Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants (3 years, home-based, remote[...]

UNICEF; United States; Remote; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

UNICEF seeks a Multimedia Metadata Writer and Curator to enhance fundraising through compelling content. This role involves writing metadata, curating multimedia content, and ensuring high standards in editorial practices. Candidates need a relevant degree and experience in editing and curation, crucial for supporting UNICEF's impactful storytelling.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of professional experience in an editorial environment.
• Demonstrated skills in video and photography curation and editing.
• Fluency in English with strong command of grammar and punctuation.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit metadata for video and photographs.
• Curate multimedia content specifically for fundraising markets.
• Support the selection of multimedia assets for UNICEF's Digital Asset Manager.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Proofreading

Research

Curation

Content production

Education

Bachelor’s or higher degree in communication, journalism, or related field

Tools

Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems

Job description

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, peace

UNICEF’s Private Fundraising and Partnership (PFP) aims to deliver on income, influence, and brand recognition. A key driver of increased income is a strong brand and a key strategy to deliver that is through engaging, quality content, to both build the brand and engender support. Therefore, the provision and management of compelling content materials aligned to UNICEF’s brand guidelines and qualities is essential to achieve UNICEF goals on income and influence.

The Supporter Content team in the Marketing and PR Services section seeks the services of a Multimedia Metadata Writer and Curator, who will write and edit metadata of video and photos, and curate multimedia content specifically for fundraising markets, distributing through UNICEF’s Digital Asset Manager. This work is critical to the accuracy and quality of information attached to all PFP video and photographs for dissemination to UNICEF’s fundraising markets for communication and fundraising purposes, as well as for use by external media and UNICEF partners. This will include work on sudden-onset and protracted emergencies and supporter engagement with fundraising audiences.

The consultant will consistently apply high standards to all metadata text and imagery curations (photo and video), meet tight deadlines, and adhere to the editorial, technical, and ethical requirements of UNICEF, and have the flexibility to undertake weekend work, if needed

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT: To meet the growing need for compelling content that drives private sector engagement, UNICEF PFP would like to engage the services of professional, creative, and efficient multimedia metadata and caption writer, who will be responsible for the timely development and production of the final digital texts accompanying video and photographs selected for UNICEF’s Digital Asset Manager (DAM), WeShare, advancing UNICEF’s mandate and profiling children’s stories across the globe. This consultancy requires professional writing capacity and experience. The incumbent is responsible for editorial video and photography writing, caption writing, copyediting, editing, and research functions. The incumbent will finalize video and photography texts in the DAM and assist in the curation of the assets. These texts are critical to the accuracy and quality of information attached to all PFP video and photographs for dissemination to UNICEF’s fundraising markets for communication and fundraising purposes, as well as for use by external media and UNICEF partners. The consultancy will support the Supporter Content team in reviewing video and photography content and selecting assets for captioning and acquiring to UNICEF’s DAM, as well as other curatorial tasks in the DAM itself, as needed. As required, the consultancy writes engaging short-form copy for video and photography features e.g. Photo of the Week. The incumbent may support other editorial re/writing and editing text, as needed. The incumbent will consistently apply high editorial standards to all texts, meets tight deadlines, and have the flexibility to undertake weekend work, if needed. OBJECTIVE(S): The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which the Supporter Content team will hire multimedia metadata and caption writers, as required for specific projects, to develop and produce the final texts accompanying videos and photographs for WeShare and other activities that will engage high-value audiences that demonstrate UNICEF's impact globally and support fundraising efforts for UNICEF’s programmes. MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED: Successful consultants must provide professionally produced services aimed at engaging private sector audiences deeply and ultimately to support children. Scope of Work:

• Review and edit video shotlists and photo captions, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and adherence to organizational guidelines and editorial standards.
• Correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and factual content; improve readability and style for fundraising audiences.
• Verify facts related to subjects, locations, and activities depicted in multimedia assets, consulting with relevant colleagues for clarification when necessary.
• Summarize personal narratives and relevant information about subjects in an engaging style, incorporating quotes and protecting identities where required.
• Conduct light research on themes related to UNICEF policies, programmes, or regional contexts to support accurate and compelling captioning.
• Support the selection and curation of video and photographic content for acquisition into UNICEF’s Digital Asset Manager (DAM), including captioning and other curatorial tasks.
• Upload and format final shotlists and captions in the DAM, ensuring compliance with metadata standards for effective archival retrieval and searchability.
• Assist with ongoing emergency multimedia curation under the guidance of the Communication Specialist (Emergencies Content & Imagery) in the DAM.
• Produce the regular (weekly) content spotlight mailout for fundraising markets.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

• The consultant will use their own equipment; camera, microphones, software, and other accessories that may be required.

