English Copy Editor (Retainer)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda aimed at enhancing gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, working with various stakeholders including governments, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector to address gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect, and ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs.

Job Overview:
The position of English Copy Editor at UN Women is a consultancy role focused on providing editorial services for UN Women publications. The consultant will work on a retainer basis, meaning they will be engaged as needed rather than on a full-time basis. The primary responsibilities include proofreading and editing documents related to UN Women’s programs and communications for both internal and external audiences. The consultant will ensure that all materials adhere to the UN editorial style manual and the UN Women Editorial Style Guide. This role requires a high level of attention to detail, as the copy editor will be responsible for maintaining clarity, consistency, and correctness in the use of terminology and language throughout various documents. The consultant will also need to have their own technical and software-based equipment to perform the required tasks effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The copy editor will perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to: providing editing, proofreading, and rewriting services for knowledge products and publications; making necessary revisions based on the UN editorial style manual and UN Women Editorial Style Guide; copyediting and proofreading documents to identify gaps in information; restructuring and rewriting content in collaboration with UN Women; correcting spelling mistakes and ensuring proper grammar and syntax; ensuring consistent style and formatting throughout documents; maintaining the authors’ writing style while ensuring correct use of English; ensuring coherence and consistency in writing; managing the positioning and numbering of boxes, figures, and tables; ensuring consistent font usage; verifying the completeness and consistency of footnotes, sources, and references; reviewing annexes according to UN publication guidelines; preparing tables of contents and acronyms as needed; and proofreading designed layout files to ensure completeness.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree in English Literature, Journalism, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires at least 5 years of professional work experience in editing, copyediting, and proofreading for those with a Master’s degree, and at least 7 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. A proven track record in editing knowledge products and communications materials for external audiences is essential, including reports, publications, news articles, feature stories, policy briefs, and advocacy notes. Experience in writing and editing for international development or UN agency documents is considered an asset, and familiarity with gender equality and women’s issues is desired.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s Degree in English Literature, Journalism, or a related field. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience to be considered for the role. This educational foundation is crucial for ensuring that the consultant possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to perform high-quality editing and proofreading tasks effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically at least 5 years of professional work experience in editing, copyediting, and proofreading for candidates with a Master’s degree. For those with a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required. This experience should include a proven record of editing knowledge products and communications materials aimed at external audiences, which is critical for the role.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is native-level proficiency in both oral and written English. This proficiency is essential for ensuring that the consultant can effectively edit and proofread documents to meet the high standards expected by UN Women. While English is the primary language required, additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly stated as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy role is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work location. The duration of the assignment is estimated at a maximum of 100 working days, and the consultant will be engaged under a retainer contract. This means that the consultant will be called upon as needed, and UN Women is not obligated to purchase a minimum quantity of services. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables, and the consultant's performance will be evaluated based on various criteria including timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of work. UN Women emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs.