Consultant/PSA for Technical Writing and Editing

Job Posting Organization:
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement focused on plant health, with over 180 contracting parties. Its mission is to protect cultivated and wild plants globally by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC was approved by the FAO Conference and operates under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The IPPC Secretariat, hosted by FAO, is responsible for implementing the Convention and developing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). Additionally, the IPPC is the implementing organization for the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) and the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) in collaboration with FAO.

Job Overview:
The position involves working under the supervision of the Integration and Support Team (IST) Lead, closely collaborating with the IST Communications Specialist and communication focal points of the IPPC Secretariat. The incumbent will be responsible for copy-editing and proofreading various publications and documents, as well as writing reports. Key functions include pre-drafting reports for IPPC-related meetings, managing report-writing processes, coordinating review processes, maintaining the IPPC style guide, and providing editorial support to enhance the readability of IPPC materials. The role requires adherence to FAO and IPPC publication style guidelines and compliance with FAO standards for communication materials.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of tasks including: pre-drafting reports of IPPC-related meetings based on meeting documents; managing the report-writing processes for IPPC Governing and Subsidiary Body meetings; coordinating review processes to ensure reports are reviewed by relevant IPPC officers; maintaining and updating the IPPC style guide; providing editorial support for various IPPC materials; applying FAO and IPPC publication style guidelines; ensuring adherence to FAO/IPPC templates and layouts; and liaising with the Office of Communications and Compliance (OCC) to ensure compliance with standards and guidelines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: For Consultants, an advanced university degree in agriculture, languages, journalism, communication, social science, business administration, or a related field is required. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. For PSAs, a university degree in the same fields is required. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of progressive experience in technical writing, editing, and rapporteurship within an international development context, along with a proven track record of synthesizing complex discussions into concise meeting reports or briefing notes. Full proficiency in English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as agriculture, languages, journalism, communication, social science, or business administration. For those applying as PSAs, a university degree in these fields is sufficient. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must also have additional professional experience to qualify.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 3 years of progressive experience in technical writing, editing, and rapporteurship, particularly within an international development context. Experience attending high-level technical meetings and synthesizing discussions into accurate reports is essential. The role also requires familiarity with phytosanitary measures, biosecurity, or the WTO-SPS Agreement, as well as an understanding of FAO/UN policies and operational frameworks.

Languages:
Full proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. While not explicitly stated, knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial and could enhance a candidate's profile, especially in a multicultural work environment.

Additional Notes:
The job is remote, allowing for flexibility in work hours and location. The position may involve working with teams across different time zones, requiring adaptability. Specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, and compensation are not provided in the job description.