Head of Programmes – Publishing

Job Description

Yellow Spark is recruiting for the role of Publishing Head within a feminist organization that is attentive to the issues of social exclusion among specific groups or individuals. Through their publishing initiatives, they amplify the voices of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on women, queer, and trans experiences. Designation: Head of Programmes – Publishing (HoP [Publishing]) Location: New Delhi (Hybrid) Note: We strongly encourage applications from candidates who are women, queer, trans, non-binary, and other gender minorities, as well as from Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi/Tribal, Northeast India communities, and/or religious minorities. The position reports to the Executive Director (ED) and the Managing Trustee (MT). Purpose of the Role: To develop and implement a unified publishing and outreach strategy across all the projects, fostering collaboration and synergy between projects and with the in-house Publishers The role will drive the editorial process, commission research, and oversee the production of high-quality written and multimedia outputs, ultimately enhancing the impact and reach of the organization's work Role & Responsibilities: Editorial and Programme Responsibilities The HoP [Publishing] has responsibility for overseeing the coherence, quality, and timely production of all shareable outputs that are created by the organization’s various projects. They will: Set overall editorial policy, quality guidelines, and define/identify the appropriate forms of various outputs, along with the Head of Programmes [Projects], the Executive Director, and the Managing Trustee Working closely with the Head of Programmes [Projects] and ED to develop a clear publishing strategy and timetable for the organization’s various projects; coordinating on the production of outputs [books, videos, podcasts, exhibitions, etc.] in accordance with project timetables and deliverables, and overseeing their translation into different forms and languages for wider sharing Initiate, design, and manage new project work that comes on stream (for example, joint initiatives, new products and services, etc.) Ensure production plans are in place for each of the outputs, especially focused on research and publishing research, to ensure a regular, efficient turnover of relevant and diverse new content, based on a clear identification of target audiences and their needs Manage production cycles, facilitating weekly/monthly editorial meetings and longer-term editorial planning processes Collaboratively build mechanisms and methods for monitoring the accessibility and reach of all output, both for the publishing of books from research materials as a whole, and for key individual outputs Create and sustain a set of ethical publishing practices within the framework of the Creative Commons 4.0 license Build and maintain relationships with project staff, project heads, the Head of Programmes, and colleagues in the publishing house Attend team meetings as and when required and provide regular updates on the progress of work Liaise with the project's team, the HoP [Projects], ED, and MT, and outside partners to help oversee/organize events to promote the organization’s published outputs Leadership and Strategy Development The HoP [Publishing] is responsible for leading the strategic development of the Editorial Team and will: Provide intellectual and professional leadership in setting the editorial strategy of programme outputs, deciding on publishing for the target audience, medium, etc. Develop a range of collaborations and working partnerships. This will include exploring content exchange arrangements, decentralized content sourcing and editing, and collaborative work with partners on a range of existing and new outputs Lead the fundraising strategy for the team, building support with existing donors and developing relationships with potential new funders, preparing and submitting proposals, and ensuring consistent follow-up, monitoring progress against funding targets Actively develop and pursue opportunities for expanding the funding and audience base, representing the team and its work at meetings of funders, experts, and other stakeholders Financial Management Working with the finance team, oversee the financial management of publishing and any sub-projects undertaken by the team Working with the Finance team and in accordance with financial regulations, ensure that budgets and forecasts are up to date, that expenditure is managed effectively, and that funders are invoiced accurately and on time Work with the Finance team to ensure that effective contractual arrangements are put in place with funders, partners and other resource persons, and that all contractual obligations are met Review programme expenditures on publishing to ensure conformity to the organization’s Financial Policies, along with the finance team Monitor and advise on programme and project spending and variance report as per organizational process and procedures Human Resource Management Ensure that an effective working environment is in place for all staff within the team, working collaboratively with the Head of Programmes [Projects], Executive Director and Managing Trustee, so that all staff have clear job descriptions and work plans, have effective line management, performance review, supervision, support and development Line manage the publishing wing staff, including Production Editors, Sales Coordinator, Publicity consultants, providing them with effective line management, performance management, mentoring, and staff development Ensure an enabling environment for staff performance, recognition, and reward of the program team to encourage staff productivity, innovation, and performance (e.g., facilities, equipment, duty facilitation, team building, etc.), keeping in mind the diversity of the team and varying requirements Participate in the review of staff job descriptions and the setting of performance standards Be Involved in the recruitment of staff in collaboration with ED, MT, and HR consultants Assigns performance objectives to supervised staff, conducts comprehensive performance appraisal of supervised staff, and provides/obtains feedback when necessary Ensure that performance records of staff under supervision are submitted to official records on time Provides induction, training, coaching, mentoring, and advice to supervised staff to ensure that they understand and carry out their responsibilities effectively Works with senior management to identify training needs and development opportunities for supervised staff, support for staff needs, and other requirements for an enabling and collaborative work environment Contribute to the development of strategies for decentralized ways of working on co-produced products/outputs and capacity development With a view to the possible future merger of the in-house publishing wing and the organization, collaboratively building systems and processes, implementing plans and timetables, and allocating staff responsibilities through the period of transition and beyond _ Requirements: _ Qualification & Knowledge: A Master’s degree in Literature or any of the Humanities or Social Sciences Expertise in Project planning and management, Feminist Participatory approaches and methodologies, Research and Development, and Monitoring and evaluation(preferred) Experience: 8-10 years of publishing experience, including commissioning, liaising with authors, dealing with designers, production, sales, and marketing Experience in managing funding from a diversity of sources, including foreign and domestic sources Proven experience of working with feminist publishing on gender and research institutes Experience working with dispossessed and historically marginalized groups, programming in conflict or marginalized regions, etc. Competencies / soft skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills Excellent networking & interpersonal skills Planning, organization, time management, and coordination Ability to engage with a diverse group of people Ability to take initiative to anticipate and resolve problems Crisis management and conflict resolution High level of efficiency, accuracy, honesty, and responsibility Role-specific technical skills: Leadership Skills & Strategic Thinking Excellent presentation, communication, and negotiation skills Proficiency with computers and MS Office Fluency in written and verbal communication skills in the native/national language is preferred Any other specifications: The position involves frequent travel to the project locations 3-year contract, renewable on review and discussion How to apply: Interested candidates, please apply at esha@yellowspark.in along with a cover letter stating your suitability for the role (Max 250 words). Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Job Type: Full-time Pay: ₹1,400,000.00 - ₹1,600,000.00 per year Benefits: Health insurance Paid sick time Paid time off Schedule: Day shift Work Location: In person