English Proofreader (Consultant)

About United Nations University

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Institute (UNU-IAS)

United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IAS is a UNU institute based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions.Through its postgraduate education programmes UNU-IAS develops future international leaders with interdisciplinary understanding and skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.UNU-IAS builds on a strong tradition of UNU research and capacity development in Japan, undertaken in collaboration with a global network of professionals and scholars, particularly in Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit http://ias.unu.edu

Biodiversity and Society (BDS) is an Academic Programme of UNU-IAS, which implements activities to promote Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) by enhancing academic excellence. Based on the research outputs, the programme contributes to the achievement of biodiversity-related global goals such as Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It also facilitates capacity development and peer learning based on accumulated experience and knowledge on SEPLS, such as developing Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR) book series, promoting other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and assisting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote landscape approaches through the process of revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to contribute to the GBF and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides operational support for the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) as its secretariat, in a fair participatory manner and through a multi-stakeholder engagement process.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director of United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), and direct supervision of Programme Manager of Biodiversity and Society (BDS) Programme, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. English proofreading

• Conduct proofreading of the English manuscripts of the Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review (SITR) volume 9 entitled
  
  “Business and biodiversity: Reciprocal connections in the context of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS).”

2. Copy-editing

• Copy-edit the manuscripts by following the publication guidelines and policies specified for the publication.
• Assure continuity of style, accuracy of content, and conformity to the publication style and rules provided. Provide linguistic suggestions and editorial queries if any to improve the quality of the manuscripts.

3. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and Plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and Develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and Innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Education and certification

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental field or natural or social science.

Experience

• A minimum of five years of experience in production editing, including copy-preparation, layout, formatting and proofreading of a broad variety of content such as text, infographics, tables and figures, for reports, publications, books or websites, is required.
• Experience in proofreading and copy-editing academic papers on natural and social science topics is required;
• Knowledge of global environmental challenges, including biodiversity is required.
• Knowledge of International Satoyama Initiative or landscape approach is an asset
• Experience with working on international projects is required;
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  Other Desirable Skills: Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration and attention to details, drafting ability, and flexibility.

Language Requirements

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

• Excellent writing, editing, and communications skills in English. This position requires native-level English.

Duration of contract

1 November 2023 – 31 January 2024 (negotiable)

Proposed payment schedule

Expected start date: 
1 November 2023

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 form(please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline:  

24 October 2023 (UTC)

Assessment

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

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