Consultant for Editing Ages of Consent Briefs

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a UN agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, focusing on ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfill their potential. The organization aims to eradicate gender-based violence and harmful practices, protect women from preventable maternal deaths, and enable individuals to make informed choices about family planning. UNFPA's mission is to promote gender equality and empower young people, particularly through initiatives like the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme, which has been active since 2013 in 11 Southern African countries, addressing issues such as early marriage, gender-based violence, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Job Overview:
The primary function of this consultancy is to technically edit the ages of consent briefs, ensuring that the content is accurate, clear, and adheres to high standards of written communication. The consultant will work closely with the Communications Analyst and the Programme Specialist for Innovation and Youth Development, providing regular updates and ensuring that the editing process aligns with the UNFPA Editorial Style Guide. The consultant will be responsible for verifying the fidelity of the text and recommendations against international human rights standards, ensuring that the publications are free of errors and maintain clarity and coherence. The editing process is expected to be completed within a two-week timeframe, with a deadline set for December 8, 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Editing the ages of consent briefs to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to the UNFPA Editorial Style Guide.
• Conducting thorough checks for grammatical errors, ensuring correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling throughout the documents.
• Verifying that all citations and references are accurate and correctly formatted according to UN standards.
• Proposing editorial changes to enhance readability and coherence, while eliminating any discriminatory language.
• Ensuring proper organization and formatting of the documents, including chapter titles, sections, and subsections.
• Conducting desk research as needed to verify information and ensure the accuracy of content.
• Providing a list of proposed changes and maintaining clear communication with the UNFPA team throughout the editing process.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completed Master’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience as an editor or proofreader at either the national or international level. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with 9 years of experience is acceptable. Experience in editing legal documents, case reports, or policy documents, particularly for United Nations agencies or intergovernmental organizations, is essential. A strong understanding of international human rights standards terminology and concepts is also required. Additionally, candidates must submit at least 6 samples of relevant previous work with their application.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as communications, international relations, law, or a related discipline. A Bachelor's degree may be considered if accompanied by significant relevant experience in editing and proofreading.

Experience:
The position requires extensive experience in editing and proofreading, specifically a minimum of 7 years for candidates with a Master’s degree or 9 years for those with a Bachelor's degree. Experience should include working with legal documents and policy papers, particularly in contexts related to international human rights and sexual and reproductive health.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory, with fluency required for effective communication and editing. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is expected to be completed within a two-week timeframe, with a start date as soon as possible and a final deadline of December 8, 202

• The consultant will work remotely and must provide their own equipment. The position is open to individuals from diverse backgrounds, and UNFPA encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.