Publications Manager, XCEPT

The Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends
(XCEPT) programme is one of the UK government’s flagship conflict research programmes. XCEPT brings together world-leading experts and local researchers to examine conflict-affected borderlands, how conflicts connect across borders, and the drivers of violent and peaceful behaviour.  Funded by UK aid, XCEPT offers rigorous, actionable research to inform policies and programmes that support peace.

The Chemonics-managed part of XCEPT began implementation in mid-2021. A key component of the programme is the XCEPT Research Fund (XRF). This is XCEPT’s flexible, responsive research commissioning platform, delivering journal-quality policy-relevant research.

The XCEPT Publications Manager will work with the XCEPT Research team, editorial and graphic consultant pools and external awardees to deliver and develop research publications encompassing peer-reviewed research paper of academic journal quality, policy briefs, blogs, articles, briefing presentations, and a variety of research reports and other ad hoc outputs.

Key Responsibilities:

Publication Standards and Development

• Develop and maintain publication standards, including editorial style guides and branding guidelines
• Ensure their consistent application across XCEPT’s publishing activities
• Spearhead the development of new publishing solutions for XCEPT to engage different audiences, including academics, policymakers and the general public

Relationship Management

• Cultivate and manage relationships with external freelancers, including peer reviewers, editors and graphic designers
• Foster collaborations with academic publishers to amplify the reach and impact of XCEPT’s research publications

Research Publication Commissioning and Management

• Commission and oversee the publication of outputs resulting from XCEPT research, ensuring adherence to quality standards
• Collaborate with the XCEPT Research team, editorial consultants and graphic design experts to publish research products, including research papers, policy briefs, research presentations, blogs, articles, and a variety of research reports and other ad hoc outputs.

Editorial and Design Support

• Provide editorial and graphic design support, taking the lead on editing and designing projects when required
• Work closely with the editorial and graphic consultant pools to ensure the highest quality outputs

Collaboration and Coordination

• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the XCEPT website is current and contains relevant content
• Provide specialist publishing advice and services to XCEPT and likely Chemonics UK as a whole

Person Specification:

• Proven track record in tailoring research products to policy audiences
• Proven track record of having written, edited and published for a range of different audiences
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining and enhancing publication standards
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple publications simultaneously
• Proficiency in editorial and graphic design tools
• Experience managing a publication process, including tendering, commissioning, quality assuring and overseeing production, with strong attention to detail
• Communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable way

Other

• UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.

Please note: this position is contingent upon funding allocation.