Consultant at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.  In Nigeria, Mercy Corps has worked since 2012 by focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Consultant (Editing, Copyedit, Proof Reading and Design of Life Skills Manual for ENGINE II)
Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Project Overview
The Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE II) programme seeks to transform the future of marginalized girls who are now between ages 17 to 23 by fulfilling their potential in education and work. The project is funded by the UK Department for International Development’s Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC) and is being implemented by a consortium which includes Mercy Corps - lead implementer, Civil Society Organisations, private and public sector organisations.

The state level implementing partners are Action Health Incorporated (AHI) – Lagos State; Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF) – Federal Capital Territory; Kindling Hope Across Nations (KHAN) – Kaduna State and Society for Women Development and Empowerment of Nigeria (SWODEN) – Kano State. The project will follow-up on over 21,000 girls who graduated across the four states in the first phase of the project.

The key approach to working with beneficiaries on the project is the Safe Space methodology deployed in their learning centres. Instructional materials to be used within the learning centres include the Life Skills manual which is a build-up on the one used on ENGINE I.Following series of reviews by expert stakeholders, the manual is ready for the final edit and proof reading prior to printing.

Objectives of the Assignment
The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• Edit, copyedit and proofread the draft Life Skills manual.
• Design and layout of the Life Skills manual.
• Make necessary revisions of the manual.

Scope of Work
The consultant is responsible for and will deliver on the following tasks:

• Edit, proofread, fill in in gaps in the information provided in the manuals.
• Layout and design the Life Skills manual.
• Correct spelling and appropriate use of words with correct grammar and syntax.
• A consistent style and format throughout the document.
• Correct use of English (United Kingdom).
• Elimination of repetition and inconsistencies.
• Appropriate positioning and numbering of boxes, figures and tables where necessary.
• Consistent use of font (s) - as relevant to headings and text.
• Appropriate use of italicized and bolded words.
• Thorough review of annexes (people consulted, bibliography, etc) to highlight incomplete areas along with consistency in presentation.
• Prepare a complete table of Contents and Acronym List in the manual.
• Proof read designed layout files to ensure a complete print ready file.

Deliverables
The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

• One edited, copyedited, proofread and designed Life Skills manual in electronic copy. The final version should adhere to Mercy Corps and ENGINE II’s logo, branding and templates.
• A face to face meeting with ENGINE II staff for presentation of the final results.

Consultant’s Qualification and Profile
Prospective consultants must have:

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in editing and proof reading of reports and technical documents in the areas of adolescent girls and gender.
• Understanding of life skills for adolescent girls and young women.
• Proven record of edited reports, publications or documents;
• Competencies and special skills requirement:
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (United Kingdom).
• Demonstrate strong written communication, research and analytical and ability to rapidly integrate information from various sources.
• Familiar with the concept of life skills in particular is an advantage.
• Proven record/samples of edited and/or written publications, reports and technical documents.
• Ability to work in track changes in Word and PDF files.
• Technical skills in production, editing, and ability to write quickly, clearly and concisely in English (United Kingdom).
• Ability to deliver on time as committed and be responsive to all communications from ENGINE II Programme.

Timeframe and fee

• The assignment is estimated for 7 working days from 30th May 2018. The final report/deliverables should be delivered no later than 7th of June, 2018. The consultancy fee will be paid as a lump sum amount after acceptance of all deliverables.

Reporting Lines:

• The consultant shall work with the ENGINE II Programme under the direct supervision of the Deputy Programme Manager.

Adherence to Mercy Corps principles and policies:

• Once hired, the consultant shall operate under the principles governing Mercy Corps ways of working including adherence to policies and procedures of Mercy Corps with regards to such key issues as non-partisan, neutrality, gender sensitivity, impartiality and accountability, mainstreaming of Gender and Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection as well as other policies governing Mercy Corps confidentiality of information collected.

Confidentiality:

• All materials and data furnished by or on behalf of ENGINE II in connection with this assignment, created or produced shall be treated as confidential information.
• The Consultant shall not, during the continuance of this assignment or at any time thereafter, disclose to any person any confidential information.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send an expression of interest (Maximum 4 pages) demonstrating their suitability for the tasks, samples of previously edited and proof read documents/reports, past experience of conducting similar tasks. The consultants should also send a financial proposal/ budget, including a breakdown of consultants’ daily rates to: ng-submissions@mercycorps.org