Writing and Editing Consultant

Introduction and Background

UNICEF Pakistan’s Polio Programme regularly produces a wide range of communication products, including thematic reports, programme narratives, talking points for high-level engagements, media narratives, speeches, and human-interest stories. These products support advocacy, public communication, partner engagement, and strategic decision-making at national and sub-national levels.

To ensure the timely availability, quality, and consistency of these communication materials aligned with UNICEF and Pakistan Eradication Initiative branding and messaging, we are seeking to engage a deliverable-based consultant to provide technical writing, editing, and proofreading services.

Objectives and Scope of Work:

The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the quality, clarity, and consistency of written communication products for the Polio Eradication by providing professional technical writing, editing, and proofreading support, in line with UNICEF communication standards and NEOC guidelines.

Major Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop, edit, and revise communication materials including but not limited to human-interest and success stories, media narratives, programme narratives, talking points for senior leadership and spokespersons, and speeches for high-level meetings and events.
• Ensure all written content is original, factually accurate, and appropriately referenced.
• Conduct desk research to inform content development and strengthen evidence-based messaging.
• Proofread and edit all materials to ensure high standards of grammar, clarity, tone, consistency, and alignment with UNICEF style guidelines.
• Ensure content is suitable for intended audiences, including government counterparts, media, donors, and communities.

The tone of the developed materials should consider cultural sensitivities, social dynamics, accessibility, and style depending on the target audience.

Target audiences will include parents and caregivers, journalists, religious and community leaders, health practitioners, decision-makers, donors, and partners. The consultancy will deliver a range of content products such as human-interest stories, media narratives, talking points, programme narratives, speeches for high-level events, and case studies, and may also include additional media outputs such as op-eds, feature articles, and other media pieces.

Reporting requirements:

The consultant will be supervised as per the designated UNICEF contract and deliverables manager. All deliverables will be submitted electronically and reviewed against agreed quality benchmarks.

Copyright for all deliverables produced by the consultant will be transferred to UNICEF when the payment against the work has been processed.

Expected Deliverables:

• 60 human-interest stories
• 4 Media Narratives
• 24 Talking Points
• 4 Programme Narratives
• 24 Speeches for High-Level Events
• 4 study cases

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results:

• Completion of tasks specified in TOR.
• Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables.
• Quality of work assessed as per the briefing.
• Demonstration of high standards in cooperation and communication with UNICEF and counterparts.

Experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years of professional writing and editing experience, preferably within humanitarian, development, or advocacy contexts.
• Excellent command of English and Urdu, with demonstrated writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Familiarity with child rights, public health, or development communication is an asset.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deliverables under tight deadlines.

Language: Fluency in English and Urdu (Oral and Written) required.

Payment Schedule:

All payments, without exception, will be made upon certification from the supervisor of the contract, of the satisfactory and quality completion of deliverables and upon receipt of the respective and approved invoice.

Travel costs will be reimbursed on actual expenditures and upon presentation of original supporting documents.

Conditions:

The consultancy will be on a roster basis over a valid roster period of 24 months; however, the consultant will only be engaged as and when needed upon which the consultant will be issued with a contract.

The consultant is not entitled to payment for overtime, weekends, or public holidays.

Standard penalty clauses will also apply for late and poor-quality deliverables.

Disclaimer

• MicroMerger reserves the right to reject any or all applications or change the number of positions at any stage without assigning any reason or as per requirements.
• Any Candidate/Applicant who attempts to or influences the recruitment process or the Selection Panel by any means shall be disqualified immediately.
• MicroMerger will not consider applicants not fulfilling the requirements/criteria mentioned above.
• Incomplete applications will not be entertained.
• MicroMerger reserves the right to cancel the whole hiring process at any stage without mentioning any reason.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for tests and/or interviews via call or Email.
• MicroMerger provides equal opportunity to all qualified Males & Females candidates. Females are encouraged to apply. 
• All jobs are of visual nature.
• Recruitment will be made on a contract basis, extendable based on arising needs
• Shortlisted candidates will have to bring their CVs, attested copies of CNIC, certificates, experience certificates and educational qualifications at the time of the interview
• No TA/DA or any expense would be admissible during the whole hiring process including interviews, tests etc
• There will be no provision of official laptop or any other such device, the individual selected has to utilize their own machine.