In this role, you will review and screen written drafts early in the review process to assess whether they need a substantive edit. Where required, you will substantively edit manuscripts to ensure that review drafts are well-structured, readable and understandable. Following WRI s Knowledge Product Guidelines and research teams, you will ensure that manuscripts contain essential sections such as an executive summary, an introduction that explains research goals, context and relevance, a clear methodology section, and logically structured findings, discussion and conclusions linked to the questions and analysis presented in the paper.
- You will work with program teams on specific publications as a technical writer, contributing to the writing of clear, well-structured drafts that meet WRI s research standards for KPs.
- Screening of draft manuscripts for pre-review
- Screen and review draft KP manuscripts to determine whether they are ready for review in terms of writing: the draft is understandable and readable, standard of written English is acceptable, structure follows WRI guidelines, and contains required sections with essential information provided.
- Provide constructive feedback and mentoring to authors and research teams where writing-related revisions are necessary and can be carried out by research teams themselves, to enhance their ability to edit and strengthen their own work.
- Substantive editing of WRI India KPs for effective research communication
- Undertake substantive edits of WRI publications that do not meet research standards. Such editing will involve re-organizing and rewriting to ensure a logical narrative flow; clear, understandable writing; an appropriate tone for the target audience, clear messaging, and overall readability (elimination of jargon and/ or superfluous content, filling in gaps in necessary information, evidence and explanation). Also, substantive editing will also include review of visuals, typically graphical presentation of data, for clarity, readability and relevance.
- Provide light substantive editing services when deemed necessary to strengthen the quality of writing, structure and effectiveness of message communication at the final stages of publication, in addition to copy-editing.
- Provide feedback and substantive editing support for research-based communications products
- Support programs to share and communicate WRI s published research internally and externally, in partnership with programs
- Technical Writing
- Work with program research teams on manuscript writing for specific publications, to meet research and writing standards for WRI Knowledge products
- If applicable, review and support translation of KPs (or Executive summaries) and research materials into Indian languages to reach broader audiences
Qualifications and Requirements we seek:
- Masters degree in a relevant writing-intensive discipline in the humanities, sciences or social sciences
- Excellent written communication skills in English, with experience writing and editing research or research-based publications
- At least 5 years experience in editing, reviewing and technical writing for a non-specialist audience
- Excellent analytical and review skills.
- Ability to work flexibly, quickly, and under tight deadlines, while providing constructive and patient feedback to authors
- Demonstrated knowledge of environmental and development issues, and support for WRI s goals..
- Inter-personal skills and confidence to work with, and influence senior staff, in the pursuit of high standards of research excellence.
- Experience with research methods in the social and environmental sciences
- Knowledge of other Indian languages will be a plus
