Editor(s)

Background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. UNIDIR’s vision is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. UNIDIR’s role is to support Member States, the United Nations, and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. The Institute is based in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNIDIR is looking to recruit editors who will be engaged on a retainer basis to provide editing support to programmes and projects, as required.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the requesting UNIDIR programme, the Individual Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

• Copy-edit UNIDIR content to ensure it is accurate, appropriate, timely and engaging, and conforms with UNIDIR editing/style/branding. 
• Provide regular updates to monitor progress on assignments. The Contractor will inform the relevant UNIDIR programme if there are any issues concerning meeting the deadlines agreed when assignments are proposed.

Qualifications and experience

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field.

Experience

At least 10 years of proved professional experience in editing or communications. Strong writing and editing skills, including robust understanding of online storytelling, as well as a solid fact-checking and copy-editing background. Experience working for an international non-profit agency or organization is desirable.

Language

Fluency in English (both written and oral) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an interview.

Travel

There is no travel requirement.

Payment terms

Upon submission of monthly invoices indicating 1. UNIDIR programme/core activity for which work was performed; 2. Exact title or description of work; 3. Number of words (in 1,000s) for each individual work assignment.

Copyright

The UN shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to: patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how or documents and other materials which the Contractor has developed for the UN under the Contract – and which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract.

The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents and other materials constitute works made for hire for the UN. However, to the extent that any such intellectual property or other proprietary rights consist of any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of the Contractor: (a) that pre-existed the performance by the Contractor of its obligations under the Contract, or (b) that the Contractor may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of its obligations under the Contract, the UN does not and shall not claim any ownership interest thereto, and the Contractor grants to the UN a perpetual license to use such intellectual property or other proprietary right solely for the purposes of and in accordance with the requirements of the Contract.

At the request of the UN, the Contractor shall take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring or licensing them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law and of the Contract. Subject to the foregoing provisions, all maps, drawings, photographs, mosaics, plans, reports, estimates, recommendations, documents and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under the Contract shall be the property of the UN, shall be made available for use or inspection by the UN at reasonable times and in reasonable places, shall be treated as confidential, and shall be delivered only to UN authorized officials on completion of work under the Contract.