IUCN is a science-based organisation that relies heavily on expertise from across its Membership, Commissions and Secretariat to provide policy relevant advice for sound biodiversity conservation decision-making. Mobilising that knowledge from across IUCN’s constituencies and integrating it into IUCN’s Programme are fundamental aspects of the work of the Science and Knowledge Unit (https://www.iucn.org/theme/science-and-knowledge/our-work). Specifically, the Unit supports the development, standards, integration, and sustainability of knowledge products; connects IUCN to peer networks; and strengthens IUCN’s culture of science and knowledge.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

IUCN publishes 60+ authoritative books and monographs each year, with all of these passing through a formal publications process, evaluation of peer review by an IUCN Editorial Board, and allocation of ISBNs. The Publications Officer serves to maintain this function. In addition, the position supports the periodic revision of IUCN’s formal statutory documentation (e.g. associated with the World Conservation Congress), supports allocations of DOIs and processes for publication of translations, and tracks the output and uptake of IUCN’s science and knowledge.


SPECIFIC DUTIES

1. Co-ordination and technical production of IUCN publications
• Ensure the momentum of work under way on IUCN publications is maintained and that agreed standards for IUCN publications, co-publications and grey literature are being met;
• Update and maintain the IUCN Publishing Guidelines and the IUCN Style Manual;
• Ensure that IUCN publications, co-publications and grey literature adhere to IUCN’s guidelines for branding and logo use, providing support where possible to IUCN Communications for new branding exercises;
• Conduct thorough quality checks for all IUCN publications, co-publications and grey literature, particularly covers and preliminary pages, and ensure that proper technical editing and proof-reading have taken place;
• Maintain the IUCN Photo library, as time allows, by providing photographs to users, and soliciting and adding new photos to the collection;
• Provide advice and assistance to stakeholders about the IUCN publishing process, including advice on scheduling, production, research, commissioning translation, editing and design services, contracts with outside publishers and printing services;
• Advise on and maintain contact list of translators, proof-readers, editors, printers and designers;
• Acquire and archive InDesign and Print files for all IUCN publications;
• As resources allow, promote IUCN publications through attendance at book fairs or other activities relating to publications.

2. Support IUCN Publications Committee
• Coordinate the Committee’s work process, including coordination of revisions to Committee-related documentation and making these available to staff;
• Act as primary point of contact for submission of concept notes for sign-off by the Publications Committee, including advising publication leads on concept note submissions per established criteria and guidelines;
• Organise concept review meetings and communicate Committee decisions back to publication leads;
• Receive post-peer review manuscripts and transmit these to IUCN Publications Committee for clearance; compile responses; transmit clearance and comments by Publications Committee back to those responsible for the publication.

3. Support IUCN Editorial Board and dissemination of IUCN publications
• Act as the primary point of contact for all new IUCN publications and maintain overview of IUCN publications pipeline i.e. by maintaining a chart tracking development of all IUCN publications from proposals to printing, working with project portal and other tools as appropriate;
• Receive solicitations for suggested peer reviewer names and contact details from individuals seeking to publish through IUCN, transmit these to IUCN Editorial Board; compile responses; share these with those making the request;
• Receive post-peer review manuscripts and completed peer-review tracking sheets from individuals seeking to publish through IUCN; transmit these to IUCN Editorial Board; compile responses; transmit sign-off by the Editorial Board back to those responsible for the publication;
• Allocate IUCN ISBNs and DOIs to all IUCN publications once IUCN Editorial Board sign-off completed, register DOIs with Crossref, maintain list of IUCN ISBNs and DOIs overall, and solicit ISSNs, when necessary;
• Maintain records of sign-off process for all IUCN publications;
• In collaboration with the IUCN Librarian, catalogue all new IUCN publications in a timely manner, creating and adding metadata to library records in the IUCN Library System;
• Request print copies of all new IUCN publications;
• Develop and circulate current awareness bulletins for IUCN publications (“Off the Shelf”) to external contacts.

4. Translation support
• Serve as the IUCN focal point for advice and information regarding translation into IUCN’s three official languages (and others as appropriate) to those publishing through IUCN;
• Maintain a list of tried and tested translators available for IUCN documents; in collaboration with IUCN Procurement establish a list of translators once they have been tested;
• Maintain IUCN Glossary of Terms and ensure that it is always current and available to translators; research terminology for translators, and provide them with official translations where they exist;
• Provide official permission to outside parties seeking to translate an IUCN title, including providing design files and reviewing visual identity (incl. IUCN logo use).

5. Statutory documentation
• In coordination with IUCN Union Development Group, support organisation, proofreading, editing and formatting of statutory documentation for the IUCN World Conservation Congress, and organise and oversee translation of this into the three IUCN official languages;
• Manage Documentation Centre at IUCN World Conservation Congress;
• Prepare, in coordination with IUCN Union Development Group, the final documentation emanating from the IUCN World Conservation Congress.