Research Publications Officer (Volunteer)

Purpose

The Research Publications Officer will support the organization in identifying suitable peer-reviewed journals, managing manuscript submissions, and maintaining communication with publishers. The role strengthens the visibility of the organization’s research and ensures that published work meets global academic standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify credible, peer-reviewed journals relevant to HIV, public health, and community research.
• Track open calls for special journal issues or research features.
• Support manuscript preparation and ensure adherence to each journal’s submission guidelines.
• Manage online submissions, revisions, and correspondence with journal editors on behalf of the organization.
• Maintain a database of published and pending manuscripts, including DOIs, impact factors, and timelines.
• Assist with formatting, referencing, and proofreading manuscripts using Turabian, APA, or Vancouver style.
• Coordinate internal reviews and secure author approvals before submission.
• Support dissemination by drafting short summaries of published articles for social media, newsletters, and donor reports.
• Monitor acceptance rates, publication costs, and ethical compliance (e.g., COPE, ICMJE standards).
• Provide monthly updates on publication progress to the Executive Director or Research Lead.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills with attention to detail and structure.
• Familiarity with academic publishing processes and manuscript submission platforms (e.g., Editorial Manager, ScholarOne).
• Experience with citation tools such as Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley.
• Understanding of open-access publishing and ethical research principles.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple manuscripts and deadlines independently.
• Previous experience in academic or research environments is an advantage.

Time Commitment

• 6–10 hours per week for at least 3 months.
• Flexible schedule with remote coordination.

Benefits

• Opportunity to gain practical experience in scientific publishing and research communications.
• Mentorship from experienced researchers and project leads.
• Recognition as a contributing author or co-author, where applicable.
• Certificate of volunteer service and reference letter upon completion.