Content Co-ordinator (Ref: 674)

Transcription

1 VACANCY PARTICULARS Content Co-ordinator (Ref: 674) Hours per week: 21 (TBC)(0.6FTE) Contract type: Fixed term until March 2016 Grade: 5 Salary: 24,542-29,783 pro rata, per annum Closing date: Monday 13th July 2015, 10am UK time Interview date: TBC Reporting to: Senior Thematic Convenor Who We Are The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Our Vision Our vision is a world in which poverty does not exist, social justice prevails and sustainable economic growth is focused on improving human wellbeing. We believe that research knowledge can drive the change that must happen in order for this vision to be realised. What We Do Founded in 1966, IDS enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of our work and our commitment to applying academic skills to real-world challenges. Our theory of change is at the heart of what we do. We think that knowledge should be generated by sound methodology and in partnership with other development and nondevelopment actors. The Institute is home to over 120 staff working in research and teaching, 70 in knowledge services, communications and the library and about 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond this, encompassing an extensive network of over 360 global partners, 2,100 alumni and hundreds of former staff across the development community worldwide. The Institute is currently refreshing its vision, structures and strategy to meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing world. Directions of change include: Strengthening the engaged excellence of our work, including fuller integration of cutting-edge approaches to impact and communications throughout the Institute s research and knowledge activities and deepened collaboration with the University of Sussex; Building a more global vision of development studies, with associated shifts of emphasis in content and approaches to international partnerships and alliances; Combining thematically-focused work in research and knowledge clusters with Institute-wide progress towards a set of major strategic goals, provisionally around reducing inequalities, accelerating environmental sustainability, building inclusive and secure societies, and harnessing digital opportunities for social justice.

2 Job Description Overall purpose of the role The Open Knowledge and Digital Services unit is a multi-disciplinary team who work across the Institute and with partners to increase the availability of research evidence and present diverse perspectives on development issues. Our aim is to enable open diverse knowledge creation and sharing, addressing technological barriers and inequalities in through the design and delivery of web services, tools and related multimedia content. This is part of IDS wider commitment to the Open sharing of research evidence supporting open access publishing and the adoption of open data standards to maximise the reach and impact of our content and to improve decision-making and practice in international development. Working as part of the Open Knowledge and Digital Services team, the Content Co-ordinator will play an important role in helping us to deliver on these aims. You will help us to maximise the visibility, reach, use and ultimately impact of content by improving the way in which we manage, structure and maintain the quality and scope of the content across a number of platforms and websites. Our work is underpinned by our global partnerships so you will play an important role in working with technical and editorial staff around the world to help them identify and shape and use appropriate content that can be intelligently categorised and shared via our platforms. Main Duties and Responsibilities This role is concerned with the co-ordination of content for two of our flagship products. Established in 1995, Eldis [eldis.org] is a portal website that profiles diverse, timely, evidencebased development information in accessible formats. We focus in particular on supporting smaller research organisations in developing countries to share their research knowledge effectively. The Open Knowledge Hub [okhub.org] is an open data project that aims to build on emerging approaches from the open access and open data movements to create a new open and collaborative hub for the sharing of development knowledge. A key objective of the project and its partners is to increase our collective capacity to engage and innovate with Open Data and Open Content through peer support and shared learning. Content Co-ordinator Job Duties To identify and assess content sources for inclusion in the okhub.org project. You will analyse the extent to which potential sources conform to Open approaches and practices, including data categorisation and labelling, and work with partners to make appropriate changes. To scope and deliver data quality policies and processes for the okhub.org and Eldis. This will contribute to better, more effective and more sustainable data management practice for IDS and our partners. Oversee the scope and quality of the content, based on the requirements of each of the systems, developing tools and processes to measure, report on and identify gaps or weaknesses in the data To identify and oversee work needed to augment and clean the content in our core systems To document these structures and processes and provide guidance to editorial teams and partners on data management and quality issues To identify emerging requirements by researching and analyzing user needs, preferences, objectives, and working methods; recognising how users consume content and translating this user behaviour into appropriate content architecture

