Manuscript Editor (Rapid Assessment Report of Wild Foods in the Philippines and Vietnam)

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.   
(free paragraph may be added here as needed)

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

FAO Philippines is currently implementing a project under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) on “Strengthening country capacities to enable forest-based contributions to healthy and sustainable agrifood systems (TCP/INT/3905)”. The Philippines is one of the five countries selected for this regional TCP along with Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Viet Nam. The project aims to strengthen and institutionalize government capacities to support interventions and mobilize resources towards enhancing forest-sector contributions to healthy and sustainable food systems. Specifically, the project aims to:

•     Build capacity on data and knowledge on wild foods, NWFPs and associated food systems to facilitate the generation of scientifically sound evidence for policy and finance decision-makers;
•     Promote an enabling environment by enhancing multi-sectoral dialogue and associated interventions and policies, ensuring women, indigenous peoples and local communities’ representation; and
•     Catalyze funding from multilateral and bilateral donors to support and upscale interventions identified during the activities of the proposed TCP project.

The project is now in its concluding phase, with the major technical activities and deliverables completed. As part of the finalization process, comprehensive technical reports are being prepared to document the methodologies, findings, and outcomes of the work undertaken. To ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in the presentation of these documents, the engagement of a professional Editor is required.

The position is located in the Philippines.

Reporting Lines

The Editor will report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.

Technical Focus

The Editor will play a crucial role in reviewing, refining, and standardizing the reports, making them suitable for both technical audiences and broader stakeholders. Specifically, the Editor will review and improve the reports on Rapid Assessment of Wild Foods and Plant Forests conducted in the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Editor will work closely with the FAO Project Team, the Forestry Specialist (Non-wood forest products, food security & nutrition), based in FAO Headquarters and the Food Security and Nutrition Specialist of FAO-Philippines.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Editor’s tasks include, among others:

•     Review the draft rapid assessment reports of Philippines and Vietnam to ensure clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas, particularly regarding wild foods and forest plant diversity, use, and significance;
•     Ensure consistency in tone, formatting, abbreviations, and referencing throughout the document.
•     Refine the structure of the report for readability, ensuring clear headings, subheadings, and logical sequencing of sections (e.g., methodology, findings, conclusion).
•     Ensure consistency with FAOSTYLE and FAO Terminology, including references and bibliography. 
•     Conduct a final check of the document prior to publication or submission to ensure all edits have been incorporated and the report meets high editorial standards in line with the institutional guidelines of FAO;
 

FAO Standards and guidelines:
•     Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
•     All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en  
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia   
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en 
FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en  
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en  
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff). 
•     Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University Degree in Communications and/or Journalism; 
•     At least 5 years of relevant and certified experience in editing publications and technical reports for publications especially in international journals, academic institutions, among others; 
•     Working knowledge (Level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Knowledge and understanding of forestry and environmental issues in the Philippines;
•     Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
•     Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Filipino;
•     General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
•     Knowledge of FAOSTYLE