Information & Publications Officer

Our team is currently seeking an Information and Publications Officer to help drive positive change within the Pacific Islands region. In this role, you will oversee a wide range of publishing activities for the Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) that includes identification and solicitation of prospective work through editorial development and review, graphic production, and distribution and marketing. You will also contribute to Center-wide communications efforts that include curating, coordinating, and promoting activities that support and align with EWC communications strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INFORMATION AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

As the Information and Publications Officer, you will plan, design, and direct a comprehensive, integrated publishing program that brings to both scholarly and non-specialist audiences the results of research and related work in a manner that conveys the Center’s credibility and its distinctive perspective on Pacific Islands’ issues. Here are the key responsibilities you can expect in this role:

• Produces the Pacific Islands Report, a major Pacific Region news and information web publication.
• Publishes research reports in collaboration with East-West Center researchers, research interns, and recipients of research awards (grants, fellowships, scholarships, etc.).
• Evaluates audience needs and interests, seeks out and identifies prospective topics and authors, develops proposals, consults with advisory board of Center scholars, and makes decision to publish. Sets standards for and directs editorial development of all three series, assuring a mix of topics that is relevant to EWC audiences; a clear and engaging presentation of ideas that can sometimes be technical, complex, or abstract;
  
  and writing that can successfully compete for the reader’s undivided attention.
• Acquires manuscripts and brings them to publication in appropriate formats (e.g., working paper, occasional paper, book). Seeks out and encourages writers to contribute manuscripts, identifies what would be most interesting and relevant to our readers, and helps distill these ideas into concise manuscripts. Determines whether proposals or unsolicited contributions fall within the scope of PIDP’s publications program. Works in consultation with PIDP’s Director and Deputy Director to develop topics, evaluate proposals, and arrange for review.
  
  Responsible for production and for arranging specialized distribution. Supervises a coordinator or guest editor for special publications as needed.
• Negotiates and executes contracts between the Center and external publishers such as UH Press.
• Directs promotional efforts to raise the visibility of publications and attract authors.
• Collaborates with contributors to publications, including emerging and leading scholars, policymakers, and commentators.
• Collaborates with national/international media, education and research organizations, commercial and educational database companies, and others to broaden the dissemination of publications by placing pieces in media outlets, encouraging reprinting and excerpting of publications for informational purposes, contracting for electronic dissemination, etc.
• Develops policies and procedures relating to copyright in coordination with legal counsel and advises on issues pertaining to the publications.
• Evaluates requests and represents PIDP in negotiations with authors and publishers wishing to obtain permission for material from selected publications.
• Assists with regional meetings in fulfillment of the PIDP’s role as Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL). Must follow protocols appropriate to organizations and their representatives, and utilize the highest level of discretion, when dealing with high level officials and leaders of Pacific Island nations.
• Provides information about PIDP to internal and external audiences. Works with Director and Deputy Director to coordinate engagement in state, national, and regional organizations.

Qualifications and Skills Needed for the Role

Education and Experience – Graduate degree (Master’s or higher) in a field relevant to the position and work performed. At…