strengthen the capacity of the LPDC (2020-2023) enabling the Government of Lebanon (GoL) to set up a comprehensive policy on the Palestinian refugee issues, with a view to improving their living conditions.

Project components include:

• Output 1: Strengthen Dialogue facilitation and conflict prevention capacity;
• Output 2: Support Legislative Reform agenda;
• Output 3: Strengthen strategic Communication and Coordination roles;
• Output 4: Increase Policy research capabilities;

The project works on a quarterly published supplement “Jousour” that was established in 2018 to introduce the Lebanese and Palestinian public opinion to the importance of examining the problematic and complex difficulties of the intercommunal relations. The project collaborates with many writers/journalists, photographers, visual artists, and have previously published 5 issues of Jousour. LPDC plans to publish 4 news supplements in 2021 according to the following schedule

In this context, UNDP requires the services of an “Editor-in-Chief” for Jousour to support the LPDC project in manage and oversee the content for the coming issues.

The Editor-Chief of Jousour will perform the following tasks:

1. Content Planning and Making Decisions on Appropriateness for Publication

• Develop the Journal issuance plan (identify topics, focus themes, special features).
• Identify potential written materials and contributors. Exchange letters with shortlisted writers. Liaise with writers to develop articles and manuscripts, questions, and focus.
• Review the graphic and written materials, including the provision of comments and edits for accuracy, grammar, and style.
• Make timely editorial decisions and communicate them clearly.
• Ensure the quality of the Jousour news supplement: correct errors; differentiate different types of content, such as reports of original data, opinion pieces.
• Liaise with Editorial Board and LPDC to finalize the Jousour issue plan. Plan meeting of the Editorial Board
• Find new ways to reach different audiences in Lebanon.
• Define new creative ways to expand Jousour’s content.

1. Editing Technical Support for Jousour:

• Provide editorial guidelines to authors for preparing and submitting manuscripts. Ensure the tone of voice for Jousour in line with the project objectives. Provide guidelines to Jousour news supplement team and authors for preparing and submitting manuscripts.
• Develop a Jousour policy on authorship and intellectual property.
• Develop a Jousour policy on conflict of interest according to the UNDP core principles and policies for all involved in the publication process, including editors, staff (e.g., editorial and sales), authors, and reviewers.

1. Project activities management to ensure timely publication and distribution of the supplement in line with the publication schedule specified in part 1

• Manage the timely delivery by the supplement production team (linguistic editors, graphic designers, writers, and print house). Develop mechanisms, in cooperation with the publisher, to ensure timely publication of accepted manuscripts.
• Support project manager in the financial aspects of the publication’s content. This includes finding new and innovative ways to utilize funding to gain a broader readership.
• Develop the logistical implementation for the 3 issues of “Jousour” Supplement in both Arabic and English versions.
• Facilitate public discussions with the Jousour contributors. Collect the feedback from the discussion for the future improvement of content.
• Update Jousour communication channels: Website, social media tools (Facebook page, twitter)

The Editor-Chief of Jousour will perform the following tasks:

1. Content Planning and Making Decisions on Appropriateness for Publication

• Develop the Journal issuance plan (identify topics, focus themes, special features).
• Identify potential written materials and contributors. Exchange letters with shortlisted writers. Liaise with writers to develop articles and manuscripts, questions, and focus.
• Review the graphic and written materials, including the provision of comments and edits for accuracy, grammar, and style.
• Make timely editorial decisions and communicate them clearly.
• Ensure the quality of the Jousour news supplement: correct errors; differentiate different types of content, such as reports of original data, opinion pieces.
• Liaise with Editorial Board and LPDC to finalize the Jousour issue plan. Plan meeting of the Editorial Board
• Find new ways to reach different audiences in Lebanon.
• Define new creative ways to expand Jousour’s content.

1. Editing Technical Support for Jousour:

• Provide editorial guidelines to authors for preparing and submitting manuscripts. Ensure the tone of voice for Jousour in line with the project objectives. Provide guidelines to Jousour news supplement team and authors for preparing and submitting manuscripts.
• Develop a Jousour policy on authorship and intellectual property.
• Develop a Jousour policy on conflict of interest according to the UNDP core principles and policies for all involved in the publication process, including editors, staff (e.g., editorial and sales), authors, and reviewers.

1. Project activities management to ensure timely publication and distribution of the supplement in line with the publication schedule specified in part 1

• Manage the timely delivery by the supplement production team (linguistic editors, graphic designers, writers, and print house). Develop mechanisms, in cooperation with the publisher, to ensure timely publication of accepted manuscripts.
• Support project manager in the financial aspects of the publication’s content. This includes finding new and innovative ways to utilize funding to gain a broader readership.
• Develop the logistical implementation for the 3 issues of “Jousour” Supplement in both Arabic and English versions.
• Facilitate public discussions with the Jousour contributors. Collect the feedback from the discussion for the future improvement of content.
• Update Jousour communication channels: Website, social media tools (Facebook page, twitter).

For additional information, please refer to ANNEX I – Terms of Reference

Functional Competencies:

• Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory; Fluency in French is desirable.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills;
• Responds positively and efficiently to feedback;
• Ability to handle a large volume of work in an effective and timely manner

Corporate Competencies:

• Proven written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English,
• Good Understanding of the International Human Rights Framework,
• Proficiency in Content Management and Editing

Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, or marketing

Years of Experience:

• years of working experience as a writer/Editor in newspapers,
• years of experience working on refugees’ issues in Lebanon,
• Demonstrated experience in writing articles and/or professional publications (examples to be submitted along with the CV)
• Previous experience working for the organization of the United Nations family is an asset
• Previous experience in writing and/or editing communications materials and newspaper articles on Palestinian refugees issues is an asset
• Solid experience on writing on issues related Palestinian issues

How to Apply:

The consultancy is open for all national and international consultants who meet the selection criteria and propose a competitive fee. Interested consultants are requested to apply only through this UNDP jobs portal.
Submissions through any other media will not be considered.
The application must include all of the following documents:
1. P11
2. Annex 3 (Offerors Letter) and
3. Financial proposal
 

All files shall be submitted in one single document and uploaded as word or PDF file to the UNDP job site.
It has been observed that bidders don’t submit all requested documents and thus reducing their chance to be selected for a contract with UNDP. before you submit your offer please revise that the application is complete and comprises all documents.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.