Consultanct, Copy Editor For IFRC Emergency Appeals Review

Organizational Context

Job Purpose

• 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.

Contents of Emergency Appeal

• The Emergency Appeals contain text, photos, and infographics. The document is roughly 6 - 8 pages (3,000 – 3,500 words) (The example of published Emergency Appeal for Madagascar Cyclone is here. 8 pages, 3,441 words) 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 30 - 40 pages (The example of published Operational Strategy for Madagascar Cyclone is here. 37 pages, 15,591 words) 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, 33 Emergency Appeals were launched by IFRC secretariat in 2024 and 16 Emergency Appeals were launched in 2025.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• 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.

Contracting Period

Contracting Outputs

• Copy-edited MS Word version of Emergency Appeal and Operational Strategy which is to be sent by email to relevant Operation Coordinators.
• If feasible, it might be required to work on Microsoft Teams space.

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.

Required

• At least three years of experience in similar roles (copy editing).
• ****Preferred****
• Working experience with IFRC or Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• ****Required****
• Strong computer processing skills; proficient in MS Word.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams environment.
• Mastery of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors and ability to make constructive suggestions.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure.

Language

• ****Required****
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Application Instruction