Contract
Description
The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.
In response to the combination these threats involve the Programme supports national efforts to improve service delivery in the key areas of: child health and nutrition and HIV and AIDS, quality basic education, water, sanitation and hygiene education, child protection and social policy, advocacy and communication.
To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Zambia, please visit https://www.unicef.org/zambia/.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the Consultancy: To aid the Zambia Country Office with production of human interest stories and articles for communications, visibility and advocacy purposes.
Background
Each year, UNICEF Zambia produces information products, publications and multimedia materials for office and external use. UNICEF places high value on quality communication products to achieve the most impact for children and to advocate for child rights throughout the world. Communication products are key to increasing UNICEF’s visibility, particularly with regard to communicating with the government of the Republic of Zambia and key partners for the continuation of programmes and plans. It is for these reasons that UNICEF Zambia is planning to establish a long-term agreement with a writer capable of providing quality writing to support the Zambia country office’s programmes and operations. The successful candidate will provide technical support to the Communications section by traveling to the field to document the work of UNICEF and UNICEF affiliated programmes, contributing to written work, displaying excellent journalistic prowess and a superb command of the English language, including powerful storytelling and expert use of data. The successful candidate will be responsible for the timely delivery of human interest stories and articles and will adhere to UNICEF’s guidelines regarding Do No Harm when on-duty for the Zambia country office.
Justification
The UNICEF Zambia country office requires a competent and readily available writer to document programme developments countrywide, in order to efficiently communicate with donors, partners and the public at large. Communication products are key to highlighting the work of UNICEF Zambia and maintaining donor and partner relationships. As such, an expert in content writing and production is key to maintaining the high quality of writing and editing of already existing material and it is for this reason that ZCO would like to enlist the services of a skilled professional to produce content. Establishing a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) will assure timely provision of writing services as and when required. This consultancy is not full time, rather the writer will be called upon if required.
The objectives :
The purpose of this LTA is to provide the Zambia country office with writing for communication and advocacy purposes if and when required.
The objectives of the LTA are:
- Produce human interest stories, blogs and articles in line with UNICEF programmes, as well as contribute to publications, research and multimedia products.
- Travel and document developments in UNICEF programmes nationwide.
- Write and copyedit for various sections of the Zambia country office.
- Provide the UNICEF Zambia country office with writing and information in a timely and organized manner.
The proposal is to enter into a long-term arrangement with a qualified writer. This is not a full time position, the writer will be called on only when relevant work arises. The consultant will be paid per assignment completed.
The contract will outline rates for specific tasks, as well as the consultant’s day-rate, which will then inform payment. The contract will not be exclusive: UNICEF has the ability to use writers outside of the LTA if required.
Description of the assignment (Scope of work) / SPECIFIC TASKS
The type of support required by the writer will depend on the type of product being developed. The writer will consult with the specific programme section with regard to the aims and objectives of each assignment. It is expected that the writer will complement the section in question and closely liaise with a designated UNICEF focal point from the outset of each assignment to ensure that the final product is satisfactory.
Under the guidance of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy, Partnerships and Engagement (CAPE), the writer/editor will work closely with section colleagues, particularly CAPE to produce:
– Researched written content in a readable and appealing style based on field work, and background research.
– Improved copy-edited documents (provided by UNICEF)
The writer is also expected to:
– Provide recommendations for infographics, charts and presentation notes for the graphic designer
– Meet all deadlines, conduct herself/himself in a professional and respect the mission of UNICEF
– Submit polished and final drafts, professionally presented in high quality
– Be available and responsive to various rounds of edits
– Adhere to all ethical standards and consideration of reporting on vulnerable children, mothers and beneficiaries
Detailed specifications for each individual assignment will be given to the selected writer as and when the writer’s services are requested.
Expected Deliverables
- Editing of existing writing and documents.
- Travel to the field to collect material for fresh human-interest stories, blogs and articles, and write up.
- Document UNICEF programmes and write up.
- Contribute to UNICEF publications, research and other written work as and when required.
- The ability to take useable photographs (using own equipment) would be a bonus.
PROJECT Management
Long-Term Agreement contract will be managed by Chief of CAPE in close coordination with respective programme sections and Human Resources.
LOCATION AND DURATION
Location: Physical presence in Zambia is required. Consultant will be expected to travel throughout Zambia for work.
Duration: Long-Term Agreement is proposed for 11.5 months with the possibility of an extension, based on satisfactory performance and market situation.
Payment schedule
- Fees will be paid on submission of an invoice for days of work and acceptance of delivered services.
- The writer will be expected to provide own equipment, work from home or in the field, with occasional meetings in UNICEF office in Lusaka.
- The writer will cover related communication costs (Internet access/email)
- For project site visits, UNICEF Zambia will cover in-country transportation. DSA will be part of the agreed contract as agreed with the consultant.
- The writer will be required to sign the necessary health statements for consultant/individual contractors prior to taking up the assignments and to document that they have appropriate health insurance.
- Travel days, i.e. days with no writing work but simply transportation to and from the site of interviews/research will be paid at 50% of the day rate.
In the event of non-satisfactory written products provided, UNICEF shall withhold payment.
For every Child, you poses...
- University degree in communication studies, journalism, social sciences or a related arts and humanities field;
- Additional training in proofreading and editorial writing an asset;
- Minimum of 3 years of proven work experience in professional writing and editing reports and other communication materials (including human interest stories, advocacy Books, brochures, concept notes and proposals) in English;
- Work experience with UNICEF or other UN agency is an asset;
- Strong knowledge and understanding of the international development environment and related reporting styles and requirements;
- Good written and communication skills;
- Computer proficiency;
- Ability to work with teams and independently to meet tight deadlines to deliver quality products on time;
- Good interpersonal skills, including initiative, flexibility and patience.
Requirements
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