English PEN : Vacancies

Vacancies

Acting Writers in Translation Programme Manager

£23-25,000, pro rata; 3 days per week; temporary contract until 31 October 2010; central London

English PEN welcomes applicants regardless of race or colour, nationality or national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, sex or marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.

English PEN is the founding centre of an international writers' association, working to promote literature and freedom of speech. Its Writers in Translation programme pursues this vision with the support of Bloomberg and Arts Council England. We award grants to publishers of high-quality fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama in English translation. The titles are selected by a committee of experts, meeting twice a year to consider submissions from leading publishers. In the five years since the programme began awarding grants, we have supported some of the world's greatest writers, facilitating authors' visits to the UK, building new audiences for international literature, and establishing translated literature in the literary mainstream. We have also launched the PEN Atlas of World Literature, which complements this work by creating an online community to promote world literature.

Due to a period of extended leave, we have an opportunity for a literature professional to join English PEN's team on a temporary basis until 31 October 2010, delivering the work of the Writers in Translation programme, overseeing the development of the PEN Atlas, and creating activities to mark the 5th anniversary of Writers in Translation. The Acting Programme Manager will work with publishers to ensure that their titles reach the widest possible audience, through creative promotional campaigns. This is a three day per week role, joining English PEN's staff of eight, based at the new Free Word Centre in London's Clerkenwell. Although it is a temporary post, this is an opportunity for the right person to make an impact at a period of activity and expansion for the Writers in Translation programme.

Job summary

• To oversee the development and delivery of the Writers in Translation programme of English PEN, including responsibility for fundraising and related projects such as the PEN Atlas; the 5th anniversary celebrations; and English PEN's contribution to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
• To communicate the programme's work to publishers, translators, funders, English PEN members and the media, where appropriate.
• To be a key member of the English PEN staff team, collaborating on projects and events management.

Responsibilities

• Obtaining high level submissions from English publishers
• Working with an editorial committee that assesses and evaluates the submissions to the programme
• Enabling the committee to make its decisions
• Maintaining a strong relationship with our funders at Bloomberg and Arts Council England
• Assisting publishers in designing and carrying out the promotion and marketing of the titles
• Disseminating sample translations and readers' reports via a regular bulletin to publishers
• Minuting the committee meetings and sending out minutes to the steering committee
• Writing articles about the programme's activities where necessary, and keeping current the WiT section of the English PEN web site (www.englishpen.org).
• Overseeing the development of the PEN Atlas of World Literature
• Managing the Writers in Translation programme fifth anniversary activities
• Recruiting and managing the work of interns for the Writers in Translation programme
• Representing English PEN and the Writers in Translation programme at relevant conferences and seminars
• Carrying out internet research on titles, authors, and translation policy in the British publishing industry
• Developing Writers in Translation activities and policy in consultation with the Director and the Chair of the steering committee
• Ensuring that the Director and Board are well informed as to the work of the Writers in Translation programme
• Producing regular reports for the Newsletter and Board
• Any other duties as may from time to time be deemed necessary by the Director and Board of English PEN

Experience and skills

The successful candidate may have experience in publishing, literature development or other arts promotion work in the voluntary or public sector. They will be:

• Passionate about international literature;
• Passionate about building audiences for international literature;
• Interested in other cultures;
• Eager to promote new writing from unheard voices;
• Familiar with web 2.0 technology and keen to explore its potential;
• A great communicator, both in writing and verbally;
• Calm and professional under pressure;
• Able to work as part of a team and with a range of partners;
• Flexible and extremely well organised;
• Keenly interested in English PEN's wider work for literature and free speech.

To apply

Please send a cover letter (with ref: Writers in Translation in the subject line) and your CV to Amy Oliver: amy@englishpen.org, by 5pm on Wednesday 25th November 2009. Interviews will be held in central London in early December. Successful applicants should be available to start work in January 2010.

We offer

• A fulfilling job, working on a range of challenging issues with a diverse team based in an exciting new centre for literature, literacy and free speech.
• Flexible working.
• 25 days Annual Leave (pro rata) per annum plus public holidays.

Salary: £23-25,000, pro rata, depending on experience, three days per week, until 31 October 2009

Please note: only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Voluteers

We are always looking for volunteers to help out with our regular programme of Writers in Public events so do fill out one of our online volunteer forms if you are interested in finding out more.

Source : http://www.englishpen.org/aboutenglishpen/vacancies/