Consultant, Copy Editor for IFRC Emergency Appeals Review

Terms of Reference

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking one or more copy editor (s) to ensure a high level of quality and consistency of its Emergency Appeals (and related documents) which serve as promotion/marketing document for fundraising.

Objective of the IFRC Emergency Appeals

• IFRC launches Emergency Appeals to derive support (voluntary funds) for its emergency response operations. Emergency Appeals are an international marketing and positioning document launched by the IFRC at the request of a National Society to promote an operation to the external audience to generate funding.
• Emergency Appeals are complemented by Operational Strategies which provide a clear vision on the overall approach and specific response actions to be taken.
• Both documents are posted on IFRC website after approval and copy editing.
• The templates for Emergency Appeals and related Operational Strategies are currently under revision which is to be finalized early 2022.

Contents of Emergency Appeal

• The Emergency Appeals contain text, photos, and infographics. The document is roughly 5 pages (1,000 – 1,500 words) [1] but it depends on the context. Revised Emergency Appeals are expected to be longer.
• The Operational Strategy, which ideally should be published within 7 days after the Emergency Appeal publication, contains text, photos, infographics, funding requirement visual, and timeline. The document is roughly 12 pages[2] but could be more. Revised Operational Strategy are expected to be longer.
• Emergency Appeals and Operational Strategies are written in English.
• The number of Emergency Appeals to be copy edited during a contracting period depends on the humanitarian situation. For instance, 23 Emergency Appeals (including seven revised Emergency Appeals) were launched by IFRC secretariat in 2021 (as of 9 November).

Roles and Responsibility – copy editing

The Copy Editor will be responsible for editing the document electronically in MS Word format, with all changes tracked within a very limited timeline. The document to be copy edited will be shared by IFRC Geneva Operation Coordinators by e-mail.

• Copy editing would review Emergency Appeal, Operational Strategy, revised Emergency Appeal and revised Operational Strategy documents in order to :

• ensure coherency and relevance of the narrative and structure as per EA and OS guidance documents

• propose modifications to the text to increase clarity and readability when deemed important

• shorten part of the documents if requested by the Operations Coordinators (always ensuring coherency and relevancy of information included)

• ensure that the content and format of documents submitted follow IFRC standards

• ensure correct and consistent spelling, grammar, syntax, acronyms, punctuation, consistent style for text, footnotes, terminology, bibliographies and headings, gaps in text etc.

• ensure proper section headings, tables, picture captions, page numbering, running headers and footers, and referencing, applying the IFRC style guide

• The Copy editing should be completed within a timeframe specified below;

  • Emergency Appeal – within 6 hours after the document is shared by IFRC Operations Coordinators

  • Operational Strategy – within 6 hours after the document is shared by IFRC Operations Coordinators

  • Revised Emergency Appeal – within 24 – 48 hours after the document is shared by IFRC. Timeframe could be extended in agreement with the IFRC Operations Coordinators

  • Revised Operational Strategy – within 48 – 72 hours after the document is shared by IFRC. Timeframe could be extended in agreement with the IFRC Operations Coordinators

  *The copy editing maybe be required at night and over the weekend as well (Geneva time).*

• The copy editing should be made in a close coordination with respective Operation Coordinators in IFRC Geneva *

• The selected candidate will be required to participate in an induction process where IFRC templates and standards will be presented and discussed in details.

Required skill

• At least three years of experience in similar roles (copy editing)
• Strong computer processing skills; proficient in MS Word
• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English)
• Mastery of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and ability to make constructive suggestions
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure
• Working experience with IFRC or Red Cross Red Crescent Movement preferred

Contracting period

• The consultancy for Copy Editor for the Emergency Appeal and Operational Strategy is for 3 months starting the 1^st of December 2021 (renewable).

Contracting Outputs

• Copy-edited MS Word version of Emergency Appeal and Operational Strategy which is to be sent by email to relevant Operation Coordinators.

Schedule of payment of fees

• TBC

Management Consultancy

• Overall management of consultancy will be provided by Manager, Operations Coordination, IFRC Geneva.
• Operations Coordinators IFRC Geneva will be main contact persons on each copy editing.

[1] The recently published Emergency Appeal for South Sudan floods here. 5 pages, 1190 words.

[2] The recently published Operational Strategy for South Sudan floods is here. 15 pages, 6329 words.