St.

George's, University of London

COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES

MANAGING EDITOR
REF: 500-10
JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title Managing Editor

Grade SGUL 7

Responsible to Coordinating Editor, Cochrane Airways Group

Accountable to Head of Division (Community Health Sciences)

Responsible for

Liaises with Trials Search Coordinator; Cochrane systematic reviewer

1. Overall purpose of job

The Cochrane Airways Group (CAG), a review group of The Cochrane Collaboration, has a
large portfolio of reviews and a managing editor is required to support the editorial process for
new and updated Cochrane reviews and protocols. The job will entail working closely and
collaboratively with an information specialist and a Cochrane systematic reviewer to ensure
that the CAG reviews published on The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reflect
current methodological recommendations outlined in The Cochrane Handbook, and that this
is achieved in a timely fashion.

2. Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day to day management of the editorial office of the CAG.
• Use the Cochrane Information Management System to monitor
progress with CAG reviews and manage the editorial process of the
group
• Maintain contact with members of the editorial board and to ensure
the timely turnaround of work from editors and authors submitting
work for editorial review.
• Monitor and report productivity to funders of the CAG and the
Cochrane Collaboration
• Represent the CAG at national and international events associated
with The Cochrane Collaboration (UK meetings and Cochrane
Colloquia)

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 • Provide access to training materials and related resources to CAG
review authors
• Prioritise review titles for updating in conjunction with Coordinating
Editor, Trial Search Coordinator and members of the editorial board.
• Provide methodological input on protocols and reviews submitted for
editorial approval by review authors, and determine when they are fit
for editorial review.
• Identify and recruit peer referees for protocols, reviews and review
updates as necessary in conjunction with the Coordinating Editor.
• Ensure that protocols or reviews are copyedited according to
standard recommendations from the Cochrane Style Guide.
• Manage publication process for new protocols, reviews and review
updates (including collecting signed license for publication and
declaration of interests statements; copying signed license forms and
sending to the Cochrane Collaboration secretariat, and logging the
collection of forms).

3. Nature and Scope of Job

The job is a vital part of ensuring the quality of protocols and reviews published is of a
sufficient standard, and that outputs reflect the most important reviews.

4. Special Factors
Travel to national and international meetings is required. The national meeting UK contributor
to The Cochrane Collaboration occurs on an annual basis. The Cochrane Colloquium, held in
different locations around the world, is also on an annual basis.

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 Person Specification

Description
Criteria Essential/ How it is to
be tested
Desirable

Undergraduate Degree
Qualifications E CV, AF

Postgraduate qualification D CV, AF

Experience of supporting the production of systematic

Experience E SS, INT, ST
reviews

Experience/knowledge of The Cochrane Collaboration and D INT, AF, ST

The Cochrane Library

Understanding of systematic reviews

Knowledge/ Skills E SS, INT, ST

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills E SS, INT

Competent use of Microsoft Office tools, specifically Excel E SS, AF, ST

and Word, and Review Manager software

Flexible
Personal E INT
Attributes

Enthusiastic E INT

Committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) E INT

Key:
AF=Application Form, CV=Curriculum Vitae, SS=Supporting Statements, ST=Selection
Test/Presentation, INT=Interview

Note: Elements marked SS (Supporting Statements) in the Person Specification will be highlighted in
Step 6 (Supporting Statements) on the online application form. Applicants’ answers to Step 6 are an
essential part of the selection process. Applicants should write individual supporting statements to
demonstrate how their qualifications, experience, skills and training fit each of the elements
highlighted in this section. Applicants should address other elements of the Person Specification in
Step 7 (Additional Information). Shortlisting will be based on applicants’ responses to Step 6 and
Step 7. Therefore applicants should complete both sections as fully as possible on the online
application form.

31st March 2010.

Information about the University

About St George’s, University of London

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St. George’s, University of London, is the only remaining independently governed
medical school in the country. A College of the University of London, we have been
providing medical and healthcare training for over 250 years.

Our Mission is “to promote by excellence in teaching, clinical practice and research,
the prevention, treatment and understanding of disease.”

5,500 students study at St George’s, divided between two faculties, Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences, and Health & Social Care Sciences (a joint venture with
Kingston University). Our courses range from medicine, biomedical sciences,
nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, to therapeutic and diagnostic radiography as well
as post graduate courses.

St George’s prides itself on providing the highest standard of learning through the
latest in teaching and learning resources, exceptional research, innovative course
development, enterprise and innovation, and strategic partnerships.

We were the first to introduce a 4 year MBBS Graduate Entry Programme (GEP)
open to graduates from all disciplines. Our latest Biomedical Informatics degree, a
programme that brings together computing, medicine, and biology in various different
applications, has seen significant enrolment in its inaugural year.