• The consultant will not give the content/material or any part thereof, to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF. All components will be a property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share the same with anyone else.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

• UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements.

• UNICEF will orient the consultant on UNICEF’s branding, imagery, and production guidelines.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW:

Metadata writing, photo toning if needed, upload to DAM, curation of video and photo content for emergency work.

Curation of video and photo content from the DAM of current priority protracted emergencies.

Curation of video and photo content from the DAM of Current Chronically Underfunded Emergencies (CUEs).

Weekly Content Highlights.

Front end WeShare (DAM) user training.

WeShare (DAM) clinic. 1 x per quarter.

DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS:

Output 1: - Captioned photos - Shotlist for video b-roll - Metadata checklist for videos - Curated photo + video content - Attend/contribute to team and other meetings as needed. Output 2: - Maintenance once per week of 4 ongoing L3 + L2 curations. Output 3: - Maintenance once every 2 weeks of 3 ongoing CUEs curations. Output 4: - Curate and compile emails with, blurbs, links and thumbnails images. - Distribute emails to PFP and National Committees Staff. Output 5: - Present 1 hour webinar using available training materials 2 x semester. Output 6: − Host 30 mins drop-in clinic to answer ad-hoc queries on uploading photo & video to WeShare. TRAVEL:

• No travel is envisaged for this consultancy. However, if there is a possibility of travel during the assignment on a per need basis, this will be covered separately by UNICEF and not included in the fee.

Estimated Duration of LTA:

• The Long-Term Agreement will be for a duration of three years. The initial term will be for one year, with the option to renew for an additional two years (one year at a time) under the same rates, terms, and conditions, subject to satisfactory performance evaluation and continuing need for the service. In this regard, the financial proposal should cover a one-year period.

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

Education:

• A first-level university degree (Batchelor’s or higher) in a field related to communication, journalism, photography or in international relations, public relations, social/human sciences and/or other related field equivalent to specialized training in original writing, proofreading, fact-checking and copyediting and editing is required.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional experience in an editorial environment, including original writing, proofreading, fact-checking, photo editing.
• Demonstrated skills in writing, rewriting, research, and text editing for diverse audiences, with strong command of editorial styles, grammar, and punctuation.
• Strong experience in video and photography curation and editing.
• Strong planning and organizational abilities, with proven capacity to research, analyze, and draft clear, concise written content.
• Knowledge of content production processes is an asset.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and ensure accuracy and finalization of content prior to publication.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in international, multicultural teams.
• Works well under pressure is desirable.
• Bringing a problem-solving attitude is an asset.
• Experience managing multiple assignments with competing deadlines.
• Ability to manage sometimes stressful and difficult conditions that may appear in photographs or videos displaying political/cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in video/photography curation is required.
• Experience as an admin user with a digital asset management system.
• Proficiency with computer systems, internet navigation, and general applications, including metadata management with Photo Mechanic, Adobe Lightroom, or Adobe Bridge.
• Experience working in emergency settings is an asset.
• Experience working with another UN agency and/or NGOs is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English; knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TEMPLATE:

Financial Proposal - Multimedia Metadata Writer and Curator.docx

HOW TO APPLY: The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain 4 separate attachments: i. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate are suitable for this position (to be uploaded online under “Cover Letter” tab). ii. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under “Resume” tab) iii. A rich and diverse online portfolio/PDF with relevant links containing a range of work done with at least 3 recent examples. Please include explainers pieces, profile video stories, text stories, any other content relevant to the role (to be uploaded online). iv. A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the above template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving (to be uploaded under "Financial Proposal" tab). Thefee should cover services for one year. Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a or 00", under the fee related questions in the online application form. Without all the above documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further. • Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant. • Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted. • Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process. • Female candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. • UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply. • General Terms and Conditions for the Consultancy Contract is attached, for your reference. Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws ETHICAL GUIDELINES: The consultant is responsible for reading, understanding, and applying UNICEF ethical representation of children guidelines when shooting in the field, with special care taken when children’s identities need to be concealed. See here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFV7RYJ Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.