CONSULTANT - FRENCH EDITOR

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Perugia

Classification of duty station: ((filter12))

Standard Duration of Assignement : ((filter13))

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 13-OCT-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Within the framework of the UNESCO and the Italian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the "UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme - WWAP", under the overall supervision of the WWAP Coordinator and the direct supervision of the responsible officer, in close collaboration with all members of the WWAP Secretariat, the Individual Specialist is requested to:
1. Oversee the editorial and layout process of the French version of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2025, "Water Towers: Mountains and Glaciers" (UN WWDR 2025):

* Finalize the terms of reference for translating services in coordination with the responsible officer and the Publication Assistant;
* Support the Programme Officer during the selection process of the professional translation company;
* Send the final text of the UN WWDR 2025, its Executive Summary and Facts, Figures and Action Examples to the selected company for translation (manuscript, and text embedded in figures and tables) with clear instructions;
* Act as focal point with the translation company during the whole translation process; liaise with the translation company for all relevant technical queries (including but not limited to the preparation of the list of relevant/useful references/links and list of specific terminology if needed);
* Liaise with the graphic designer and ensure that the template of the English version is followed and the layout version of the UN WWDR 2025 (FR), Executive Summary (FR) and Facts, Figures and Action Examples (FR) are finalized in time for ISBN application as per production schedule already set by WWAP Secretariat; and
* Prepare and send ready-to-print files to the responsible officer and the Publication Assistant in time for printing as per production schedule already set by WWAP Secretariat.

Long Description

2. Copyedit and proofread the French translation of UN WWDR 2025, its Executive Summary and Facts and Figures before and after the layout; edit and retranslate the text where necessary (approximate word count, complete Report: approximately 120,000 words including Executive Summary and short summary; Facts, Figures and Action Examples: approximately 7,000 words each)
* Ensure consistency in translation and in referencing; and verify that all elements are in French;
* Clarify meaning where there may be confusion in interpretation, and improve flow;
* Ensure that the text is clean of typos, spelling, grammatical and syntax errors;
* Ensure accuracy of translation of names of institutions, organizations, groups, countries accordingly to UN terminology, etc.;
* Verify that box, figure and table numbers are properly cited in the text, following the English version;
* Ensure that all titles, sub-titles, notes and sources are consistent with the English version; and that all disclaimers, credits and notes related to figures and tables are included and duly translated;
* Ensure that all blurbs, boxes, photo captions and text in figures are duly translated;
* Ensure that the list of acronyms of the French version corresponds to the English version, and edit it if required due to the different language (e.g. alphabetical order);
* Ensure that in-text references and the list of references of the French version correspond to the English version; ensure that the references, which are available in French, are replaced accordingly; and
* Ensure that the list of references, footnotes and citations are formatted according to the French style guide and integrate any missing information.

Long Description

3. Oversee the editorial and layout process of the Spanish version of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2025 (UN WWDR 2025):
* Support the responsible officer and the Publication Assistant throughout the editorial and production process of the UN WWDR2025 Spanish edition;
* Send the final text of the UN WWDR 2025 for translation (manuscript, and text embedded in figures and tables) to Mexican ANEAS with clear instructions;
* Liaise with the translator (or the focal point of the partner) and act as focal point during the translation and proofreading process for all relevant technical queries (including but not limited to the preparation of the list of relevant/useful references/links and list of specific terminology if needed); ensure that the translated text sent by the partner corresponds to all sections of the text in English original (i.e. there is no missing text, references, figures compared to the English original);
* Ensure that corrections of the proofreader and other complimentary comments from WWAP Team (including those by the Publication Assistant and the reviser) are sent to the graphic designer and these are integrated into the layout;
* Liaise with the graphic designer and ensure that the template of the French version is followed and the layout version is finalized in time for ISBN application as per production schedule already set by WWAP Secretariat.

Long Description

4. Translation and editing of the following Gender, UN WWDR and related communication material into French:
* Existing and new WWAP website pages, including news articles as needed;
* Pages of the new 'Multi-stakeholder Coalition' digital platform as needed;
* New communication materials for the Call for Action (CfA) Communication Campaign and UN WWDR;
* 'Water and Gender' training materials (PPT, scripts) and related communication material (including agenda, flyers) as needed;
* Potential invitation letters to upcoming events and follow-up (e.g. Call for Action Multi-stakeholder Coalition Meetings, UN WWDR 2025 launch event, CSW, Paris and Geneva Peace Forums, Stockholm World Water Week 2025)
* Any other text that is modest in length

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Academic Qualifications
University degree in scientific/technical disciplines (such as hydrology, environmental sciences), literature or in a relevant field.

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements
* Proven track record in editing and proofreading of scientific publications, books, reports, etc on environmental affairs and water resources management.
* Experience in translation of such documents in both French and English within UN context,
* Good knowledge of relevant scientific lexicons,
* Strong knowledge and experience of the editing process and skills in editing technical documents,
* Excellent grammatical knowledge in French and English and
* In depth knowledge of UN (and specifically UNESCO) style guides
* Excellent written and oral French
* Excellent written and oral English. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
* Good organizational, networking and partnership building skills.
* Ability to prioritize and deliver on deadline.
* Good IT skills. Being proficient in editing software is desirable
* Ability to adapt editing for different materials for different audiences
* Good skills and effectiveness in written and oral communication and presentation.
* Ability to work as part of a team.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on "Apply Now", download and complete the following:
- Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information.
- An approach and methodology for the assignment and a work plan.
- A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR and expressed on a monthly basis.
- An updated CV

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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