Background

The Human Development Report Office (HDRO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a Print Production and Publishing Specialist to coordinate the production and publishing of the Human Development Report.
The Human Development Report is UNDP’s flagship Report, produced annually since 1990 and widely recognized as the most influential publication of its kind. The Report is translated into more than a dozen languages and distributed globally. Key audiences of the Human Development Report include leading policymakers in both developed and developing countries; journalists, civil society activists and other opinion leaders; and academic experts, students and researchers. Candidates for this position must have mastery of the requisite report production management skills, as well as great creative energy, deadline-driven discipline, and a commitment to innovation and global public impact. Prior professional experience in publications management is required, either in the nonprofit sector or in the commercial publishing industry.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Print Production and Publishing Specialist will be responsible for overseeing all the technical aspects of the editorial production, layout, printing, and global distribution and of the Human Development Report (HDR). He/she will be responsible for the quality and timely completion of all aspects of the HDR production process, as well as other production and coordination tasks related to the launch of the Report and of other HDRO publications and activities as needed.

Under the supervision of the HDRO Deputy Director, the Print Production and Publishing Specialist will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

Overall quality control of the HDR production:

  • Monitor and perform quality control of the editorial, graphic design, translation and printing services, ensuring timely delivery and professional quality.

Oversight of production, translation, printing and distribution of the HDR:

Develop and ensure compliance with the Report's production schedule and related procurement plans:

  • Secure outside services for information design, editing, copy-editing and proofreading, typesetting, translation in 6 languages, printing and global distribution, and manages respective contracts;
  • Coordinate the activities of the editorial, graphic design, and translation teams by transferring materials to these teams, serving as liaison between these teams and the HDR team;
  • Assist partners producing non official UN language editions of the Report, or its Summary, by transferring materials to these teams, providing guidance on production-related issues;
  • Coordinate and supervise production of translated editions of the Report and Report summaries;
  • Oversee global distribution of the printed HDR materials, ensuring timely delivery;
  • Oversee global and regional commercial distribution and marketing of the HDR.

Raise awareness on the Human Development concept in key audiences:

  • Produce outreach materials for HDRO and UNDP public events;
  • Maintain/Expand pool of language editions of the HDR, nurturing respective partnerships with donors, COs, and other sponsors, promoting a culture of translation and knowledge-sharing.

Supports for HDR launches, other HDRO/UNDP events:

  • Maintain calendar for multiple launch events worldwide;
  • Ensure timely quality translation and layout of press materials in all UN languages (plus other languages as needed);
  • Serve as contact point for UNDP Bureaus, Country Offices, other partners;
  • Oversee timely distribution of all required materials.

Competencies

Core Values:
  • Ethics and Values: Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
  • Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Core Competencies:
  • Understanding of and support for the United Nations;
  • Good organizational skills, sound judgment, initiative, demonstrated capacity to perform effectively within a multicultural work environment, tact and ability to deal with confidential matters in a discreet, reliable manner;
  • Capacity to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time;
  • Takes initiative, effective at multi-tasking;
  • Focuses on impact and results for the client;
  • Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including senior management;
  • Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners;
    Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and tight deadlines;
  • Participates effectively in team-based, information-sharing environment, cooperating with others;
  • Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicates effectively.

Functional Competencies:

  • Excellent understanding of production processes; experience in print production and translation;
  • Knowledge of commercial marketing of publications; experience in liaising with UN Publications is an asset;
  • Good understanding of the main processes related to distribution;
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills;
  • Excellent editing skills, attention to details;
  • Demonstrated ability to build and nurture strong relations and to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies;
  • Good IT skills, including databases and office software packages;
  • Experience working with FTP servers and other web-based management systems;
  • Willingness to accept additional responsibilities as required by the demands of the service.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree, or additional 2 years of work experience in media and publishing in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience:
  • At least five years of relevant professional work experience.
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in other UN language(s) an asset.