About InterAction:  

InterAction is the largest U.S. based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with 180+ members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, private foundation and corporate grants, and a fee-for-service program portfolio. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change – that advance human dignity, human potential, and self-determination. 

To learn more about InterAction's mission, DEI approach, values and more visit the link below: https://www.interaction.org/about-interaction/interactions-approach-to-diversity-equity-inclusion/ 

Who We Are - InterAction 

Summary: 

InterAction is looking for a consultant Copyeditor. The selected candidate will lead the final review, editing and proofreading of two online training materials and local leadership research publication as described below, in consultation with InterAction.  

The copyeditor will work on two training curriculums and one report on local response leadership, as described below: 

1. Wider Impacts of Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Assistance. 

Background: Humanitarian shelter and settlements (S&S) assistance strives to meet one of the most essential and often lifesaving needs of the conflict and disaster affected communities. Even the most basic S&S assistance can contribute to a sense of normalcy, improve physical and legal protection, support psychological and socio-economic conditions as well as provide access to essential services such as health, WASH, education, livelihood, legal rights and more.  However, the interlinks between and overarching contributions of S&S assistance and other sectoral efforts are often overlooked. Wider Impacts of Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements training will assist InterAction Members and the humanitarian community to understand, collaborate and advocate for better programming and policy.  

The Wider Impacts of Shelter and Settlements Assistance1 (InterAction, 2020) has done a systematic review of published reports and research findings and has identified significant contributions of S&S assistance as well as gaps in knowledge and understanding among humanitarian actors. This publication has been well received among many humanitarian and development actors, including donors, government institutions and academics. The Roadmap for Research2 (InterAction, 2021) further reinforced the links between multiple humanitarian outcomes.  

The proposed curriculum will capture the essential messages from these publications in an approx. 60-minute online course (estimated 60 slides and corresponding narrator’s script – approx. 30 pages). It will be based on the previous trainings developed by InterAction (S&S Online Training).  It is expected that the course will consist of a maximum of three short modules.  

1. Settlements Approach Guidance Note online training 

Background: The Urban Settlements Working Group (USWG) aims to identify best practices and lessons learnt within the humanitarian response. It promotes a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder, whole of population approach in socially defined areas to increase impact and efficiency in humanitarian responses. The USWG will continue to develop and promote best practices and tools to assist agencies. The proposed online training is one of the tools that will be available for practitioners, policy makers and donors to understand and apply the concepts in the Guidance note.  

This USWG was formed and managed by Impact Initiatives (IMPACT), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and InterAction, currently hosted under the Global Shelter Cluster, with over 50 agencies regularly participating in webinars, case studies, and consultations. 

The online curriculum is designed to improve the awareness and potential adaptation of humanitarian assistance by applying the Settlements Approach. It should clearly demonstrate the positive impacts of multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral collaboration to the learners and their organizations. The course will cover and address all phases of the humanitarian response contexts and timeline, including preparedness, response, recovery, and coordination. 

The curriculum will form the basis for approx. two hours of online training, with approx. 120-150 slides and accompanying narrator’s scripts estimated to be around 8- pages. 

1. Local Response Leadership in S&S Assistance 

This publication will capture the essence of the local perspectives in humanitarian response, with the focus on S&S assistance. The report will include a summary of consultations, survey findings, and recommendations. Additional information will be available to the selected consultant as the initiative gets started in Mid-2022. 

The report is expected to be about 60 pages. 

The consultant will: 

• Clearly understand the objectives and target audience, familiarize with the editing processes, InterAction’s style sheet, and branding standards (Style sheet and branding guidelines will be provided) 
• Work with Curriculum development consultants, InterAction focal points, and Articulate course developer.  
• Be familiar with the Humanitarian, and specifically S&S terminologies.  
• Conduct further in-depth review, with a focus on both content, narrative, and style of language 
• Prepare an agreed style sheet as needed to promote consistent terminology and formatting throughout the documents. 

• Review all draft chapters and comments. Undertake all necessary final edits and remaining content inclusions.  
• Ensure clarity, consistency and flow within the overall curriculum and between each chapter 
• Highlight any apparent contradictions, overlaps or gaps in content and provide solutions to address them 
• Carefully review and rectify grammatical and formatting errors 
• Maintain regular communication with InterAction’s focal point, and Comms team when required 

• Ensure that the editorial approach reflects InterAction shelter, settlements, and related humanitarian sectoral stakeholders’ input 
• Be familiar with plain language editing 
• Be proactive in identifying issues, resolve them, and deliver final product within the stipulated time. 

Planned timeline and duration: 

This consultancy is expected to be carried out at the earliest in April 2022 up to April 2023. One or more consultancies will be awarded based on availability and flexibility. Work is to be carried out remotely. It is preferred the consultant is flexible within the stated time frame and accommodate changes in timeline. InterAction will communicate changes in timeline as soon as possible. Timeline, duration, and TOR are subject to modification and will be discussed with finalists. 

Applications: 

Interested applicants are required to submit: 

• A statement of interest or cover letter – Please specify commitment to meet the deadline, expected renumeration per day, and number of days proposed 

• A resume - highlighting knowledge and prior experience in editing/proofreading humanitarian publications. 

Please submit your application to jobs@interaction.org preferably  by 08th March 2022, with “Copyeditor-S&S publications-LAST NAME” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

NOTE: Please read the background to the two trainings below: 

https://www.interaction.org/blog/more-than-four-walls-and-a-roof/ 

https://www.interaction.org/blog/the-settlements-approach-guidance-note/