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, answers

UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight tackles the current and emerging questions of greatest importance for children. It drives change through research and foresight on a wide range of child rights issues, sparking global discourse and actively engaging young people.
UNICEF Innocenti produces web content and PDF publications. The office produces more than 100 written and visual products a year, including the flagship State of the Worlds Children report. The audiences for these products include:

• Global thought leaders
• National and local policymakers
• Governments and government decision makers
• Academics and other researchers
• Donors
• Partners
• Young people
• Other UNICEF offices and divisions
• Media
• Informed public

These products are required to meet a high standard of quality and adherence to the UNICEF style and branding. They are also required to conform to the UNICEF Innocenti visual identity, which is set out in established templates for reports, briefs and working papers.

Projects and reports | Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Innocenti requires comprehensive editorial, translation, design and layout services. These services include:

1. Writing

Writing and rewriting of reports, briefs, working papers and web articles based on material provided by UNICEF Innocenti with ability to fill information holes with desk-based research into journals and reports as needed.

2. Editing

Edit and revise reports, briefs, working papers and web articles based to ensure continuity, logic, readability, clarity of expression and consistency. Examine material for potential sensitivies, keeping in mind the intended audiences. Review material for holes in logic, arguement and information, providing detailed requests and suggestions for more research and revisions.

3. Copy-editing

Copy-editing should be to the highest professional editorial standards in accordance with the UNICEF Style Book and United Nations Editorial Manual, ensuring correct grammar, syntax and punctuation; accuracy and consistency in spelling, capitalization and abbreviation/acronyms; correct terminology and United Nations country names; correct and consistent use of footnotes, endnotes, references and other bibliographic entries; accuracy of all URLs; readability and consistency of logic and flow; clear and concise titles, headings and subheadings; complete and correct front and back matter.

4. Proofreading

Proofread designed PDF pages of the products against original manuscripts, Word documents and PDF files and provide final check of text for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and spacing.

5. Translation

Sometimes translation services are needed for reports, advocacy materials, briefs and other materials produced by UNICEF Innocenti. The vendor will assure quality-control mechanisms are in place, including proofreading and revision of translations, such that texts are complete and accurate translations of the source text; of high quality in terms of clarity and style; appropriate to the purposes of UNICEF; and free of grammatical, terminological, orthographical, typographical or structural errors. Translation will be done in accordance with the UNICEF Style Book and United Nations Editorial Manual, ensuring correct terminology and United Nations country names; correct and consistent use of footnotes, endnotes, references and other bibliographic entries; accuracy of all URLs; readability and consistency of logic and flow; clear and concise titles, headings and subheadings; complete and correct front and back matter.

6. Layout based on templates provided as packaged INDD folders

UNICEF Innocenti strives to present a cohesive and consistent visual identity across all its work. This identity is most clearly evident in ‘templates’ that have been created for the PDF products: working papers, briefs and reports. These ‘templates’ are actually packaged INDD folders that can be used in the layout of working papers, briefs and reports. Depending on the source material, the packaged INDD folder may require small tweaks to the styles.

7. Data visualization

UNICEF Innocenti is a leader in providing credible data and evidence about children’s lives and well-being. Presenting that data in ways that engage different audiences is essential to achieving our goal to drive change for children through research and foresight. Data visualizations need to be created for static presentation in PDF formats, but also so they can be incorporated into web-based products on a Drupal platform. This requires interactive and/or animated charts and graphs and interactive maps.

8. Illustration

Sometimes, UNICEF Innocenti requires visualization of an idea or initiative that requires custom illustration. Examples include custom illustration for a report cover, illustration for a video or animation.

9. General graphic design

Though most of our editorial and visual products will be based on the established UNICEF Innocenti visual identity, there may also be a need for more generalized graphic design services. Examples of final products include icons, infographics, cover designs, design concepts and ideation for PDF, web, posters and banners.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToR_EditorialDesign Consultants EXT.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• A relevant degree in communication, journalism, creative writing, design, or similar discipline
• 3 years of proven experience in the field of expertise –writing, editorial, design or layout
• Proven knowledge and experience of working in Acrobat Creative Suite, especially for designers, layout professionals and proofreaders
• Experience of working on research documents and advocacy publications
• Portfolio-proven experience
• Ability to work flexible hours including on weekends and holidays, and on short deadlines
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate: 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.