Associate Publication Specialist

Job Description

Description

As the only specialized organization with the mandate to support educational policy, planning and management, the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) plays a unique role within the United Nations system. IIEP was established in 1963 as an integral part of UNESCO. The Institute launched its new Medium‑Term Strategy (2022‑2025) in November 2021. IIEP has offices in Paris, Dakar, and Buenos Aires. IIEP draws on voluntary contributions from core donors and project funding to achieve its goals and objectives.

Under the overall authority of the Director of IIEP, and the direct supervision of the head a.i. of the IIEP Knowledge Management and Mobilization team, and within the framework of the Institute’s 11th Medium‑Term Strategy, the incumbent will support the institute’s publications function, including the management of manuscripts submitted for publication, the development of new communication channels and formats to make the Institute’s knowledge products more accessible, relevant, and attractive. In particular, the incumbent will support IIEP’s global website upgrade and redesign, and the optimization of the IIEP’s ETICO thematic portal to ensure improved digital inclusion and visibility, accessibility, and efficiency for the communities they serve.

Duties And Responsibilities:

• Manage the production cycle of documents for publications in French, as well as select publication in other languages, for the IIEP Paris office, as per the IIEP publications policy, guidelines, and quality assurance processes.
• Accompany project staff during the conceptualization phase, providing advice on type and formats according to the intended purpose and audience.
• Oversee internal and external review processes, including external peer review; identify and recruit copy‑editors, liaise with external providers, respond to queries, and ensure the quality of deliverables.
• Oversee the translation of manuscripts into French, making full use of standard AI‑assisted‑translation tools, identify appropriate professional translators and manage any externalized translations, ensuring the quality of the translated documents.
• Manage the layout and proofreading processes for the finalization of the manuscripts, including recruiting and liaising with external providers, ensuring the quality of the work.
• Finalize publications, incorporating revisions in InDesign documents and improving the laid‑out works.
• Liaise with the library cluster, communication cluster and print‑shop for the dissemination of published works.
• Provide occasional translation and editorial support to the KMM cluster and IIEP management.
• Contribute to the overall improvement of IIEP’s publications by monitoring, evaluation, and planning, and providing ideas on how to adapt and streamline processes, templates, and content to better meet the needs of IIEP’s audiences.

Competencies (Core / Managerial):

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organising (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Publication or Editing and/or a related field of Publishing.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of responsible and relevant professional experience in publishing, preferably 1 year in an international environment.
• Experience in the development, implementation, and management of editorial projects.
• Experience producing and printing knowledge products such as books and brochures.

Skills & Competencies

• Solid analytical, organisational and project‑management skills.
• Knowledge of editorial practices and research techniques.
• Knowledge of publishing procedures, design, layout, and production.
• Ability to drive a manuscript from conception to dissemination.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French, with proven ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders via web and social media.
• Strong drafting skills, including the ability to write/edit different types of content (publication summaries, articles, speeches) for various audiences.
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of Adobe Acrobat software.
• Excellent knowledge of typographic rules in French, good knowledge of typographic rules in English.
• Good level of autonomy: attention to detail, and ability to proofread.
• Time‑management skills, including the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to work and maintain effective working relations within a multicultural environment with sensitivity for diversity.

Languages

• Excellent command (fluent) of French and good knowledge of English.

Desirable Qualifications

Work Experience

• Experience within a United Nations Agency or programme(s) or within an international organisation.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.

Languages

• Knowledge of Spanish.