Writer-Editor - authorship work - GEM REPORT

OVERVIEW Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station : Multiple Job Family : Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 12-JAN-2026 UNESCO Core Values : Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST IMPORTANT : APPLICATION PROCEDURES In place of the Employment History Form , please upload required documents. The whole package needs to be uploaded as a single PDF document (CV, Technical and financial proposal) : 1. an updated curriculum vitae 2. a technical proposal including an approach and methodology for the assignement 3. a financial proposal : The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars, GBP or Euros only for the period : 1st February 2026 – 1 November 2026. The position will be carried out remotely. Please explain how your profile and experience meet our mandatory requirements. Please submit your supporting documents in English. UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in relation to the criteria set forth in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money. Only complete applications will be considered. UNESCO is inviting written proposals from Individuals for the work assignment described below. 1. BACKGROUND The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report is an editorially independent, evidence-basedannual report hosted and published by UNESCO. Established in 2002, its current mandate derives from the 2015 World Education Forum and focuses on monitoring education in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the strategies outlined in the Education 2030 Framework for Action. As the 2030 deadline draws nearer, there is a clear demand to take comprehensive stock of the progress achieved since the start of SDG 4. In this context, GEM Report will be bringing education statistics to the forefront and introducing changes to the next three report cycles in the form of a Countdown to 2030 series. The first report in the series will look at four indicators : Early childhood participation (SDG global indicator 4.2.2) Out-of-school rate (SDG thematic indicator 4.1.4) Completion rate (SDG global indicator 4.1.2) Tertiary education gross enrolment ratio (SDG thematic indicator 4.3.2) Equity measures will be examined as part of country case studies. In addition, some countries will also be selected directly based on analysis of progress in inequality measures. Alongside the annual report, the GEM Report team publishes summary and regional editions, policy papers, background papers, and resources on inequality in education, monitoring of SDG 4 progress, and descriptions of national education systems. Long Description 2. OBJECTIVES The draft text of the Reports is authored by the research team and is occasionally overly technical. The consultant will need to revise and rewrite parts of the report accordingly to make it more accessible to its readers, which include decision-makers : ministers, policy- makers, parliamentarians and planners. The work of the consultant has two main objectives with respect to the GEM Report Team publications and related outputs : Adapt and rewrite the draft text of GEM Report publications and related outputs to ensure that their key messages are drawn and made clear for its wide, diverse and often non-technical readership. Carry out standard editorial tasks in the English versions of the Reports and related outputs. The consultant will work closely with the Director of the GEM Report, in close liaison with the publications manager and the Chief of Communications. 3. TASKS The Consultant’s tasks consist of editing the reports and rewriting sections of the reports and all other material produced by the team as detailed below. The estimated word counts below are to be considered as a rough estimate. The GEM Report (450 pages) (release in March 2026) Summary Report (40 pages) (release in March 2026) SDG 4 Scorecard and national SDG 4 benchmarks (65 pages) (release in April 2026) Education and the SDGs : Education and Justice (65 pages) (release in May 2026) Education Finance Watch (50 pages) (release in July 2026) Regional Report on the Caribbean (65 pages) (release in July 2026) Regional Report on Africa (65 pages) (release in October 2026) Regional Report on the Arab States (65 pages) (release in November 2026) Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks / duties : Adapt and rewrite the draft text of the Reports and related outputs to ensure that their key messages are clear for its wide, diverse and often non- technical readership. The draft text of the Reports is authored by the research team and is occasionally overly technical. The consultant will need to revise and rewrite parts of the report accordingly to make it more accessible to its readers, which include decision-makers : ministers, policy- makers, parliamentarians and planners. In collaboration with the Director, the researchers and the Chief of Communications, help identify key policy messages. Ensure that these messages stand out clearly in the relevant text of the Report and related outputs and are communicated effectively and consistently. Ensure that the text is well written and logically structured. Rewrite text when necessary to communicate messages in the best possible way. Provide advice, when necessary, to researchers for restructuring or rewriting text to communicate messages in the best possible way. Carry out standard editorial tasks in the English versions of the Reports and related outputs : Ensure that the text is well written and logically structured. Make in-depth grammar and stylistic corrections, even re-writing full sentences to obtain the best written English; Ensure that text is in line with the United Nations and GEM Report style guides, notably with the use of country names and that hyphens and capital letters are used consistently. Update the GEM Report style guide when new stylistic decisions are made. Correct typographical errors, punctuation and spelling. In collaboration with the researchers, ensure that all references and sources are accurately and consistently stipulated. Check that illustrations and captions are correct and sources are clearly referenced. Check that figures and tables are consistently and accurately referred to in the main text. Where applicable, review and incorporate the work of the copy-editor into the final text; liaise with copy- writer to resolve any issues. Ensure that the Word document is sent to the graphic designers in the correct format (consistent line spacing and paragraph / table formatting). 4. DELIVERABLES The GEM Report and Summary Report (490 pages) by 31 March 2026 SDG 4 Scorecard and Education and the SDGs (130 pages) by 29 May 2026 Regional Report on the Caribbean and the Education Finance Watch (115 pages) by 30 October 2026 Regional Reports on Africa and the Arab States (130 pages) by 30 November 2026 COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education of expert(s) Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Education in communications, journalism, writing, international affairs or similar Work experience At least 10 years of work experience in journalism, writing content, and editing UN, academic and other reports Skills / Competencies Experience working on education issues and the United Nations is a plus. Attention to detail and familiar with the latest trends in journalism and writing for international organizations Ability to multitask under pressure while proactively communicating progress and any emerging constraints and maintaining a high level of responsiveness. Ability to work independently, often within tight timelines, to meet strict deadlines. Experience working in an international, multi-cultural environment. Examples of current and past edited publications to provide. Languages Fluency in writing and communicating in English required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Long Description #J-18808-Ljbffr