Consultancy for Writing, Editing and Production of UNICEF Knowledge Exchange Toolbox

Job Description

Knowledge exchange (also known as knowledge management) is an integral part of UNICEF’s work to support the achievement of development results for children. UNICEF’s Knowledge Exchange Unit provides several kinds of support for knowledge exchange (KE) within the organization and with its partners:

• Assisting staff in the creation and cultivation of knowledge networks.
• Promoting and supporting organizational platforms and processes for the open sharing of relevant knowledge.
• Creating and documenting effective tools and techniques for knowledge exchange and supporting UNICEF offices to use them. These tools will be shared through an online UNICEF knowledge exchange toolbox.

The consultancy relates to the final item above.

A ‘knowledge exchange toolbox’ is a set of tools designed to be used for capturing, sharing, co-developing and/or adapting knowledge – most often, knowledge from experience (know-how), although some tools are also relevant for compiling or working with knowledge consisting of detailed facts or data.

In this context, a ‘tool’ is a method, approach or formula for carrying out a specific knowledge exchange activity. KE tools are of many different kinds, and may describe individual, group, or event-based activities; processes for knowledge creation, capture or adaptation; collaborative problem-solving methods; methods of packaging knowledge; approaches for using IT tools; and more. Examples of knowledge exchange tools include: Peer Assist; Community of Practice; Decision Mapping; Appreciative Inquiry; End of Assignment Report; Anecdote Circle; Knowledge Cafe; Knowledge Jam; etc.

The UNICEF knowledge exchange toolbox will present a variety of tools, each in a standard format, along with supplementary content introducing the toolbox and clarifying the role and application of the tools in the context of the organization’s work. Once completed, the UNICEF knowledge exchange toolbox will be made available in two formats: a PDF publication suitable for printing and a web resource. After the issuance of version 1.0 of the toolbox and the conclusion of this assignment, the toolbox will be continually updated as new tools are added or existing tools revised based on experience.

Content for the UNICEF knowledge exchange toolbox will be drawn from a variety of sources, and adapted/summarized/revised with appropriate attribution. Sources will include:

• Tools/techniques that have previously been written up in various forms within UNICEF.
• Knowledge exchange toolkits/toolboxes that have been developed by various organizations and that are publicly available.
• Other published materials (print or online) that describe and document tools/techniques that may be appropriate for use by UNICEF and its partners.
• New tools that are created and tested by the Knowledge Exchange team.

Some of these materials are on hand. In addition, some further research will be required to identify and obtain additional source materials.

In addition to currently available source materials, the following inputs will be provided by UNICEF to the consultant in order to support the preparation of the toolbox:

• An initial selection (list) of tools for inclusion in the toolbox.
• A draft outline of the complete toolbox.
• A draft standard format and specification for each tool.

The consultant’s role will initially be to assist the KE Unit in finalizing the outline of the toolbox, and the standard format and specification for each tool. Thereafter the consultant will act as primary writer and researcher for the toolbox, authoring the text in accordance with the outline and format, synthesizing source materials, conducting supplementary research as needed, and incorporating technical and editorial feedback on drafts from the KE Unit. Text will be written in English (translation will be a separate project).

The consultant’s primary output will include the complete toolbox text incorporating any required edits provided by the KE Unit. Secondary outputs from the consultant will include the collection of source materials obtained by the consultant during research for the toolbox, and assistance in entry of final approved text into web templates.

During the writing process, KE Unit staff will provide the following inputs and support:

• Technical inputs regarding the workings of any of the tools, their application within UNICEF, their inter-relationships, and other technical/specialized knowledge exchange issues.
• Stylistic and editorial guidance as required, for incorporation into draft texts.
• For selected tools, live testing with staff/partners and summary of results/implications for toolbox text.

An initial PDF layout of the text will be undertaken by the Unit, using draft or near-final portions of the toolbox text (written as described above by the consultant). The consultant and KE Unit staff will jointly review the layout and adjust it appropriately, including any required changes to the text, which the consultant will implement.

After approval of final text, the KE Unit will undertake the PDF production of the toolbox. The consultant will apply any remaining time near the end of the consultancy to assist Unit staff with entry of final text into predefined web templates.

The consultant will need to apply creative thinking and strong writing skills to produce succinct texts that effectively introduce knowledge exchange tools to non-specialist readers, and as far as possible empower the latter to apply them in the course of UNICEF’s development work for children. There is a wide range of tools which could potentially be included; available time and resources will act as limits on the number included in the first version of the toolbox. Thus criteria for evaluating the success of this work include quality of text (succinctness, clarity, explanatory power and comprehensibility by the target audience of UNICEF staff), quantity of tools produced according to the standard format, and timeliness of work.

Conceptualization will take an estimated 5% of the available time.

• Together with the KE Unit, help finalize the standard format for tools and finalize the list of tools to be included and the outline for the complete toolbox.

Writing will occupy an estimated 85% of the available time.

• For each tool, review available source materials and determine, together with the KE Unit, whether they are a sufficient basis for writing up the tool.
  • If not, conduct additional research to identify and obtain further source materials where needed.
  • Prepare drafts of all tools according to standard formats, by synthesizing and adapting source materials, and submit drafts for review.
  • Capture and accommodate any technical or editorial inputs provided during the review or at any other time.
  • Draft supplementary toolbox content (e.g. introduction, list of references, other content) according to the final outline.

Production work will take an estimated 10% of the available time.

• Share advanced draft or near-final text for production of initial PDF layout. Participate in review of layout. Implement any resulting changes to text.
• As time permits, enter final approved text into predefined web templates (to be provided by UNICEF).

Start date: 1 November 2014.
End date: 31 March 2015.

Deliverables:

• Finalized toolbox concepts (format, list of tools, outline).
• Draft text for toolbox (all tools, plus supplementary content such as introduction, list of references, other content according to outline).
• Finalized text for toolbox addressing/incorporating all editorial comments and feedback provided.
• As time permits, entry of final approved text into predefined web templates.

The primary required qualification is at least 7-10 years’ experience in professional/technical writing on topics related to business, management, technology, social science, or current affairs. The consultant must have demonstrated expertise in clearly communicating complex ideas in a business writing context; accurately and succinctly describing processes and procedures to be followed; and conveying interest and enthusiasm.

The following are desirable qualifications, in order of significance: experience with writing about knowledge management or related topics such as social media, online marketing, social mobilization, etc.; experience with international development; experience with UN/public sector organizations; experience with production of publications.

The consultant will be supervised by the KM Specialist in the Knowledge Exchange Unit, Division of Data Research and Policy. The consultant will also work in close collaboration with other KE team members to receive technical guidance.

The consultant will work full time, with meetings and discussions at UNICEF HQ premises in New York, but with the consultant working from home or other out of the office location the remainder of the time. The estimated time in the office would be around 2 days per week. Consultant must provide own laptop but will be provided with access to UNICEF IT systems as needed to perform the assignment.

No travel is envisaged for this consultancy. Should travel become necessary, it will be undertaken according to UNICEF rules.

The consultant will be expected to submit monthly invoices along with brief progress reports, summarizing time worked and tasks accomplished during the month. Payment will be upon approval of the invoice and report. The final monthly payment will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of all outputs listed above under ‘Dates and deliverables’.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P-11 form (which can be downloaded from the UNICEF website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc ) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with the subject line “Knowledge Exchange Toolbox Writer” by 21 October 2014.

Please indicate your daily rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference above.

Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

More Information