Join our team: Publications Officer required

Children's Books Ireland is seeking a Publications Officer (full-time), to support the creation of Children’s Books Ireland’s numerous publications.

About the role

Publications Officer is a new role within the organisation.

Our publications include (but are not limited to) Inis magazine, an annual reading guide and the updating and writing of themed reading lists. The successful candidate will have an passion for and extensive knowledge of children’s books and will be the key liaison between Children’s Books Ireland and the Irish and international publishing industry.

They will be responsible for processing a significant volume of book submissions for review and for consideration for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards. The successful candidate will have significant expertise in current trends in children’s and YA publishing, and will work with the whole team to inform numerous aspects of Children’s Books Ireland’s work.

In time, there may be scope for the Publications Officer to shadow senior staff members and to receive training in the production of the publications, including liaising with editors, designers and printers.

Duties will include

• Act as Editor in Chief for Inis magazine, taking over the reviews editor roles (which are currently outsourced) and commissioning interviews and features for the magazine.
• Be responsible for the management, recruitment and training of our volunteer reviewers and maintain an accurate database of reviewer information.
• Manage section editors and other freelance editors for Children’s Books Ireland’s annual reading guide, overseeing book selection.
• Write reviews and other content for partner media outlets including the Irish Examiner, RTÉJr and InTouch (the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation magazine).
• Work closely with the Oifigeach Gaeilge on all content as Gaeilge across all publications.
• Create recommended reading lists on defined themes and update existing reading lists sporadically to ensure that they reflect the most up to date, high quality books available.
• Support the Development Manager role by developing themed reading lists for corporate partners as needed.
• Generate content (recommended reading) to support Children’s Books Ireland’s communications strategy, including themed recommendations for social media (e.g. books about mothers for Mothers’ Day, books about wellbeing for World Mental Health day) and mainstream media.
• Keep the Book Clinic team informed of developments in publishing.
• Help inform the book-gifting team’s selection for school libraries.
• Act as first point of contact for publishers in Ireland, the UK and internationally.
• Process all book submissions for Inis magazine, reading guides and the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.
• Attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair as required on an annual basis (funding allowing).
• Catalogue and manage the Children’s Books Ireland annual library donation to Dublin City University (approx. 300–350 titles annually).

Requirements

The successful candidate will:

• Be able to confidently carry out the responsibilities outlined above while working independently and as part of a small, creative, fast-paced team.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to create content for various audiences and to write reviews and other articles as needed.
• Extensive knowledge of and passion for children’s books.
• Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to create clean copy and ensure accuracy in relation to ISBNs, pricing, artists’ names etc.
• Being a self-starter with strong organisational skills, with the capacity to prioritise and balance multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills: the ideal candidate will be friendly, professional, able to work with a wide range of partners and manage reviewers and section editors.
• Excellent digital literacy, with a high level of proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Dropbox, Zoom and Slack.

Many of the responsibilities of the role currently sit with the Deputy CEO, and a comprehensive handover and training will be provided. No formal/third-level qualification is required.

The following are desirable, but not essential:

• Proficiency in written and spoken Irish
• Experience working in the arts, charity or publishing sectors, with writing, journalism, production management and/or editing experience being particularly valuable.

Reporting To: Deputy CEO

Location: Children’s Books Ireland encourages hybrid working. Many of our full-time staff work three days per week in the office and two at home, but we are happy to discuss this with the successful candidate. Our office is based on the first floor at 17 North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1. Office location may change, but will remain in central Dublin.

Start date: As soon as possible

Contract duration: Permanent

Hours of work: 40 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break per day), working hours are flexible between 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu can be taken in accordance with company policy.

Remuneration/benefits: €30,000 per annum. 5% matching pension contribution. 25 days’ annual leave. Ability to work flexibly. Mobile phone allowance and work from home payment provided.

To apply: Email cover letter and CV (preferably in one combined document) to recruit@childrensbooksireland.ie, with PUBLICATIONS OFFICER in the subject line, before 4pm on 24th March 2022.

Children’s Books Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The position will be subject to reference checks and may require Garda vetting.

About Children's Books Ireland

Children’s Books Ireland’s vision is simple: every child a reader. Our mission is:

• to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland,
• to share our expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, and
• to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.

Children’s Books Ireland is a registered charity. We deliver numerous projects that bring the joy of reading to children all over the island of Ireland including Laureate na nÓg (the children’s literature laureate), the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards, Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinics, a magazine and annual reading guide, an annual conference and various book-gifting schemes which ensure that children and young people in areas of need have access to books.

Children’s Books Ireland is the go-to organisation for children’s book coverage across various media. For more information, you can read our Strategic Plan at the link below.