Long Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Writers – Editors (Local – Uzbek/Russian) and Writer – Editor (International Consultancy – Native English)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, visibility!

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF Uzbekistan creates advocacy messages, publications, reports, etc. to mobilize the support of decision makers and the public for children across Uzbekistan. Producing compelling and creative digital content contributes directly to achieving priority advocacy and communication objectives for the organization. Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, our content brings attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s work, encouraging public support, participation, and action, while ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

By measuring and testing our efforts, we use data to inform content strategies and drive innovation.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To meet these requirements, UNICEF would like to engage the services of highly creative and professional writers and editors to document UNICEF activities and programmes for multiple online audiences such as the general public, donors, supporters and partners.

PROGRAMME AREA AND SPECIFIC PROJECT AREA

Experienced writers and editors to provide good quality professional services according to UNICEF global standards to support documentation and reporting of issues, human-interest stories related to the implementation of Country Program of Cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNICEF in 2024-2026 to all Programme areas.

OBJECTIVE(S)

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which the UNICEF Uzbekistan will hire professionals as required for specific projects to develop advocacy, communication, campaign and humanitarian emergency materials that demonstrate UNICEF’s activities in the field to raise awareness.

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

Successful consultants must provide writing, editing/proofreading services to produce quality communication, visibility and advocacy products including programme reports, case studies/documenting, human interest stories, articles, fact sheets and other documents related to the implementation of the Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNICEF in 2024-2026.

Tasks include, but may not be limited to:

• Event coverage stories, news and other materials for UNICEF web site (250-800 words): (first draft in 2-3 days)
• Human interest stories or media articles (500-1,500 words): (first draft in 3-5 days)
• Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects in (1,500-8,000 words): (first draft in 3-5 days)
• Publications, briefing kits etc: (Timeline can vary depending on the quantity of content. Consultant will deliver in agreed time with supervisor before being assigned)- Be available for several rounds of editing
• Deliver on tight, short timelines as needed
• Articles/stories/reports should meet UNICEF quality standards and guidelines concerning length, style, and format.
• The consultant will incorporate the comments and suggestions by UNICEF. Timelines for subsequent drafts and final versions will be agreed with the supervisor as UNICEF’s comments must be addressed.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

• The consultants will use their own equipment; laptop, software and other accessories and software that may be required for this task.
• The consultant will not give the content/material or any part thereof, to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will be the property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share the same with anyone else.
• The consultant will not put their own name or logo/emblem on the content / final product. The only organization branding will be UNICEF, if required.
• Consultants may be required to work on Saturdays and Sundays, based on assignment requirements.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

• UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements
• UNICEF will orient the consultant on UNICEF’s branding and production guidelines

DELIVERABLES:

Type of services – Writing and Editing

1. Human interest stories or media articles – Write digital content media as required, including project factsheets, webpages, stories of change, and knowledge products such as forewords, prefaces, etc.
2. Reports of UNICEF supported events/workshops/projects – Proofread layout files, including checking spelling, country, and city names and acronyms and other abbreviations (making sure that they follow official UNICEF terminology and conventions), style consistency, callouts, layout problems, references, etc. Write, edit and finalize crisp, concise, text for all documents.
3. Publications, briefing kits, etc – Review, edit, and consolidate material for knowledge products, ensuring clarity and continuity of the argument and clarity of structure and core themes.

TRAVEL:

Payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging, etc. should be agreed upon, between UNICEF and the consultant as part of the quotation for each specific assignment and included in the respective purchase order. All air travel will be by economy class irrespective of the duration of travel. Travel expenses will be reimbursed as and when they take place in accordance with UNICEF rules and regulations.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA:

Twenty-four (24) months with optional extension of twelve (12) months (36 months in total)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Writer – Editor (Local Consultancy)

• At least 3 years’ experience of writing stories, articles, features, human interest stories or reports on social issues for public audiences in Russian, Uzbek or Karakalpak preferably in a media or development environment. Experience as a writer-editor is essential.
• Perfect, professional fluency in written and spoken Uzbek and/or Russian, Karakalpak.
• Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is an asset.
• Basic knowledge of English is an advantage.

Writer – Editor (International Consultancy)

• At least 3 years’ experience of writing stories, articles, features, human interest stories or reports on social issues for public audiences in English preferably in a media or development environment.
• Experience as a writer-editor is essential.
• Perfect, professional fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience of working with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is an asset.

Note: Candidates are free to apply to any category based on their qualifications and experience. They can also apply for multiple categories or all of them. UNICEF will award LTA to top ranked 10 (ten) candidates under each category. A candidate may be awarded LTA for one or more than one category.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Consultants (writer and editor) are expected to submit their proposal in line with the provided template in the announcement. Please note that no additional cost will be accepted such as equipment rental expense, memory cards and/or batteries. Travel fees will be reimbursed as and when they take place in accordance with UNICEF rules and regulations.

Financial Bid – Writer and Editor Services on LTA is attached 

new Financial Bid – Uzbek – Russian Writer – Editor on LTA.docx

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The LTA to be signed will have a fixed fee rate for three years (should there be a change in the UN establishment common rates for translation services, the variation agreement is signed). However, UNICEF in Uzbekistan does not warrant that any quantity of services will be purchased during the term of the LTA as this will depend on forthcoming needs.

CONTRACTS CREATED AGAINST THE LTA

Whenever writer and editor services are required, details of the requirement/deliverables including quantities and deadlines will be presented to the top-ranking LTA holder. Should this consultant not be available for this assignment, UNICEF in Uzbekistan will contact the second ranked consultant and so on, while ensuring

Upon receipt of confirmation of availability and interest in the assignment, a contract will be issued with the prices/fees agreed in the LTA. The consultant must sign the contract prior commencement of work.

Payment will be made after completion of deliverables and submission of invoices for the actual work completed, subject to satisfactory performance.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications to be submitted through the online TMS portal should contain four separate attachments:

• A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online)
• Three Work Samples or Portfolio –It is critical to submit work samples as you will observe from the advertisement that marks have been assigned to these criteria for arriving at the most suitable candidate (to be uploaded online)
• A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the attached template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving (to be uploaded under other supporting documents).

Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark “N/A or 00”, under the fee related questions in the online application form. Financial proposal should be attached using the provided template in the announcement.

Without all the above 4 documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note that UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• Female candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.

LTA CONTRACT MANAGER: Chief of Communication, UNICEF Uzbekistan

IDENTIFICATION OF RISKS AND PLAN FOR MITIGATION: Consultants will be paid upon deliverables.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

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