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Technical Writer/Editor (Retainer), Multiple positions

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Translations and Languages
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Documentation and Information Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) is a global, multi-stakeholder membership and partnership organization that advocates for improved sanitation and hygiene for the most vulnerable and marginalized people around the world. With the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/45/181, WSSCC was established in 1990 to intensify “the coordination of national activities undertaken with the assistance of all relevant agencies in the field of water supply and sanitation.”

The WSSCC Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and located in Geneva, Switzerland. WSSCC enhances national efforts through the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) to help rural communities improve their sanitation and adopt good hygiene practices in countries such as Benin, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda. In India, WSSCC is providing assistance through its India Support Unit as an accredited Key Resource Centre for capacity building and learning. In the rest of the countries, National Coordinators assume a pivotal role in representing WSSCC and ensuring that appropriate amplification and integration take place across various interventions supported by the Council. The GSF also appoints an Executing Agency (EA) to administer the grant in these countries and each EA makes sub-grants to non-government organizations, private sector and local governments to implement its programmes.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Corporate Communications and Advocacy and working closely with WSSCC’s communications team, the technical writer/editor will be responsible for developing and executing communication materials based on audience research, message framework, and core content to increase the visibility, knowledge and impact of WSSCC and its work. The position will support WSSCC’s content generation capacity to put a human face on the issues related to sanitation and hygiene and promote WSSCC’s role in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6.2.

In particular, the consultant will showcase how WSSCC and its partners are carrying out their activities to “leave no one behind” and concretize its new strategic goals into clear, engaging and inspirational articles.

The consultant will also be involved in the production and dissemination of WSSCC’s publications and relevant outreach materials with a view to increase global knowledge on WASH, women and girls’ access to services, recent policy developments and more broadly the sustainable development goals.

Functional Responsibilities

  • Write news, feature stories and profile pieces for WSSCC’s website and other digital platforms to raise visibility of sanitation and hygiene, and its achievements;
  • Identify and research necessary story ideas and news subjects, and conduct interviews to produce such stories;
  • Write op-ed pieces and any other creative writing needs as deemed necessary during the consultancy period;
  • Review draft articles and other technical reports for quality and ensure that content is appropriate, relevant, up to date;
  • Correct any grammatical errors, fix writing style and format, edit and fact-check documents;
  • Take high-quality photographs and film videos to capture WSSCC’s interventions;
  • Liaise with the Corporate Communications and Media Unit to respond to its production needs;
  • Travel, when needed, to WSSCC-supported countries to cover stories and events supported by its partners;
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Corporate Communications and Advocacy

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

  • Advanced University degree in journalism, marketing, social science, communication or a related field.
  • A bachelor's degree with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted  in lieu of the master's degree.
Experience 

Minimum seven years of relevant professional experience in writing and editing or related areas is required. 
Language 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset. 

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. 
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional competencies

  • Experience in journalism to develop compelling content and generate response from audiences online;
  • Experience with writing and editing of publications addressing technical subjects linked to the sustainable development goals;
  • Experience working on scientific publications;
  • Demonstrated ability to write clear, articulated correspondence and communicate well (written and oral);
  • Basic research and analytical skills; 
  • Ability to take quality photographs and basic photo editing skills;
  • Ability to film videos and basic video editing skills;
  • Demonstrated experience in maintaining social media accounts, especially Facebook and Twitter, as well as experience with new media executions, preferably with a development organization;
  • Knowledge and understanding of local and global digital landscape and trends;
  • Experience with graphic design, ability to create designs for digital media purposes in open source graphic design programmes;
  • Experience and/or strong knowledge on menstrual hygiene management is an asset;
  • Ability to integrate PR/communication initiatives with social media

Contract type, level and duration

  • Contract type: International Contractor Agreement
  • Contract level: Level 2
  • Contract duration: One Year (Up to 60 working days) initially with a possibility of extension   
Note that the fees under this contract are liable to income tax.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.


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