Jobs at the International Potato Center

Position Title: Managing Editor

About International Potato Center

The International Potato Center is a research facility based in Lima, Peru, that seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweet potato, other root and tuber crops, and on the improved management of natural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas.

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead the development and monitoring of the editorial and publishing strategy to ensure quality and standards appropriate for CIP outputs.
• Strengthen the delivery of effective workflows for the production and dissemination of CIP outputs through the development of relevant policies and procedures and oversight of the process, ensuring consistency of style, production quality and suitability for audiences.
• Also, identify and maintain a cadre of high-quality writers, editors, proofreaders, and multimedia content producers.
• Manage the preparation of the CIP Annual Report, including story selection and messaging, writing and editing, supervision of consultants. Also, provide direction for print and web versions of the report.
• Oversee the development of high-impact multimedia content (video, audio, infographics, data visualizations) for use by research leaders, senior management, fundraisers, etc. in promoting CIP’s work to its target audiences.
• Work closely with scientists to synthesize research outputs through high-quality writing and editing into a variety of formats for multiple audiences—such as outcomes stories—demonstrating the case for investment in CIP.
• Supervise the maintenance of the style and branding guides for CIP communications material.
• Support CIP participation in high-level events, developing communications plans. Also, coordinating the production and dissemination of targeted content on CIP channels.
• Leverage the capacities of partners to raise awareness of CIP objectives and outcomes.  Similarly, act as a mentor and coach to communications staff, especially those with writing and editorial roles.
• Contribute to the CIP-wide communications community of practice, sharing and communicating work updates and lessons, participate in department learning. Also, assist in reviewing and planning activities and ensure that these activities follow the center’s standards and agreed on channels.
• Furthermore, perform additional duties if necessary.

Requirements

• Preferably a Master’s degree in Communications or a related field with 7 years of international experience. However, candidates with a bachelor’s degree with 10 years of progressive international experience in similar research and/or development organizations can also apply.
• Experience in communications, information/knowledge management, public awareness or publishing, ideally in international development and/or a scientific setting experience. Also, experience engaging with communications ‘clients’ and partners and delivering products and services in busy and time-pressed environments.
• Previous experience in the implementation of communications strategies.
• Similarly, experience in contributing to the development and implementation of communications at an organizational level and engaging with multidisciplinary teams across diverse locations and in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated people management and team-building skills. Similarly, demonstrated experience translating complex information into various formats and messages for diverse audiences.
• Furthermore, strong written communication skills in English, with a knowledge of Spanish preferred.