Consultancy - Technical Writer and Editor Consultant

Overall objective: to strengthen the quality, consistency, accessibilityand visibility of the GCF Knuckles Project’s knowledge products andcommunication outputs, so that Project evidence and results reach and areunderstood by their intended audiences.

Specific objectives:

• Ensure that written outputs of the Project team and partners are clear,accurate, consistent and of publishable standard through technical review,language editing and proofreading.
  
• Produce and edit timely, high-quality news, media, technical content andstorytelling content for the ICRAF Sri Lanka country office and Projectchannels.
  
• Uphold the Project’s house style, terminology and ethical standards inall written communication.
  
  

Summary of responsibilities

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Working arrangements

Work will be requested through short writtentask orders, each stating the product, purpose, audience, length or format,source materials, review points and deadline. The Consultant will confirmacceptance and feasibility of the deadline within [one (1)] working day.Products vary in size and complexity; the scope, effort and fee for each areagreed before work starts, using the unit rates in the Consultant’s financialproposal.

The Consultant will be responsible for the followingtasks:

• Technical review: review draft reports, briefs, papers, trainingmaterials and proposals from the Project team and partners for clarity, logic,completeness and internal consistency of data, figures, terminology andconclusions, and refer technical gaps or queries to the responsible author ortechnical lead. This does not replace scientific peer review.
  
• Copy-editing and language editing: correct grammar, syntax, spelling andpunctuation; improve flow, concision and plain-language readability;standardise terminology, acronyms, headings, tables, figure captions andcross-references; apply the Project style guide and referencing conventions.
  
• Proofreading: check designed layouts and final proofs against approvedtext before printing or publication.
  
• Writing and rewriting: draft or develop from notes, interviews and fieldvisits news items, press releases, feature and success stories, case studies,blogs, newsletter articles, factsheets, executive summaries, key messages,speeches, talking points, web content, captions and social media copy.
  
• Country-office media and news: maintain a content calendar for ICRAF SriLanka news; prepare media advisories and releases for approval; compile mediacoverage and clippings; and support engagement with English, Sinhala and Tamilmedia as directed.
  
• Translation quality review: where applicable, review Sinhala and Tamiltranslations for accuracy, terminology and consistency with the English source,and coordinate corrections with translators.
  
• Fact-checking and verification: verify names, titles, dates, figures,place names, institutional names and quotations, and confirm that necessarypermissions and approvals are obtained.
  
• Ethical and inclusive storytelling: ensure informed consent for quotesand images, dignified and non-stereotyped portrayal of communities, andgender-responsive and socially inclusive language.
  
• Quality assurance: maintain an editing log, style sheet and glossary;use tracked changes and version control; and provide brief editorial notes toauthors to build writing capacity.
  
• Corporate standards and quality: apply the latest Landscape Allianceeditorial and publication guidelines and standards to every deliverable.
  
  

Indicative products andturnaround

Thelist below is illustrative. Actual products, volumes and timelines will bespecified in each task order and may differ from product to product.

Indicative product

Newsitem or press release (up to [500] words)

Indicative turnaround (fromcomplete inputs)

[1–2working days]

Indicative product

Featurestory or case study ([800–1,200] words)

Indicative turnaround (fromcomplete inputs)

[5–7working days]

Indicative product

Copy-editof report (per [10,000] words)

Indicative turnaround (fromcomplete inputs)

[5–7working days]

Indicative product

Technicalreview of a draft output

Indicative turnaround (fromcomplete inputs)

[tobe agreed per task order]

Indicative product

Proofreadingof designed layout (per [20–30] pages)

Indicative turnaround (fromcomplete inputs)

[2–3working days]

Quality standards and technical specifications

• Languageand style: British English unless otherwisespecified; the Project style guide and referencing; plain language suited tothe audience; consistent spelling of Sri Lankan place and institution names.
  
• Responsibleuse of AI tools:unpublished, confidential or personal Project information must not be enteredinto public generative AI tools without prior written approval. Any AI-assistedcontent or imagery must be disclosed to the Project and checked by theConsultant for accuracy, originality and rights.
  
• Imagesand fonts: only original, Project-owned orproperly licensed images, fonts and icons may be used, with licences permittingthe Project’s intended use and recorded for handover.
  
• Reviewrounds: each product includes up to [three(3)] rounds of consolidated feedback within the agreed fee. Further changesarising from new content or a change of direction will be agreed in advance.
  
• Corporate review: toensure consistency in quality, all published materials must undergo qualityreview by the COE team in Bogor before final release.
  

Originally posted on Himalayas