Long-term agreement for the engagement of professional writing, editing, and proofreading services

Overview

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Protection

Background / Rationale

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote the survival, protection and development of children, young people, and women. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence and exploitation. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments.

The UNICEF Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in accordance with UNICEF Strategic Plan and the Core Commitments to Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads efforts to ensure that UNICEF’s role in any emergency situation – complex, protracted, or sudden-onset – is clearly defined, that the Organization is properly equipped to fulfill that role, and that all levels of the Organization are prepared to deliver our mandate.

EMOPS Director’s Office oversees the production of corporate products such as the Humanitarian Action for Children appeal, the EMOPS end-year summary narrative, the Global Annual Results Report on Humanitarian Action, the Executive Board papers on humanitarian action, briefing and strategic notes and a set of country profiles, which require support writing, editing, copyediting and proofreading per UNICEF’s standards and style.

Purpose of Assignment

UNICEF is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals with relevant qualifications and experience in professional writing, editing and proofreading services to support UNICEF Offices globally. The consultancy will be fully remote.

Programme Area and Specific Project Area

UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programmes is seeking to identify a writer / editor consultant to undertake writing, editing, reviewing services of several UNICEF humanitarian products. The consultant will write research / technical documents, edit specialized documents on a broad range of subjects in humanitarian action, such as emergency preparedness and response; humanitarian access, principled humanitarian assistance and protection for children; accountability to affected population; humanitarian coordination; and humanitarian and development nexus. The services will involve developing technical materials such as reports, research, strategy documents, case studies, briefing notes, various knowledge products. The consultant will provide editorial support (editing, copy-editing, proofreading) for all these products, and will perform editing after receiving raw documents and inputs from UNICEF Headquarters, Regional Offices or Country Offices, writing documents according to the assigned purpose (technical, strategic or advocacy materials). This entails summarizing large and complex knowledge products into bite-sized products.

Objective(s)

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNICEF will hire consultants as required to deliver on a comprehensive range of writing and editing services to UNICEF Offices globally. Under the coordination of the EMOPS Director Office, the selected individuals shall undertake one or all of the following tasks: writing, rewriting, and editing of EMOPS humanitarian products, including:

• Humanitarian Action for Children appeal
• Executive board papers on UNICEF humanitarian action (one paper for the EB first regular session in February and another for the EB annual session in June)
• EMOPS Summary Narrative (Annual Report)
• Briefing, strategic notes and country profiles
• Presentations

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks. The exact deliverables will be based upon mutual agreement between UNICEF and the consultant.

Responsibilities of the Consultant :

• The consultant will use their own equipment, including laptops, microphones, software and other accessories required for the task.
• The consultant will not share content or material with third parties without written permission of UNICEF. All components will be the property of UNICEF.
• The consultant will not put their own name or logo on the content/final product.
• The only organization branding will be UNICEF, if required.
• When travel is required: the consultant is responsible for arranging their own travel.

Responsibilities of UNICEF :

• Provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements.
• Orient the Consultant on UNICEF branding guidelines.
• Describe the methods, practices, and approaches that guide UNICEF’s project approaches.
• When travel is required: the hiring office is responsible for setting a reasonable travel budget and reimbursing the consultant per contracted terms.

Deliverables

Writing, editing, copy-editing and proofreading services for reports, publications and digital products following UNICEF Brand guidelines and Style Book. Initial drafts followed by revisions based on technical review and fact-checking. Word counts to be provided.

Editing: reports and publications for clarity, readability and consistency; including potential rewriting, deletions, and restructuring for readability; final read-through and track changes from technical review.

Copy-editing: adherence to UNICEF Style Book, grammar, terminology, and UN references; correct formatting and front/back matter.

Proofreading: page design checks, cross-references, and consistency across materials.

Note : UNICEF will award an LTA to the top ranked candidate overall.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in a typical ratio (for example 80:20). Criteria include:

• Cover Letter – motivation and fit for the role
• Educational qualifications
• Relevant work experience
• Work samples – three examples relevant to the TOR

Financials will follow a separate template. The minimum overall qualifying score must be met to be considered technically responsive.

Financial Proposal

Include your financial proposal separately, indicating daily professional fee and estimate of days per category. All costs in USD. The financial proposal must be uploaded as a separate document.

Submission

Applications are to be submitted online. Deadline is midnight Eastern Time 3 October 2025. Attachments: (i) Cover letter, (ii) Three work samples with a brief description of your role, (iii) Financial proposal. Incomplete applications will be invalid.

Other Information

Optional eligibility notes, terms and conditions, and standard UNICEF safeguarding and diversity statements are maintained within the original content. UNICEF policies include non-discrimination and reasonable accommodations during recruitment. UNICEF may require background and credential checks. All positions require medical clearance and visa considerations as applicable. UNICEF does not charge a recruitment fee. All candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, nationality, religion or disability status. Flexible working hours to accommodate time zones are encouraged where possible.

Remarks: As per UNICEF policy, the paramount consideration is efficiency, competence, and integrity. UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative workforce and to safeguarding children.