Background Information - Job-specific
ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is seeking to establish a roster of experts as โTechnical Editorโ. This provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a unique multi-stakeholder partnership to address one of the most significant and most underinvested issues of our global development agenda โ the need for assistive technology (AT).
ATscale is a cross-sectoral partnership with the goal of reaching 500 million additional people with assistive technology by 2030 to support them in participating in education, work, and everyday life.
Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of AT, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but in low-income countries, 90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion people by 2050.
Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate AT causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealised economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.
The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Through this vacancy announcement, ATscale seeks to establish a roster of experts in the area of Editing.
The editor will be responsible for creating and editing of ATscaleโs publications, web pages and documents that are critical to the success of ATscale programmes, advocacy, communications and resource mobilization efforts, and ensure the quality and consistency of its publications, website and documents
The Editor will ensure that all ATscale documents adhere to UN editorial standards, the ATscale Style Guide, accessibility guidelines, and are clear, concise, and accessible.
ATscale values diversity and particularly encourages candidates with a lived experience of disability and/or using assistive technology to apply.
The incumbent will be offered retainer contracts, i.e. a contract issued for a period of time with an upper limit but no expectation of a minimum number of working days. The workload will depend on the needs of ATscale.
Functional Responsibilities
To deliver high-quality, on-demand expertise, the Editor will:
-
Create, edit and revise various forms of ATscale communication products, including but not limited to technical publications, web-articles and social media texts in a consistent and coherent manner across all communication platforms.
-
Edit and proofread written documents for clarity, accuracy, consistency and style :
-
Incorporate editorial changes electronically, using track changes as needed.
-
Prepare lists of changes or manually enter changes, as agreed.
-
Ensure correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistent use of UN and ATscale house style.
-
Verify appropriate word usage and eliminate jargon.
-
Check and correct numbers, units of measurement, and presentation of countries and proper names.
-
Edit titles, subheadings, table and figure legends for brevity, consistency, and parallel construction.
-
Check formatting of chapters, sections, paragraphs, lists, and captions for consistency.
-
Verify correct citation sequences and ATscale / UN house style for reference lists and bibliographies.
-
Ensure all written work is authentic, and adheres to accessibility guidelines.
-
Improve readability and impact:
-
Monitor paragraph length and content, eliminating repetition and redundancy.
-
Reduce abbreviations and ensure essential abbreviations are spelled out on first mention.
-
Minimize excessive use of italics, boldface, and quotation marks.
-
Check for and address discriminatory language.
-
Prepare or edit the table of contents.
-
Advise on and support the drafting of the executive summary.
-
Prepare for Layout:
-
Mark up electronic copies with instructions for the layout specialist.
-
Where relevant, ensure that files are print-ready, proofed and are in line with accessibility guidelines.
-
Ensure all written work is authentic, original and appropriately cited and/or referenced.
-
Strategically advise ATscale on editorial activities including but not limited to organization of online ATscale library and securing International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
-
Other editing and writing tasks related to the communications of the secretariat, as required.
Travel may be required to attend in-person meetings.
Impact of ResultsThe Editor's work will directly contribute to:
-
Improved clarity, accuracy, and readability of ATscale documents.
-
-
Enhanced professional image of ATscale and its outputs.
-
-
Increased accessibility of information for a global audience.
-
-
Adherence to UN editorial standards and UNOPS quality assurance processes. Note : The role is home-based on a project/need basis.
Monitoring and Progress Control
-
All documents are written and edited according to International, UN and academic standards and meet with accessibility guidelines
Successfully meeting deadlines
The technical editor will be paid based on days worked upon submissions of Certificates of Payment (COP).
Education/Experience/Language requirementsEducation
An Advanced University Degree (Master`s degree or equivalent) preferably in English, journalism, communications or a related field is required.
A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional 2 years of experience may be considered in lieu of the Master`s degree. Experience and Expertise
A minimum of 2 years of experience in writing, content development and technical editing preferably within the UN system or International Organizations is required
Experience in the UN system or international organizations is required.
Experience using the UN Editorial Manual is required.
Familiarity with UN editorial guidelines and terminology is required.
Excellent knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and style and understanding of the use of International British English is required
Proficiency in Google docs and track changes functionality is desirable
Experience with accessibility guidelines is desirable
Language
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Retainer
Contract level: ICS-9 (IICA 1 / LICA 9)
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract may be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.
Additional Information
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
UNOPS makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please make us aware, we want to ensure you perform at your best.
People self-identifying as living with a long-term disability are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
UNOPS defines long term disability as a 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. (Article 1, paragraph 2 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.