Project

Technical Assistance for Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA)

Consultant - Copy editing and Proof Reading of the Oversight Manual of the Bangsamoro Parliament

Position

Project description

In July 2020, the European Union (EU) embarked on a transformative program, the EU Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA), in order to help facilitate the transition process in the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines. The SUBATRA program, funded with 26 Million Euro for a period of 5 years, was offered and signed with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in July 2020.

In support of a peaceful transition to an inclusive Bangsamoro, SUBATRA is contributing to a smooth and undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the 3 branches of the Bangsamoro Government. At its heart, SUBATRA contributes in cultivating an environment that thrives on the principles of good governance with emphasis placed on capacities that are critical and indispensable for the sound operation of interim institutions.

Towards this end, SUBATRA under Output 2 shall focus its support on the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament in the development of its institutional capacity, and in the performance of its functions such as lawmaking, oversight, and representation. In addition, SUBATRA also aims to support the BTA Parliament in providing technical support for the passage of vital legal instruments and codes that will ultimately serve as the institutional foundations of Bangsamoro.

SUBATRA, during its needs assessment of the Bangsamoro Parliament has identified the need to strengthen Parliamentary Oversight through a standard procedure that fits with the Parliament’s legal framework as one of its priorities of support. The Bangsamoro Parliament is an institution through which the government is held responsible on behalf of the citizens. It is important for the Bangsamoro Parliament to strengthen their legally-mandated roles, i.e., representation, legislation and oversight in a most effective manner. Parliamentary oversight is one of the major functions of the parliament, through which the Parliament ensures that government policy and action are both efficient and commensurate with the needs of the public.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) defines the parliamentary oversight as: “the review, monitoring and supervision of government and public agencies, including the implementation of policy and legislation”. Thus, the parliamentary oversight is crucial in checking financial and policy excesses on part of government. An effective oversight can contribute to a more stable and democratic political system, improved public finances, high impact aid development efforts, advancement of gender equality and human rights, and reduction or elimination of corruption.

Currently, the BTA Parliament is utilizing some aspects of the oversight tools but requires a recommendation of most effective oversight tools and mechanism that are being deployed by the parliamentarians around the world. Some of these tools and mechanisms are broadly outlined in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and other regulatory texts such as the parliament's Rule of Procedures. Thus, there is a need for the Parliamentary Oversight Manual to guide the processes towards implementation of some of the most effective oversight tools, approaches, methodologies for promoting accountability and transparency

Against this backdrop, SUBATRA, through its Team Leader and the Parliament Expert, and in close cooperation with several Members of Parliament (MPs) has already developed a comprehensive “Oversight Manual of the Bangsamoro Parliament”. However, this Manual needs to be fine-tuned, proof-read and edited in such a way that it will be more user-friendly and in accord with a scholarly writing.

In fine, the technical support can be done through the engagement of a consultant provide high-quality copyediting and proofreading of the above-said Manual. Thus, the role of the consultant shall play an important role will incorporate substantive language editing, which aims at improving the overall coverage and presentation of the product, its content, scope, length, level and organization. The editor may also suggest improvements for the author(s) to make or may (by agreement with the author(s)) rewrite and rearrange the material. Copyediting should include all graphs, tables, figures and appendices.

Job description

Working under the supervision of the Team Leader of SUBATRA and the Chair of the Justice Committee of the Bangsamoro Parliament, the consultant will provide technical support to the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Policy Research and Legal Service (PRLS) undertaking the proof- reading and copy editing of the Oversight Manual of the Bangsamoro Parliament.Specific tasks will include:

  • Review and edit the 300-350 pages document for the content and flow;
  • The editor will be responsible for editing the Manual’s chapters and narrative sections with a view to ensure: clarity and continuity of the argument and political focus of the report; clarity of structure and core themes of the report; internal consistency, both analytical and stylistic;
  • Ensure the clear presentation and format of the material for the typesetter/designer;
  • Align Content page numbering with body of document;
  • The technical editing and copy-editing will concentrate on flow and clarity of argument, sequencing, consistency, especially between text and tables and figures and integration of text and boxes, content errors, style and punctuation, spelling and grammar;
  • The copy-editor shall ensure that the data used and referenced in the text are consistent with the data in the respective tables, figures, charts and maps, as well as with the indicator tables;
  • Final copy editing and proof read the 300-350 pages document; and
  • Insert references either footnote of bibliography as per the global standards
Note: SUBATRA TAT will reserve the right to comment on the draft document before finalizing it.

Requirements

General Qualification and Skills 

  • Advanced university degree in creative writing, journalism, or related relevant fields;
  • At least 5 years of experience in writing journals, books, publications or other related fields;
  • Excellent knowledge of book or journal writing;
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in gathering, section editors, writers, photo documenters, lay-out artists, and researchers, and analyzing data;
  • Experience in working with governments, institutions, and political leaders;
  • Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and understanding in taking on consultancy for development projects;
  • Familiarity with the Bangsamoro region is strongly preferred;
  • Understanding of development issues in Bangsamoro;
  • Fluency in spoken and written English including excellent writing skills, particularly in being able to write documents (such as reports) concisely; and
  • Fluency/knowledge of at least one local language is desirable but not required.
Specific Professional Experience
  • At least 5 years of experience in writing journals, books or other related fields;
  • Excellent knowledge of BARMM administration; and
  • Experience in implementing EU projects will be an asset.

Additional information

The place of posting of the consultant shall be home-based and partly at Cotabato City, Philippines. Limited office space may be provided in the beneficiary institution.

The assignment is expected to start in November 2023, for a total of ten (10) working days. Particip reserves the right to postpone the start or end date of the assignment based on the timetable of the beneficiary.

 ASEAN region, Asia

 Philippines

Attachments

Duration of assignment

23/11/2023 - 23/12/2023

Deadline for applications

19/11/2023

Job type

short term

Job status

implementation

Project reference

19-0138-000-PHL-SUBATRA

Apply for job

To apply please contact Francesca Ferrari by filling in the form below.

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