Technical Writer (Retainer)

UNOPS South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership 

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  Agreement objectives.

ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas.

Technical Writer

The Technical Writer will be home-based and is part of ETP’s retainer pool. This is not a full-time position. Retainers are engaged to carry out tasks on an intermittent basis, called upon to work when needed or as planned. There are no guaranteed minimum working hours or days.

The Technical Writer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, and collaborate closely with ETP Senior Communications Officer and programme team. S/he will develop a workplan upon signing the contract, and can update the workplan periodically to adjust to ETP’s needs and requirements. Specifications and deadlines for each individual assignment will be given as and when the services are requested.

The Technical Writer will support the development of a suite of written materials, including annual/semi-annual reports, knowledge and outreach products, business development proposals, case studies, etc. The Technical Writer also ensures that the narratives clearly reflect and align with ETP’s Results-Based Monitoring Framework (RBMF). The primary objectives are to articulate ETP’s programme results and impact for the targeted audiences*, and contribute to ETP’s fundraising efforts.

• Review ETP programme/project documents, reports, data, and other materials to gain an understanding of ETP’s areas of work as well as energy transition thematic topics in general;

• Gather and synthesize data and information, outline the appropriate structure for the document and draft content, in close coordination with ETP staff and relevant stakeholders to ensure inputs are accurately captured and incorporated;

• Ensure the accuracy and consistency of the messages and narratives in demonstrating the impact of ETP's activities and results;

• Ensure the narrative drafting and data analysis are result-based, i.e., being grounded in ETP's Theory of change and RBMF, demonstrating linkages between the activities/results and the anticipated outcomes and impacts;

• Ensure the written content and ETP’s overall message are clear, accurate, consistent and comprehensible for non-technical audiences;

• Participate in programme team meetings to acquire insights and updates  on energy transition thematic topics as well as the country/regional’s geopolitical contexts relevant to ETP’s work;

• Support with the proofreading of external-facing content intended for various audiences, ensuring linguistic and grammatical accuracy as well as adherence to ETP Communications and Branding guidelines;

• Work collaboratively and/or coordinate meetings/interviews as required with ETP staff to develop and refine written content based on feedback;

• Perform other writing, editing or proofreading support, as needs arise.

*Note: the primary audience are ETP funders, and the secondary audiences include government partners, development partners, other stakeholders working in the sector, and the general public.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or similar) or higher degree in English Language, English Literature, Journalism, Communications and/or Media Studies, Environmental studies or any related field is required.

• A first University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the afore-mentioned fields with additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in technical writing and editing or similar role is required.

• Understanding of or experience in climate change or energy transition topics is desirable.

• Experience of working with the UN and/or EU editorial style guide is desirable.

• Strong research and analytical skills are highly desirable.

• Good knowledge of Google-suite applications is desirable.

• As part of the application, the candidate must submit at least two (2) samples of written work, preferably a report or publication that has been published.

• This is not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.
• When the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) hasn't established the National Professional Officer (NPO) category in a duty station, a home-based International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) can be used instead.
• For home-based position, it will be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connections, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS). 
• For home-based positions, candidates must have the necessary permissions to work in their home base location without sponsorship from UNOPS.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.