Result of Service

The Science Editor will ensure all assigned documents are copyedited to the highest standard, maintaining the technical substance while improving the clarity of the text and overall style.

Work Location

remote

Expected duration

1 year, with possibility of extension. Up to 25 working days/year.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) (http://www.stapgef.org) provides objective scientific and technical advice to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on its policies, strategies, and programs, on issues such as biodiversity, climate change mitigation, climate adaptation, chemicals and waste, land degradation, and international waters. This advice takes a variety of forms, including guidance, information notes, background papers, policy briefs, etc. STAP documents need to be clear, well-written and easily understood and accessible to the target audience, including GEF member countries, agencies (including UN organizations, multilateral development bank, and NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations and non-specialists. The job of the Science Editor is to ensure that STAP documents meet high-quality editorial standard, maintaining the scientific and technical substance while improving the clarity of the text and style. Responsibilities: • Editing and proofreading: review and edit technical documents for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and clarity, ensuring they adhere to STAP guidelines and UN standards. • Content accuracy: verify the accuracy of technical information and data, collaborating with authors to resolve any discrepancies, work with authors to address revisions as needed. • Consistency: ensure consistency in terminology, formatting, and style of STAP publications. • Readability: review and revise documents to improve readability for targeted audience. • Formatting and style: improve the formatting and style of documents, including formatting references according to agreed referencing system. • Collaboration: work with subject matter experts, authors, and the STAP Secretariat on assigned tasks. • Quality assurance: Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure that all edited documents meet the highest standards of quality. • Timeliness: ensure that all tasks are completed within agreed timelines.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in environmental and scientific disciplines, sustainable development, science-policy, communications, English, journalism, or a related field, is required. • A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • At least 5 years of proven experience as Science Editor/Editor, preferably within the environmental science-policy and sustainability communities, is required. • Exceptional editing and proofreading skills with a keen eye for details, specifically for technical documents, are required. • Proficiency in using editing tools and software, for example, Microsoft Office tools (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, is required. • Familiarity with environmental field terminologies and technical concepts, good understanding of scientific style guide, and familiarity with UN editorial standards are desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.