JOB DETAILS
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- *Type of contract :** Consultant Contract
- *Level :** Level 2 - Middle
- *Hiring Unit :** Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
- *Duty Station :** Perugia
- *Work location :** Remote
- *Duration of contract :** 11 months
- *Hiring open to :** External candidates
- *Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) :** 26/04/2026
- *UNESCO Core Values:** Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism BACKGROUND The United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) is UNESCO's flagship publication on freshwater, serving as an authoritative source of information and a key reference for informing water-related policies and strategies globally, regionally, and nationally. Produced by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) on behalf of UN-Water, the report synthesizes the work of 30 UN agencies and international partners. The UN WWDR 2027 will focus on the critical theme of \"Water and Health,\" exploring the intricate linkages between water resources, sanitation, hygiene, and public health outcomes worldwide.
\nFounded in 2000 by UNESCO, The UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) of UNESCO equips water managers and key decision-makers with the data, knowledge and analytical tools needed to inform policies that improve the management, supply and quality of global freshwater resources. The primary product of the WWAP Secretariat is the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR), the flagship report of UN-Water on global water issues. The report is produced annually on a dedicated theme. WWAP produces the UNWWDR in collaboration with several members and partners of UN-Water.\n
Because these contributions and inputs originate from diverse institutions, they vary in style, depth, technical detail and analytical approach. To produce a coherent, evidence-based and policy-relevant report, these inputs must be carefully harmonized to ensure consistency in messaging, clarity for the intended audience and integrity of the overall narrative. This process requires the involvement of a specialized editor, responsible for integrating the different contributions into a unified publication that meets the scientific, editorial and communication standards of UNESCO and the UN system. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
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OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The primary objective of this assignment is to provide comprehensive editorial guidance and quality assurance for the UN World Water Development Report 2027. The editor will be instrumental in ensuring the report's scientific accuracy, coherence, clarity, and adherence to UN editorial standards, making it accessible and impactful for a diverse global audience. SCOPE OF THE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Under the overall authority of the Coordinator of the United Nations World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) and the direct supervision of the WWAP Process Coordinator, the Technical Editor will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following tasks:
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- *Editorial Strategy and Guidance :** Develop and implement an editorial strategy for the UN WWDR 2027, ensuring a consistent voice, style, and messaging throughout the report, particularly concerning the \"Water and Health\" theme. This involves ensuring quality standards for content production and publication (especially at the copyediting and proofreading stage);
\nContent Review and Enhancement Conduct thorough technical and linguistic editing of all chapters and sections of the report, including the Executive Summary, Facts and Figures, and supplementary materials. This includes developing original, evidence-based content; editing existing material based on contributions submitted by the UN-Water family and project partners; repurposing existing content into new formats; and editing and rewriting partner contributions to streamline the content, identify complementarities, and fill gaps. It also entails researching and following complementary publications in the literature in order to develop content that is relevant, cutting-edge, and engaging.\n
- *Preparation of contents:** Draft forewords, preface and any other section (front end matter), communication material (press release, web articles, speeches etc.) for the WWDR and support development of similar contents for other WWAP publications, as per management request.
- *Coherence and Integration :** Ensure seamless integration of contributions from various sections authored by different UN (Lead) agencies, harmonizing diverse writing styles and ensuring thematic coherence across all sections of the report.
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REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
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- *Clarity and Accessibility :** Edit complex scientific and technical information into clear, concise, and accessible language suitable for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
- *Adherence to UNESCO’s editorial Standards :** Ensure strict compliance w