UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Future

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will provide editorial support across the full paper and manuscript development cycle. This will include reviewing author submissions for structure, clarity, coherence, consistency, policy orientation and alignment with the five thematic tracks: learning and 21st-century skills; health, nutrition and water and sanitation; social protection; enabling environment; and sports, arts and culture.

The consultant will edit 15 papers of approximately 4,000–5,000 words and support their conversion into concise book chapters, ensuring that each contribution presents practical, evidence-based strategies, clear implementation lessons, financing and delivery considerations, and forward-looking investment options for Lesotho.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0007355 EXTERNAL TOR.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum Qualifications required:Masters-Advanced university degree in English, communications, journalism, ublishing, social sciences, development studies, education, public policy or another relevant field.

Years of Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Work Experience:

•At least five years of demonstrated experience in editing academic, policy, research or development-related publications.

• Proven experience editing multi-author papers, reports, chapters or books, preferably in development, social policy, children’s rights, education, health, social protection or public finance.

Language Requirements:.Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

•Knowledge of Lesotho’s development context, child rights, social sectors or public policy environment is an asset.

• Familiarity with author-date Harvard referencing and manuscript formatting requirements.

• Ability to preserve technical meaning while improving clarity, coherence, structure and readability

Desirables:Knowledge of UNICEF Communication and Writing Style

Technical proposal requirement:Two (2) samples of previous professional editing work should be submitted together with the application.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0007355 FINANCIAL PROPOSAL.docx

A detailed technical proposal
Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Editor for Papers on Investing in Children Consultant (National and International)11.5 months, Home based, UNICEF-Lesotho Social Policy section -Maseru