Information & Publications Officer

eastwestcenter; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 91,366 - 111,670; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

The East-West Center is seeking an Information and Publications Officer in Honolulu to lead publishing efforts for the Pacific Islands Development Program. This role involves producing the Pacific Islands Report, overseeing research publications, and evaluating audience needs.

The ideal candidate will possess a graduate degree, extensive experience with Pacific Island publications, and a proven ability to foster relationships within Pacific communities. Benefits include a competitive salary starting at $101,518.65, health insurance, and opportunities for career growth.

Qualifications

• At least five years of work experience in publications related to the Pacific Islands.
• Experience with U.S. Government agencies or foreign policy.
• Proven track record of developing relationships with Pacific Islander communities.

Responsibilities

• Produce the Pacific Islands Report and publish research reports.
• Evaluate audience needs and identify prospective topics and authors.
• Negotiate and execute contracts with external publishers.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication management

Digital publishing tools

Cultural sensitivity

Budget management

Education

Graduate degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat Professional

Google Suite

Job description

Overview

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

• 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

Education and Experience – Graduate degree (Master’s or higher) in a field relevant to the position and work performed. At least five (5) years of work experience in publications related to the Pacific Islands. Experience should include in‑depth knowledge of major Pacific Island domestic and international policy and social issues with a proven track record of developing and nurturing high‑trust relationships and partnerships with Pacific Islander communities and organizations; of digital tools for managing and generating publications in multiple formats; of communication management and/or public relations across digital and print channels; and development and implementation of tailored communication strategies. Experience working with or within the U.S. Department of State and/or other U.S. Government agencies, or in roles closely aligned with U.S. foreign policy or international affairs, is required.

Demonstrated Ability – Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate work involving a wide variety of tasks; to take initiative and work independently and cooperatively in following through on assignments; to assume responsibility for whole areas of work and integrate information from relevant sources; to gather and/or prepare background materials; to work and deal effectively with a wide variety of cultures and with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; to work under the pressure of deadlines and competing demands; to acquire and maintain knowledge of and appropriately apply various policies and procedures; to establish and maintain accurate files and records; to adapt to changes and exercise good judgment in dealing with a variety of situations; to perform effectively in a non‑routine work environment; to work effectively as a team member; and to appropriately handle confidential information; to work creatively within a set budget and use innovation to find ways of more effectively managing resources.

Knowledge – of office practices and procedures; of budget management; of correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage; secure records management; and of office machines and equipment; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional and other equivalent applications; proficiency with Google suite, Microsoft 365, or other work sharing platforms and meeting software such as Zoom and Skype. The incumbent should also possess a strong understanding and appreciation of Pacific culture and ways of operating.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and monitoring grant proposals and projects involving multiple units and agencies in the Pacific region.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Benefits: Starting at $101,518.65. Includes health insurance, retirement savings with generous company match, paid holidays, and paid vacation and sick leave.
• Career Growth Opportunities: Opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
• Supportive Work Environment: Supportive work environment, open communication, collaboration, and resources to succeed.

Additional Responsibilities and Working Conditions

The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) serves as Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) and a Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agency. In these capacities, PIDP regularly engages in highly sensitive international communications and activities with elected and traditional leaders, senior officials, governments, and organizations. The incumbent will have direct access to and some involvement with multilateral activities that are highly sensitive and have geopolitical significance and implications. Confidentiality and privacy are of paramount importance; the incumbent will be held to a high standard of behavior in this regard and must be able to always maintain confidentiality and privacy. This is a full‑time position that requires the incumbent to work in‑person in Honolulu, HI.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As required under Title IX, the East-West Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including admissions and employment.