Editorial Coordinator

Contract Type: Permanent 0.8% FTE (4 days per week)

Purpose of role

This role involves coordinating and administering two academic journals and maintaining the catalogue and metadata of ODI Global's eLibrary (ODI Global’s institutional repository). The post holder will co-ordinate and administer Disasters, a major quarterly journal reporting on all aspects of disaster studies, policies and management and Development Policy Review (DPR), a leading academic journal in international development, in existence since 1966. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of both journals, enhancing the journals’ reputations as leading international titles in their respective fields, and boost their profiles in order to attract the highest quality article submissions. In addition, the post holder will maintain the ODI Global's eLibrary catalogue and register DOIs and metadata with Crossref. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Manage submissions and peer review for both journals

• Manage online submissions and peer review of the journals (approximately 400 annually for each journal), including allocating submissions to the relevant Editor and peer reviewers in coordination with the lead editor.
• Identify submissions that are beyond the scope of the journals and respond directly or flag to editors to make the desk rejection process more efficient.
• Review iThenticate reports for each paper and inform the Editor of plagiarism concerns. 
• Act as a central point of contact and facilitate the flow of information internally and externally between authors, editors, reviewers and production team. 
• Respond to author queries in a timely fashion, liaising with editors where necessary.
• Remind reviewers of unanswered invitations and overdue reviews, and provide support for peer reviewers including granting extensions, uploading reports. 
• Remind editors of outstanding reviews and papers awaiting decisions.
• Support editors to find appropriate peer reviewers.
• Collate and prepare the accepted manuscripts to send for copy-editing.
• Configure Scholar One to the journals’ needs as required, e.g., altering or eliminating automated correspondence/templates. 
• Manage the transition to a new submission platform (currently planned for May 2025). 

Production

• Liaise with the freelance copy-editors and act as interface between copy-editor and authors.
• Proof the copy-edited articles prior to typesetting as needed.
• Proof the typeset copy using Wiley’s Online Proofing System to check for mistakes introduced at this automated stage, liaising with production team and author.
• Sign off the final version prior to publication. 

Journal management

• Monitor journal performance by forecasting, reporting on and analysing trends in submissions, publication, downloads, citations and income. Present this information at annual editorial meetings.
• Plan and coordinate virtual themed issues in response to emerging issues or topics of current interest. Topics are discussed and agreed at editorial meetings.
• Support the creation and production of special issues, including liaising with authors, guest editors, production team, finance team.
• Publicise new issues of DPR and Disasters within ODI Global and on social media.
• Organise annual editorial board meetings and quarterly Editors’ meetings.
• Manage the day-to-day relationship with Wiley Journal Manager and the production team. 
• Identify and resolve problems independently, referring more complex issues, such as ethics issues, to the Editors or Journal Manager at Wiley. 

Provide project, financial and contractual management for both journals

• Carry out administration for the contract with the publishing house (funder of the journal).
• Liaise with ODI Global Finance/Project Accountants to ensure the correct and effective set up, day-to-day financial management and close down of the project.
• Coordinate with relevant ODI Global Programme Managers regarding budgets, subcontracts, invoices and contract amendments.
• Review project data and information to assist Finance in the reconciliation and consolidation of monthly, quarterly and year-end financial processes. 

Maintain the ODI Global institutional repository (ODI eLibrary)

• Ensure that ODI Global outputs are published in the ODI Global eLibrary platform and assigned to the correct series with relevant metadata.
• Prepare Crossref web submission form to register DOIs, ORCiDs and output metadata.
• Support with wider ODI Global publications and branding work as needed at the direction of the Publications Manager  

Person specification

Essential 

• Knowledge of academic journal production and peer review processes
• Project management experience.
• Methodical and thorough approach to work and meticulous attention to detail.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent 
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent IT and data management skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Adobe. 
• Effective time management, organisation and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise and communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and from different cultures. 

Desirable 

• Interest in the themes covered by Disasters and DPR, and ODI Global’s programmes
• Basic graphic design skills  

Key Relationships and Contacts

Internal: DPR and Disasters Editors, ODI Global Publications Manager

External: Disasters co-editors, DPR co-editors, DPR and Disasters copy-editors, Wiley journal production team and Wiley journal publications manager

All staff are expected to:

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI Global and externally
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues’ Health and Safety
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be asked by their manager

Why should you work for us?

ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Benefits

We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page.

About ODI Global

ODI Global is a leading global affairs think tank. We inspire people to act on injustice and inequality. We focus on research, convening and influencing, to generate ideas that matter for people and planet.