CONSULTANT - FRENCH EDITOR

Parent Sector: Natural Sciences Sector (SC)
Type of contract: Duration of contract: Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time): 05-NOV-2025

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNESCO and the Government of Italy for the implementation of the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) WWAP seeks the services of a qualified individual specialist to support the 2026 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR 2026) tentatively titled Water and Gender Equality for editorial management translation oversight copyediting proofreading and layout in accordance with UNESCO standards and production timelines .
Oversee Editorial and Layout Process French Edition (UN WWDR 2026)
Finalize the terms of reference for translation services in coordination with the WWAP secretariat.
Support theWWAP secretariat in the selection of the professional translation company.
Transmit the final English text of the UN WWDR 2026 (full report Executive Summary and Facts and Figures for translation with clear instructions).
Serve as the focal point with the translation company throughout the process handling all terminology and technical queries.
Liaise with the graphic designer to ensure that the layout adheres to the English template and that the French version is finalized on schedule for ISBN application.
Submit ready-to-print French files to the WWAP Secretariat in accordance with WWAPs production calendar
Copyedit and Proofread the French Edition (UN WWDR 2026 and related material; Copyedit the translation and all related materials prior to layout ensuring linguistic accuracy coherence and compliance with UNESCO/UN editorial standards; and confirm consistency across tables figures references and acronyms in full alignment with the English version.
and adapt citations and bibliographic entries to French style conventions where applicable.
Ensure final design and visual quality reviewing typography and layout to confirm correct use of typographical conventions; and verify that all figures maps photographs and tables are visually accurate properly labeled and free from design inconsistencies.

Translation and Editing of Related WWAP Materials (French)
WWAP website and news content;
Communication materials for the Call for Action campaign and UN WWDR 2026 ;
Water and Gender materials (scripts PPTs flyers agendas);
and support the production of the UN WWDR 2026 in theSpanish by:
Providing continuous editorial and production support to the responsible officer and the Publication Assistant throughout the preparation of the Spanish version;
Transmitting the final English text of the UNWWDR 2026 (including the full manuscript and all text embedded in figures and tables) to the partner institution ANEAS (Mexico) with precise and comprehensive instructions regarding translation requirements terminology and formatting standards;
Acting as the primary focal point with the translator or the designated focal point of the partner during the entire translation and proofreading process addressing all technical and linguistic queries and where necessary preparing lists of key references relevant hyperlinks and specialized terminology to ensure uniformity and accuracy;
Ensuring that the translated text received from the partner is complete and fully corresponds to the English original with no omissions or discrepancies in text references figures or tables;
Liaising closely with the graphic designer to ensure that the layout of the Spanish edition conforms to the established template used for the French version and that the finalized files are delivered on time for ISBN application in accordance with the production schedule defined by the WWAP Secretariat.
Planning and organizing (C)
For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework .
Proven track record in editing and proofreading of scientific publications books reports etc. on environmental affairs and water resources management; Strong knowledge of water and environmental terminology and relevant scientific lexicons.
Excellent grammatical knowledge in French and Spanish
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice and may include tests and/or assessments as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference e-mail correspondence etc. UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency technical competence and integrity. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Contract