UNICEF is hiring: Long-term agreement for the engagement of professional writing

Overview

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit UNICEF website for more information.

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Background / Rationale

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote survival, protection and development of children, young people, and women. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions. The UNICEF Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) provides strategic and coordinated support to Country Offices preparing for and responding to humanitarian crises, in accordance with UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the Core Commitments to Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs). EMOPS leads efforts to ensure UNICEF’s role in any emergency situation is clearly defined, and that the Organization is prepared to deliver our mandate.

EMOPS Director’s Office oversees the production of several corporate products such as the Humanitarian Action for Children appeal, the EMOPS end-year summary narrative, the Global Annual Results Report on Humanitarian Action, the Executive Board papers on humanitarian action, briefing and strategic notes and a set of country profiles, which require support writing, editing, copyediting and proofreading per UNICEF’s standards and style.

Purpose of Assignment

UNICEF is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals with relevant qualifications and experience in professional writing, editing and proofreading services to support UNICEF Offices globally. The consultancy will be fully remote.

Programme Area and Specific Project Area

UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programmes is seeking to identify a writer/editor consultant to undertake writing, editing, reviewing services of several UNICEF humanitarian products. The consultant will be able to write research/technical documents and edit documents on a broad range of humanitarian topics, such as emergency preparedness and response; humanitarian access, principled humanitarian assistance and protection for children; accountability to affected population; humanitarian coordination; and humanitarian and development nexus. Deliverables include developing technical materials such as reports, research, strategy documents, case studies, briefing notes and knowledge products. The consultant will provide editorial support (editing, copy-editing, proofreading) for all these products and will summarize large and complex knowledge products into concise formats.

Objective

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNICEF hires consultants to deliver a broad range of writing and editing services to UNICEF Offices globally. Under the EMOPS Director Office, the consultant shall undertake one or all of the following tasks:

• Writing, rewriting, and editing EMOPS humanitarian products, including the Humanitarian Action for Children appeal;
• Executive Board papers on UNICEF humanitarian action (specific EB sessions in February and June).
• EMOPS Summary Narrative (Annual Report);
• Briefings, Strategic notes and Country Profiles;
• Presentations.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

The consultant is responsible for a range of tasks. Exact deliverables will be agreed between UNICEF and the consultant. Responsibilities of the Consultant include:

• Use own equipment, laptops, microphones, software and other accessories required for tasks.
• Maintain confidentiality; materials remain the property of UNICEF; do not share content without written permission.
• Do not place own name/logo on the final product; UNICEF branding only if required.
• When travel is required, the consultant arranges their own travel.

Responsibilities of UNICEF

• Provide all details pertaining to activity and requirements.
• Orient the Consultant on UNICEF branding guidelines.
• Describe methods and approaches guiding the organization’s projects of this type.
• When travel is required, the hiring office sets a reasonable travel budget and reimburses the consultant per contracted terms.

Deliverables

1. Writing: content for reports, publications and digital products in clear language, following UNICEF Brand guidelines. Initial drafts subject to revision based on technical review and fact-checking. Word count to be provided.

2. Editing: reports and materials edited for clarity, readability and consistency. Includes initial editorial review, line editing, final read-through, and track changes from technical review.

3. Copy-editing: adherence to UNICEF Style Book guidelines, including grammar, punctuation, terminology, and formatting of references and front/back matter.

4. Proofreading: verification against final copy-edited text, cross-references, pagination, and consistency checks.

Note: UNICEF will award an LTA to the top ranked candidate.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in a defined ratio. Criteria include:

• Cover letter explaining motivation and suitability.
• Relevant educational qualifications.
• Relevant work experience.
• Work samples – three examples demonstrating suitability.
• Sub-total and total technical scores with specified minimums; financial scores thereafter.

Financial Proposal

Include your financial proposal separately, indicating daily professional fee and estimated days per deliverable. All costs in USD. Upload the financial proposal as a separate document in the online portal.

Submission

The application is to be submitted online. Deadline: midnight Eastern Time 3 October 2025. Attachments required: a cover letter, three work samples with a short description of your role, and a financial proposal. Incomplete applications will be considered invalid.

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in communications or journalism.
• Minimum 8 years of experience as writer/editor; UN/NGO experience required.
• Excellent writing, web writing experience, familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in emergencies.
• Fluency in English; strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team; copyediting and proofreading per UNICEF standards.
• Experience in writing/editing UNICEF Executive Board Papers is an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Competencies

UNICEF competencies for this post include: Builds and maintains partnerships; Ethical awareness; Drive to achieve results; Innovation; Managing ambiguity; Strategic thinking; Collaboration. Familiarize with the competency framework for levels.

Other Information

UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. The organization may require medical clearance, visa, and vaccination as applicable. UNICEF does not charge a recruitment fee at any stage. Details on accommodations, accessibility and flexible working arrangements are provided in UNICEF’s recruitment process.

Remarks: UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw offers for visa or medical clearance reasons. Internal candidates may be considered. All shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.