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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope.

Consultancy Title: Writing and editing consultancy.

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Data, Analytics, Planning, and Monitoring, Strategic Planning and Corporate Analysis, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: December 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

About UNICEF 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

In 2025, UNICEF is releasing two flagship documents, including the Organization’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2029/30 and the Executive Director’s Annual Report. The UNICEF Executive Director’s Annual report for 2024 as well as a draft of the forthcoming UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026-2029/30 will be presented for review at the Annual Session of the Executive Board in June 2025; the final draft of the Strategic Plan will be submitted for consideration and endorsement by the Executive Board at the Second Regular Session in September 2025.

The Strategic Planning and Corporate Analysis (SPCA) unit within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning, and Monitoring (DAPM) is leading preparation of the two flagship document suites. The team is seeking for professional support in drafting and editing of the respective materials in compliance with the UNICEF style, including highest quality editorial and communication standards, and in line with the submission timelines.

Under direct supervision of the Chief of Strategic Planning and Corporate Analysis, the consultant will act as a core member of the SPCA team and will be closely involved in the development of the SP and EDAR document packages. As a writer and editor, the consultant will engage in synthesizing information from multiple sources, collaborating with contributing organizational units, and drafting and editing of the documents. The consultant will also work on drafting and editing of UNICEF other corporate documents related to the Strategic Plan in the course of 2025.

Scope of Work:

UNICEF will present its Executive Director’s Annual Report and annexes with the results of the implementation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and Integrated Budget to the Executive Board at its Annual Session in June 2025. Based on texts and technical inputs received from organizational units, and in close consultation with the supervisor, the consultant will work on drafting and editing of the UNICEF’s Executive Director’s Annual Report for 2024. The latest 2023 Annual Report can be found here.

The consultant will support development of the Strategic Plan 2026-2029/30 package, including SP document and Theory of Change, and other documents that are necessary. The current Strategic Plan document can be found here.

During the year, the consultant will provide support to editing and/or writing of other SP related documents and reports, including GRP annual report. 

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Draft and edit 2024 EDAR report. Final draft of 2024 EDAR.

Deadline: 30 April 2025

Draft and edit Strategic Plan 2026-2029/30 package, including SP document and Theory of Change. Final draft of Strategic Plan 2026-2029/30 package, including all the documents necessary to go to the UNICEF Board.

Deadline: 31 July 2025

Draft and edit other Strategic Plan related documents and reports, including GRP  Final draft of Strategic. Plan related documents and reports.

Deadline: 31 December 2025

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Bachelors) in the area of economics, liberal arts, political science, public policy, social science, or related degree.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communication, Public Relations, Media, Journalism, Liberal Arts or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience of writing and/or editing in English.
• Experience in UNICEF Strategic Plan or equivalent in other international organization is an asset.
• Required: Excellent command of the English language and an eye for detail, should be able to make text succinct and persuasive and have high standards for effective written communication.
• Languages: Ability to write and speak English fluently is required.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.