About The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa, founded in 1988 to pursue policy oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable (STI) development. ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social and environmental future for Africa through STI and is committed towards supporting African countries and institutions through 5 programmatic areas: Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security (AFNS), Climate Resilient Economies (CRE), Science, Technology, Innovation, Knowledge and Society (STIKS), Digital Innovation and Knowledge Economy (DIKE) and Gender, Youth and Inclusive Development (GYID).
Project Overview
The Blue Empowerment Project, implemented under the Climate Resilient Economies (CRE) Programme, is a low-carbon, gender-transformative initiative aimed at empowering fisherwomen in Kenya’s coastal region. By adopting climate-smart integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) of seaweeds and fish, the project seeks to improve livelihoods and resilience. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and Kenya Vision 2030.
The project’s core objectives include:
- Profiling gender-responsive challenges, potentials, and opportunities for the commercial and sustainable adoption of fish-seaweeds IMTA.
- Mapping socio-technical pathways to support enabling policies, technology uptake, and governance frameworks for IMTA adoption and fisherwomen empowerment.
- Designing, testing and optimizing gender-transformative fish-seaweeds IMTA solutions for socio-economic empowerment and climate change resilience.
- Promoting knowledge translation, dissemination and learning for IMTA systems upscaling and responding to climate change in Kwale and Kilifi counties.
The project consortium includes the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Bahari CBO, Kenyatta University, Sea Moss Corporation, and the people of Kilifi and Kwale Counties.
Call for Editorial and Design Services
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) seeks a skilled consultant to professionally edit, copy edit and design/layout a knowledge product on Lessons from the Blue Empowerment Project. The aim is to produce a high-quality 60-pager, publication-ready document within one month.
Scope of Work
The consultant will:
- Edit and copy edit the document for clarity, coherence, grammar, punctuation and style.
- Ensure consistent formatting, references (APA 7th edition), headings, tables, and figures.
- Design and layout the document to make it visually appealing and reader friendly.
- Develop graphic elements such as charts, tables and infographics as needed.
- Provide final publication-ready versions in editable and PDF formats.
Deliverables
- Edited and copy-edited draft (Track Changes version with comments).
- Graphic-enhanced, publication-ready version with professional layout.
- Editable source files (InDesign, or equivalent).
- Editorial and design report summarizing major revisions and recommendations.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in English, Communication, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Graphic Design, or related field.
- Proven experience in editing and copy-editing research-based publications.
- Strong graphic design and layout skills (InDesign, Canva, Illustrator, or equivalent).
- Excellent command of English and academic/professional formatting standards.
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality outputs.
Timeline
- Total consultancy duration: 1 month
- Draft edited document: 28th December 2025
- Draft with design/layout: 6th January 2026
- Final publication-ready document: 10th January 2026
Payment
Payment for this consultancy will be made in three installments:
- 30% upon delivery of the edited and copy-edited draft (Track Changes version with comments).
- 30% upon delivery of draft graphic-enhanced version with professional layout.
- 40% upon delivery of final publication-ready document, editable source files (InDesign, or equivalent) and report summarizing major revisions and recommendations.
Application Requirements
- CV and brief proposal outlining approach.
- Samples of previous editing and design work.
- Proposed consultancy fee.
Submission Deadline: 1st December 2025
Send applications via e-mail to: consultancy@acts-net.org with a copy to F.Makayoto@acts-net.org
