Result of ServiceUNCCD publications and documents are edited on time and in accordance with United Nations editorial rules. Work LocationHome based Expected duration6 weeks between 15 August to 15 October 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) makes arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and provides them with services as required. One of the secretariat’s key functions is the compilation and publication of reports for the information and guidance of delegates at the COP and meetings of its subsidiary bodies. Following the offer of the Government of Panama, the twenty-third session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23) will take place from 1 to 5 December 2025 in Panama City. The Governing Bodies and Legal Affairs Unit is in charge with planning and general coordination of core meetings of the UNCCD process. Due to the absence of an in-house editor conference services are seeking for editing services in order to handle the volume of UNCCD CRIC 23 pre-session documentation and publications as needed. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Conference Affairs Officer and daily guidance of the Editorial Assistant, the contractor shall assist the UNCCD secretariat by providing editorial services for official CRIC 23 pre-session documentation and publications The contractor will take care of meeting the established deadlines while performing the following activities: Edit, in English, UNCCD official documents and publications ensuring accuracy, clarity, cohesion and conformity with United Nations standards, policy and practice; Carry out more extensive editing where required and in agreement with the author units, including rewriting and restructuring parts of texts for greater readability and better logical sequence; Proof-reading of layout files of the reports and summaries. The editor will oversee the implementation of the UN editorial guidelines. The contractor will perform the outlined activities with the understanding that the proposed editing is of an advisory nature and that final responsibility for the language in official documents lies with the author units. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, communications, journalism, international affairs or a related field; Three to five years’ professional experience in writing, editing or electronic publishing at the international level is required; Experience and demonstrated skills in editing United Nations documentation in the areas of environmental sciences is an asset; Good knowledge of United Nations conferences and meetings and the organization of work related thereto is an asset. LanguagesA thorough command of English, which must be the candidate's main language. Solid writing and analytical abilities with sensitivity to nuance. Ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match audience. Additional InformationOnly individuals who can act as independent, individual economical operators are qualified to apply. Individuals who can provide their services only on account of an institution or enterprise are not eligible under this procedure. Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations Secretariat 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. Consultant and individual contractor is responsible for determining tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 10 or newer) or Mac (with the latest MacOS update), as well as a reliable, high-speed internet connection. An Office 365 license will be provided by the UNCCD to enable the candidate to access official emails, SharePoint, OneDrive and other office applications, such as Word and Excel. Further computer requirements: An antivirus application which receives regular updates; Browsers must be a newer version with regular updates enabled; Regular Windows 10 updates should be enabled with Windows laptop or PC. In addition, a mobile phone will be required to enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) through SMS or the Authenticator App. No FeeTHE 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.