Journals and Digital Content Coordinator

Department: Public Affairs and Communications

Location: London, UK

Compensation: £32,860 / year

Application Deadline: 16 August 2026

Contract Type: Permanent - Fulltime

Purpose of Job

This role first involves project managing the delivery and development of two ODI Global academic peer-reviewed journals and maintaining the catalogue and metadata of the ODI Global eLibrary (ODI Global’s institutional repository). The post holder will plan, coordinate and oversee the operational delivery of Disasters, a major quarterly journal reporting on disaster studies, policies and management, and Development Policy Review (DPR), a leading academic journal in international development. They will ensure the efficient and timely delivery of the journals’ editorial, production and publication workflows, coordinating across editors, reviewers, authors, publishers and internal teams. The role will also monitor journal performance, support strategic development initiatives, and manage projects that enhance the journals’ reputation and reach. In addition, the post holder will maintain the ODI Global eLibrary catalogue and register DOIs and metadata with Crossref. The role will also involve working with ODI Global’s digital team to strengthen the digital growth and engagement of our research across core channels, including the website, social media and newsletter. This will include supporting priority outputs, helping to translate complex research into compelling digital-first content and supporting experimentation.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Project management and coordination of journals
  • Support the coordination and delivery of two academic journals as complex, multi-stakeholder publishing projects.
  • Plan, monitor and manage workflows across the full journal lifecycle, ensuring timelines, quality standards and stakeholder expectations are met.
  • Coordinate internal and external stakeholders including editors, reviewers, authors, production teams and publishers to ensure smooth project delivery.
  • Identify risks, bottlenecks or delays in editorial or production processes and implement solutions to maintain delivery schedules.
  • Support strategic improvements to journal workflows, systems and processes.
• Manage submissions and peer review for both journals
  • Check all new and revised submissions for completeness, anonymisation and compliance with author guidelines before peer review.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Liaise with Wiley to resolve any user issues in the Research Exchange Review manuscript tracking system and implement enhanced features as the platform develops.
• Production
  • Liaise with the freelance copy-editors and act as the interface between copy-editor and authors.
  • 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.
• Journals management
  • Monitor journal performance by collecting, analysing and reporting data on submissions, publication output, downloads, citations and income, and present insights at annual editorial board meetings and co‑editors’ meetings.
  • Plan and coordinate virtual themed issues in response to emerging issues or topics of current interest.
  • Support the creation and production of special issues, including liaising with authors, guest editors, Wiley production team, finance team.
  • Publicise new issues of DPR and Disasters within ODI Global and on social media.
  • Organise annual editorial board meetings, quarterly co‑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 Publications Manager, Editors or Journal Manager at Wiley.
• Provide project, financial and contractual management for both journals
  • Provide project planning, financial oversight and contract coordination 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.
  • Manage 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 eLibrary platform and assigned to the correct series with relevant metadata.
  • Prepare Crossref XML metadata to register DOIs, ORCiDs.
  • Support with wider ODI Global publications and branding work as needed at the direction of the Publications Manager.
• Support the digital growth and engagement of ODI Global research across owned digital channels
  • Help develop digital assets for journals, publications and priority research.
  • Optimise web content for SEO, accessibility and user experience.
  • Repurpose research into digital‑first formats including carousels, quote cards, infographics and explainers.
  • Translate complex research into engaging digital‑first content for diverse audiences.
  • Work closely with researchers and communications colleagues to maximise the reach and influence of research outputs.
  • Support experimentation with new content formats and audience engagement approaches.
  • Draft webpages in Wagtail, our CMS, and ensure relevant pages are kept up to date.

Person specification

Essential

• Demonstrable project management or project coordination experience, ideally in publishing, research, communications or a related sector.
• Interest in academic journal production and peer review processes.
• Methodical and thorough approach to work and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent proofreading and writing skills, with experience in writing for the web.
• 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.
• Experience developing digital content across multiple channels.
• Understanding of digital storytelling and audience engagement.
• Ability to interpret analytics and use data to improve communications.

Desirable

• Interest in the themes covered by Disasters and DPR, and ODI Global’s programmes.
• Experience in using a CMS.
• Understanding of the latest social media trends.
• Experience in using social media management tools.
• Formal project management training or certification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent).
• SEO knowledge.
• Experience with email marketing platforms.
• Experience creating video or multimedia content.

Key Relationships and Contacts

Internal: DPR and Disasters Editors, ODI Global Publications Manager, ODI Global Digital Content and Engagement Manager

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

Please note: The postholder is not required to have any previous publishing experience - on the job training will be provided.

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.