3 To assist in creating effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks through usability testing; evaluating user metrics and user feedback. To update and maintain website documentation which describes the scope and nature of the content held on our systems Track research regarding open knowledge; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; and sharing your knowledge with colleagues and partners. Equalities You must be prepared to implement the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job and must at all times carry out your duties with due regard to the Institute s Equal Opportunities Policy. Health and Safety You must be prepared to be responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, the provisions of legislation relating to the health and safety of such employees and areas of the workplace as fall under your direct control and for complying with legislation relating to such works and contracts as are within your direct responsibility. General You will be required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and character of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Your duties will be set out in this job description but please note that the Institute reserves the right to update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. Significant permanent changes in duties and responsibilities will require agreed revisions to be made to this job description. You will be consulted about any proposed changes.

4 Person Specification Skills and experience Requirement Essential Desirable Assessment Qualifications Degree level or equivalent Application Knowledge Good general knowledge of Internet-based information systems and services and the modern information and knowledge environment Excellent understanding of Open Knowledge principles and approaches Understanding of relational databases, XML and related technologies and standards Excellent understanding of principles of data management and analysis Understanding of semantic web technologies Skills Knowledge and demonstrable effective use database interrogation, query, database and server software in the Windows environment Usage of web-based information systems such as including Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, Farcry Excellent team working skills, with the ability to work as part of a team or unsupervised on own initiative as occasion demands. Strong Microsoft Excel skills Good interpersonal skills, with a tactful, assertive and articulate voice in meetings and in inter-personal situations Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise complex and multiple tasks, and to work to deadlines. Excellent all round communication and presentation skills, spoken and written Good problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to assimilate and analyse complex information. Project management skills and experience in relation to ICT systems or Internet information services, including working with varied stakeholders Knowledge of international development issues, including related ICT and data issues Data analysis capabilities Knowledge of web and content metrics analysis Knowledge of usability testing approaches Good understanding of web design and usability Knowledge of web systems performance issues Knowledge of social media tools and technologies Knowledge of open taxonomies and experience of linked open data Negotiation skills Desktop, online and server-based database administration skills Application, Interview Application, Interview, Exercise

5 Experience Information systems development and implementation, including software development lifecycle: Requirements gathering and analysis Preparing functional and technical specifications and securing sign off Software and system testing Producing technical documentation change management, bug tracking, version control systems Integrating technologies and systems, including use of APIs Website management and maintenance Working as part of a multi-disciplined team Attributes Flexible approach and ability to cope with rapid change Capacity to work across cultural / institutional barriers Ability to prioritise complex and multiple tasks, work to deadlines, work under pressure and cope with emergencies Fast learning curve for new software and technologies, with ability to assimilate and analyse complex information Willingness to engage with a variety of ICT environments and approaches Work in a cross-cultural team Work with external partners Experience of working in the non-profit or academic sectors Familiarity with standard project management tools and techniques Software control including repository management and releases Web usage analysis, packages Working with website designers Performance testing, monitoring and tuning for databases and web applications Commitment to putting ICTs to work for development Application, Interview, Exercise

6 Information to Candidates Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include: a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. Please see for more details interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy childcare voucher scheme and childcare fund competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 nonnegotiable closure days enhanced sickness pay entitlements support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates Location The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to How to apply Applications on official form only (CVs are not accepted): Human Resources Institute of Development Studies Brighton BN1 9RE, UK Alternatively please your application to hr@ids.ac.uk please insert the job title and reference number into the subject line of the . We would recommend that electronic applications are sent 24 hours in advance of the deadline, to ensure there are no technical difficulties. Owing to the large number of enquiries received and consequential processing/postage costs, regretfully, it is not possible to enter into further correspondence with all applicants. Therefore, if you do not receive any communications by the interview date, please assume that, on this occasion, your application has not been successful.

7 Institute of Development Studies Brighton BN1 9RE UK T + 44 (0) E hr@ids.ac.uk W Follow us: Like us: Sign up to our e-alert: Institute of Development Studies Charitable Company Number Limited by Guarantee and Registered in England Charity Registration Number