Editor

$65,000 - $85,000/Yr

Arab Center Washington Dc - Washington, DC

Full-time

Washington, DC

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Editor at Arab Center Washington DC (ACW) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and accessibility of written materials produced by the organization. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC, and involves editing a variety of publications, including policy analysis papers, op-eds, research papers, book reviews, event summaries, and annual reports. The Editor is responsible for maintaining the editorial standards and publishing guidelines of ACW, ensuring that all materials are accurate, logically structured, and engaging for the audience. In collaboration with the Director of Research and Department Heads, the Editor will solicit and commission papers, acting as the primary contact for contributing authors. This includes overseeing the editing and copy-editing processes, hiring freelance editors when necessary, and managing the administrative aspects related to publication, such as expenses and invoicing. The Editor will also work closely with senior staff to compile and edit full-length volumes and collections of research papers, ensuring that the final products meet the high standards expected by ACW. Additionally, the Editor will be responsible for training and supervising Research and Editing Interns, assigning tasks, and reviewing their work. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying relevant topics and authors, as well as the ability to transform written pieces into various formats, including social media posts and executive summaries. The Editor will also engage in peer reviews and provide guidance on content and topics, contributing to the overall mission of ACW to enhance understanding of the Arab world and US policies in the region.

Responsibilities

• Edit publications and written materials to ensure accuracy, flow, logic, topical hook, consistency, and maximum accessibility.
• Oversee the publication of policy analysis papers, op-eds, research papers, book reviews, event summaries, announcements, annual reports, and other published texts.
• Establish and maintain editorial standards of quality, objectivity, style, and independence to generate consistent and high-quality publications.
• Periodically update publishing guidelines and style guide for ACW publications.
• Oversee the editing and copy-editing process and hire freelance editors as needed.
• Help identify paper topics and contributing authors and manage the process as appropriate, including administrative requirements related to expenses/invoicing.
• Work with senior staff to compile and edit full-length edited volumes and other collections of research papers.
• Train and supervise Research and Editing Interns; assign tasks to interns and review their work.
• Work with the web specialist to write, edit, and post publications, promotional materials, online content, social media, and newsletters.
• Provide guidance on topics and content as well as contribute to finding and commissioning potential authors.
• Assist in transforming pieces into additional formats, including talking points, social media posts, executive summaries, and op-eds when needed.
• Review material and organize peer reviews, as needed.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in a relevant field.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of editorial experience in academic or think tank publications.
• Excellent English language skills and a proven track record as a substance editor and copyeditor; superior proofreading skills.
• Excellent expository writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of international relations and Middle East studies including history, politics, society, and US foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Demonstrated leadership role in editing.
• Strong writing and research skills and great attention to detail.
• Superior ability to conduct research, check facts online, and vet web sources.
• Self-motivation; superior teamwork ability and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office and creatively solve problems as they arise.
• Ability to work with technology to disseminate content electronically.
• Experience in managing relationships and sensitive issues.
• Experience working with research organizations and think tanks.
• Good knowledge of the Arabic language and familiarity with transliterating Arabic in English preferred.
• Experience in publishing books and monographs preferred.
• Experience in writing reports and analytical articles preferred.
• Knowledge of nonprofit and/or think tank operations preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Good knowledge of the Arabic language and familiarity with transliterating Arabic in English preferred.
• Experience in publishing books and monographs preferred.
• Experience in writing reports and analytical articles preferred.
• Knowledge of nonprofit and/or think tank operations preferred.