The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team and be responsible for examining scientific manuscripts from our headquarters in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.

The Scientific Manuscript Examiner is responsible for carefully evaluating and improving the quality of research manuscripts before publication. The position involves implementing effective quality control measures and working closely with authors, the publication unit and the Senior Fellow Advisor – Research Quality Assurance to ensure compliance with academic publishing standards and guidelines, as well as IWMI internal publishing protocols and checklists. With a focus on attention to detail, the Scientific Manuscript Examiner will conduct manuscript reviews, offering constructive feedback and suggestions to enhance the overall quality of IWMI’s research outputs before manuscripts are handed over to the publication unit. In addition, the person will assist the Senior Fellow Advisor – Research Quality Assurance in reviewing IWMI projects for ethical clearance by IWMI’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), maintaining IRB records, and drafting clearance letters.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the research quality advisor to ensure the quality and accuracy of research manuscripts for different types of publications.
• Systematic and thorough review of manuscripts submitted by IWMI researchers to ensure they meet established standards of accuracy, validity, and scholarly integrity, particularly in view of referencing.
• Check hyperlinks, titles, captions, tables and graphs, to ensure accuracy in reporting.
• Develop and implement quality control measures for research outputs, including plagiarism and AI checks, and develop a comprehensive checklist for authors.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Research Quality Advisor or Head of Communication.
• As assigned by the Senior Fellow Advisor – Research Quality Assurance, support IRB project reviews and the clearance of fieldwork for all new IWMI projects.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• Master’s degree in natural resources management, social sciences, geography, information sciences, or any related academic field.
• Minimum of 03 years of work experience in conducting research or 05 years in editing scientific manuscripts.
• A track record of at least 5 publications (weblinks should be shared) in journals or editing over 50 manuscripts.
• Experience in writing technical reports and scientific publications.

Desirable,

• Experience in research manuscript editing.
• Experience in research ethics and plagiarism checks.
• Experience with referencing software.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• The ability to function effectively and reliably in carrying out duties, and to take initiative in the absence of a readily accessible supervisor.
• Excellent oral and written language skills in English, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail to identify errors, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies in the manuscripts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Microsoft Word.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to work harmoniously in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Well-developed personal organization and priority-setting skills.
• Ability to share information in an effective and transparent manner.
• Capacity to deliver and receive analytical criticism constructively and provide effective feedback.
• High ethical standards and knowledge of IRB functions.
• Ability to work under stress during publication submission peak periods.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Sri Lankan nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on September 05, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV (which includes weblinks for at least 05 scientific publications), cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.