WWAP French and Spanish Editorial Consultant

The consultant will support the 2027 edition of the UN World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) on the theme “Water and Health” by managing editorial processes, overseeing translation, copyediting, and proofreading in French and Spanish editions, ensuring compliance with UNESCO standards and production timelines.

Responsibilities

• Assist the preparation of the finalized terms of reference for translation services in coordination with the UNESCO WWAP Secretariat.
• Support the UNESCO WWAP Secretariat in the selection of the professional translation company, providing technical advice on the quality of the translations.
• Transmit the final English text of the UN WWDR 2027 for translation with clear instructions.
• Serve as the focal point with the translation company throughout the process, handling all terminology and technical queries.
• Liaise with the graphic designer to ensure layout adherence and incorporation of corrections for the French edition.
• Submit ready-to-print French files in accordance with the production calendar.
• Copyedit and proofread the French edition ensuring linguistic accuracy, coherence, and compliance with UNESCO/UN editorial standards.
• Verify technical and referential consistency in the French edition.
• Proofread the layout version for completeness, accuracy, and fidelity to the source.
• Ensure final design and visual quality of the French edition.
• Translate and edit related UNESCO WWAP materials in French.
• Provide continuous editorial and production support for the Spanish edition.
• Transmit final English text to the partner institution for Spanish translation with instructions.
• Act as primary focal point with the Spanish translator addressing technical and linguistic queries.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of the Spanish translated text.
• Coordinate integration of corrections and comments for the Spanish edition.
• Liaise with the graphic designer to ensure layout conformity and timely delivery of the Spanish edition.

Requirements

• University degree in scientific/technical disciplines (such as hydrology, environmental sciences), literature or in a relevant field.
• Proven track record in editing and proofreading of scientific publications, books, reports, etc. on environmental affairs and water resources management; and proficiency in technical document editing and layout coordination.
• Strong knowledge of water and environmental terminology and relevant scientific lexicons.
• Good knowledge of terminology related to gender equality.
• In-depth knowledge of UN (and specifically UNESCO) style guides and editorial standard.
• Excellent grammatical knowledge in French and Spanish.
• Excellent grammatical, stylistic, and organizational skills.
• Capacity to meet tight deadlines and manage concurrent workflows.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Skills

• Scientific editing
• Proofreading
• Technical Document Development
• Layout Coordination
• Water Terminology
• Environmental Terminology
• Gender Equality Terminology
• UNESCO Style Guide
• Editorial Standards
• French Grammar
• Spanish Grammar
• Stylistic Editing
• Organizational Skills
• Deadline Management
• Workflow Management Skills

Languages

French, Spanish, English