Services: English-language copy-editing of DRI publications, reports, and written outputs
Form of Employment: Freelance consultancy contract (framework contract)
Closing date: 19 June, 18:00 CET
Contract start date: 1 July 2026
Contract duration: 2 years with possibility of extension.
Location: Remote
Background
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies, and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.
DRI produces a substantial volume of written outputs in English: research reports, policy briefing papers, factsheets, web articles, newsletters, annual reports, and advocacy materials. These are produced across a growing portfolio of active projects spanning the rule of law in the European Union, digital democracy, democratic governance in Ukraine, civil society strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa, and political processes across the MENA region and Southeast Asia.
DRI’s Communications team (based in Berlin HQ) coordinates the editing and public communications of these materials in close collaboration with programme teams. DRI is building a roster of trusted, experienced English copy editors who can provide fast and high-quality editorial support on a rolling basis.
Objectives
DRI is seeking an experienced English-language copy editor to join its pool of external editorial consultants. The copy editor will support DRI’s Communications team and programme staff in producing polished, professionally written publications and materials that meet DRI’s editorial standards and reflect the organisation’s voice and values.
The copy editor will work under the overall supervision of DRI’s Communications Coordinator and in close cooperation with DRI programme staff, researchers, and authors.
Services to be Provided
Core copy-editing duties
- Copy-edit documents to correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, and style in accordance with DRI’s house style guide (British English, also informed by The Economist Style Guide).
- Review and edit content to improve readability, ensuring that complex policy or research ideas are expressed in clear, plain language suited to a broad, international, non-specialist audience.
- Ensure consistency of terminology, style, and voice across multi-author or multi-section documents.
- Identify and flag inconsistencies in headings, layout, caption conventions, footnote formatting, and cross-references.
- Discuss and resolve substantive editorial queries with authors and the Communications Coordinator; provide light guidance on writing style upon request.
- Proofread final layouts (Word files or PDFs) prior to publication, checking for typographical, formatting, or design-stage errors.
Enhanced duties
- Apply inclusive, bias-free language checks in line with DRI’s gender-sensitive language guidelines, ensuring outputs meet international editorial best practice for non-profit and human-rights contexts.
- Review and refine drafts (some may be AI-assisted) for stylistic coherence, tonal consistency, and adherence to DRI’s voice — flagging any content that is factually uncertain or editorially at odds with DRI’s established standards.
- Ensure formatting compliance with DRI’s visual identity guidelines where relevant, including heading styles, abbreviation handling, citation formats, and footnote conventions.
- Advise the Communications team on persistent style issues or common error patterns observed across a batch of documents to support organisational capacity-building.
Deliverables and Timeline
The volume and frequency of assignments will vary according to DRI’s editorial pipeline. The copy editor will be engaged on an assignment-by-assignment basis under a framework agreement. Typical deliverables include:
- Copy-edited documents returned in tracked-changes format (Microsoft Word) or as otherwise agreed with the Communications Coordinator.
- A brief editorial note for longer assignments (reports, annual publications) summarising key issues, consistent errors, and any unresolved queries flagged for the author. These may also be addressed as in-document commentaries.
- Final proofreading sign-off for selected publications prior to layout or print, as requested.
Typical turnaround times: [2–12 working days] depending on document length, complexity, and urgency. Rush assignments may occasionally be required; these will be agreed in advance.
Required Qualifications and Competencies
- Native or near-native proficiency in English, with a demonstrable command of British English conventions, spelling, and grammar.
- Minimum four years of professional copy-editing or proofreading experience, with a proven track record in publications produced for international, non-profit, policy, or journalistic contexts.
- Thorough familiarity with DRI’s house style (British English, based on The Economist Style Guide); prior experience working with DRI or similar international NGOs is an asset.
- Experience editing documents in the fields of social sciences, political analysis, law, democratic governance, or human rights.
- Excellent attention to detail, a strong editorial eye, and the ability to work accurately under time pressure.
- Ability to work independently, meet tight deadlines, and manage editorial feedback diplomatically with non-native English-speaking authors.
- Familiarity with inclusive and gender-sensitive language guidelines.
- Experience reviewing or copy-editing AI-generated text is considered a strong advantage.
- Individual, registered freelancer or self-employed (required for contracting purposes).
Recruitment and Onboarding Process
DRI follows a structured selection process for new editorial consultants, designed to ensure a high standard of quality and a good mutual fit. The process comprises the following steps:
Application submission
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by the closing date:
- A brief cover letter or expression of interest (maximum one page) describing their editorial experience, typical client base, and approach to copy-editing.
- A portfolio containing at least two copy-edited samples from professional engagements in the past three years. Before-and-after samples are strongly preferred.
- A curriculum vitae or professional profile.
- A financial quotation, including a per-word rate in EUR and, if applicable, a net day rate
Editing test
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a short, timed editing test (approximately 60 minutes). The test will include a short excerpt typical of DRI’s publications — policy analysis, research findings, or advocacy content. Candidates will be assessed on accuracy, consistency, editorial judgement, and their handling of inclusive language and DRI’s style conventions.
Interview
Candidates who pass the editing test will be invited to a short virtual interview (approximately 30 minutes) with DRI Communications staff. The interview will cover editorial approach, experience with similar organisations, availability, and capacity to manage the expected workload.
Onboarding
Selected candidates will receive:
- DRI’s house style guide and relevant formatting guidelines.
- A brief onboarding call with DRI’s Communications Coordinator to discuss DRI’s editorial workflows, turnaround expectations, and communication norms.
- A sample DRI publication for familiarisation with the organisation’s register and content.
The selected candidate(s) will establish a framework contract with DRI and will become part of DRI’s editorial consultant roster. They will be contacted for individual assignments as they arise throughout the year.
Invoicing and Payments
The service provider shall invoice DRI upon the completion of each assignment, referencing the relevant purchase order or framework agreement number. Invoices should clearly indicate the document(s) edited, word count or agreed unit of work, and the applicable rate.
Subcontracting
The service provider shall not subcontract any part of this engagement without prior written authorisation from DRI, nor cause the contract to be de facto performed by a third party.
Freelance status
Applicants must hold a formal freelance status or equivalent business registration that enables them to invoice the organization in accordance with local tax and financial regulations
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents in English no later than 19 June 2026 18:00 CET by filling in this form:
- A brief cover letter or expression of interest (maximum one page).
- A copy-editing portfolio (at least two professional samples; before-and-after preferred).
- A curriculum vitae or professional profile.
- Links or documents of at least 2 past written samples.
- A financial quotation, including a net day rate and/or per-word rate in EUR (please specify whether prices include VAT or not)
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
DRI is committed to diversity and treats everybody equally, independent of gender identity, sex, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, socio-economic status, political opinion (as long as respectful of democratic principles), or any other status protected by the laws in the locations where we operate.
Organisation responsible for this tender:
Democracy Reporting International gGmbH
Elbestr. 28/29
12045 Berlin, Germany
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