Consultancy

UN News; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent UN agency is seeking experienced technical writers to develop impactful knowledge products related to sexual and reproductive health rights in East and Southern Africa. Successful candidates should possess over 7 years of relevant writing experience and an advanced degree in a related field. The consultancy involves producing evidence-based materials while collaborating with a diverse team. The contract spans until 31 December 2026, involving traveling to gather information.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of writing experience linked to sexual and reproductive health.
• Experience with user-friendly knowledge products.
• Good attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Develop concise, impact-driven knowledge products.
• Conduct interviews and consultations with stakeholders.
• Gather and analyze data from various sources.

Skills

Writing Skills

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Multicultural Teamwork

Education

Advanced university degree in Writing, Journalism, Communication or related field

Job description

Application requirement

Along with your CV and cover letter, please include three relevant examples of your previous work: two writing samples and one workplan / project management plan, linked to a research or documentation exercise.

Background of consultancy

The 2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme that brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa.

One of the objectives of the programme is to provide timely and quality‑assured technical assistance (TA) to continental and regional economic communities, parliamentary fora, participating United Nations agencies, and countries.

To achieve this, the Programme developed a regional SRHR Technical Assistance Hub, which is a roster of pre‑determined quality‑assured technical experts, professional organisations, institutions and partners working on SRHR in the region.

This call is for technical experts to apply for consideration to be added to the Technical Assistance Hub. Applicants will be assessed based on each call, relevant qualifications, previous experience and examples previous work. Once included in the roster you will have preferential access to consulting opportunities to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people in East and Southern Africa.

Selected candidates will be contracted by one of the four participating UN agencies of 2gether 4 SRHR (UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO) or other partners using their internal policies and procedures. Inclusion in the TA Hub does not constitute a contractual obligation by any participating party.

How you can make a difference

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022‑2025) reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths; ending unmet need for family planning; and ending gender‑based violence and harmful practices.

These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organisations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid‑19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realise our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high‑impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Purpose of consultancy

2gether 4 SRHR is seeking a pool of technical writers to support the development of knowledge products on SRHR including policy briefs, toolkits, case studies, emerging and promising practices, human interest stories and fact sheets drawing on information, data and resources (inclusive of desk reviews, interviews, consultations and field visits, among others) that can be used to amplify models and approaches across the region.

Writers who are selected to be part of the pool of technical writers will work with technical and communications experts from the contracting agency to identify the knowledge product to be developed, which should be concise, impact‑driven, evidence‑based, and written in a compelling format for use and application by a wide range of audiences.

The selected writer will be expected to travel to a designated country(ies) to hold interviews and consultations with key stakeholders, alongside travel to 2gether 4 SRHR districts to visit project areas. Once information is gathered, the writer will develop the agreed suite of products, which may include briefs, toolkits, checklists, guidelines, human interest stories, fact sheets, etc. The end products will be written in non‑technical, accessible language and developed in formats that are concise and easy to use.

Scope of work

• Participate in a writers workshop to meet with the programme team and other writers to agree on the knowledge product(s) to be produced (inclusive of word count, format and style).
• Develop an inception report that outlines the scope of the project, methodologies, process, outputs, timelines and deliverables.
• Propose an outline and structure based on the type of knowledge product to best suit the purpose and intended audience.
• Gather data, including undertaking desktop reviews, developing questionnaires, and analysing data collected from site visits, key informant interviews, discussions with beneficiaries, policy makers and decision makers.
• Write up the knowledge product according to the outline or structure, inclusive of agreed page length and editorial style across products, and undertake reviews and incorporate comments and inputs received from the team.
• Incorporate feedback from an external editor and do a final review of the design and layout of the knowledge product.
• Facilitate regular planning calls with 2gether 4 SRHR internal team to ensure adherence to timelines and deliverables.
• Participate in a final debrief meeting to reflect on experiences and lessons learned.

Outputs

• Inception report that outlines the scope of the agreed‑upon assignment, methodologies, process, outputs, timelines and deliverables.
• Questionnaires for engagements with key informants, beneficiaries and other data collection tools that may be required.
• Draft and final version of the produced knowledge product.
• Facilitate process of review and feedback, inclusive of editing and proofreading, ensuring adherence to 2gether 4 SRHR/UN editorial guidelines.
• Finalise designed versions of the knowledge products.

Duration and working schedule

The assignment will take place from the date of contract signature to 31 December 2026 for a period of 25 working days.

Place where services are to be delivered

The completed work is to be submitted electronically to the hiring manager.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered

Deliverables will be submitted electronically in accordance with United Nations editorial style guidelines and inclusive of incorporated feedback by the 2gether 4 SRHR teams, the external editor and proofreaders.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline

The consultant will be required to provide regular updates via email to monitor adherence to tight schedules.

Supervisory arrangements

The supervisory arrangements will be determined by the specific technical assignment made available to the technical experts.

Expected travel

The consultant will be expected to travel to country offices.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree in Writing, Journalism, Communication or related field.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant writing experience linked to sexual and reproductive health and rights, or a related field, in East and Southern Africa.
• Evidence of previous experience of knowledge products produced that clearly demonstrate skills in gathering, analysing and synthesising data into knowledge products that are user‑friendly and tailored to relevant audiences.
• Good planning and organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to multi‑task and work under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships both within and outside the organisation.
• Previous writing/editing experience with UNFPA/United Nations is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or Portuguese is desirable.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner

The contracting agency will provide all relevant background documents to help inform the development of the writing and final materials.

Required Competencies

Values

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing cultural diversity
• Embracing change

Core Competencies

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work‑life balance. It encourages women to apply and welcomes applicants from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in appointment, training, compensation and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics.

Disclaimer

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.