In research, we are equally as innovative and driven by high standards of excellence

to advance healthcare. The 4 major research themes at St George’s are Cardiac &
Vascular Sciences, Cell Signalling, Epidemiology, and Infection, including research
on HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, Stroke and hypertension.

St George’s success has been aided by our strategic partnerships with other
institutions. Our life-long partnership with St George’s Hospital has created a unique
learning and research environment. Our joint Faculty of Health and Social Care
Sciences, and our Foundation Year Medicine programme with Kingston University,
have significantly broadened access to medical and healthcare education for
students previously excluded from the higher education experience. And our new
three-way alliance with Kingston University and Royal Holloway, University of London
will create still more new opportunities at both the undergraduate and postgraduate
level such as the BSc in Biomedical Science.

In 2001, St George’s established an Enterprise and Innovation Centre to encourage

the transfer of knowledge and skills to business and the wider community.

St George’s academic provision is organised into 6 divisions: Basic Medical

Sciences, Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, Clinical Developmental Sciences, Cellular
and Molecular Medicine, Community Health Sciences, and Mental Health Sciences.
More information about these divisions and their research specialisms can be found
at www.sgul.ac.uk.

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Terms and Conditions of Employment (Grades 5- 8)

A full statement of the terms and conditions will be sent to the successful candidate.

Post title: Managing Editor

Contract type: Fixed term until March 2015

Probation period: Six months

Grade: SGUL7

London allowance: £2,787 per annum

Salary range: £36,715 - £37,839 - £38,951 - £40,119 - £41,323 - £42,563 -

£43,840 discretionary points £45,155 - £46,510 - £47,905

Hours: 35 hours per week notionally. Staff are expected to work the
hours necessary to meet the requirements of the role.

Annual leave: 32 days per annum

Plus eight UK public holidays and three days when St
George’s is closed (usually between Christmas and New
Year). Part time staff receive a pro rata entitlement.

Pension: Membership of USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme,

employee contribution rate is 6.35%) or of SAUL
(Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London,
employee contribution rate is 6%) is optional. Existing
members of NHSSS (National Health Service Superannuation
Scheme) may elect to remain as members of that scheme.

Notice period: 3 months

Offers of Offers of appointment are only valid if made by the Director of

employment Administration or designated members of the Human
Resources Department acting on his behalf.

Offers of appointment are made subject to receipt of

satisfactory references and satisfactory completion of
probationary periods where appropriate.

Place of residence It is St George’s policy that all postholders must live within 30
miles of St George’s on appointment unless otherwise agreed
by Council.

Right to work St George’s will comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act
1996 which requires all employees to provide documentary
evidence of their legal right to work in the UK prior to
commencing employment. For posts requiring a recognised
degree level qualification and where there is no suitable UK
or European Economic Area candidate, St George’s will take
necessary steps to secure a work permit from the Home
Office in order for a foreign national to take up employment.

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 All candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide
copies of one of the following official documents:

• Copies of the identification pages or appropriate visa

pages of their passport describing the holder as a British
citizen or a EEA national or showing that they are
otherwise entitled to work in the United Kingdom.
• A birth certificate issued in the UK or in the Republic of
Ireland.
• A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British
citizen.
• A letter issued by the Border and Immigration Agency of
the Home Office indicating that the person has permission
to take up employment.

All successful candidates will be required to provide the

originals of one of the above documents on commencing
employment.

Medical Clearance St George’s reserves the right to request successful

candidates (including internal candidates) to complete pre-
employment health questionnaires. In accordance with this,
any offer of employment is made subject to satisfactory health
clearance by the Staff Health Department.

No smoking St George’s has established a no-smoking policy to minimise

risks to the health of staff and to maintain a tobacco smoke
free working environment. Smoking is not permitted in any of
the St George’s buildings or grounds.

Equal St George's, University of London confirms its commitment to

Opportunities a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in employment
in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of
their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal
opportunities within St George’s. The aim of this policy is to
ensure that no job applicant or employee should receive less
favourable treatment on any grounds not relevant to good
employment practice. St George’s is committed to action to
make this policy fully effective.

CRB/ROA Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure

This post is subject to the successful candidate being asked

to apply for Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) at Standard Level. Further information regarding
Disclosure can be found at www.disclosure.gov.uk

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying,
this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the

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 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order
1975. Applicants are therefore not entitled to withhold
information about convictions, which for other purposes are
regarded as 'spent' under the provisions of the Act, and in the
event of employment, any failure to disclose such convictions
could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by St George's,
University of London. Convictions within the Armed Services,
outside the United Kingdom or disciplinary action by certain
professional bodies must also be included.

Any information given will be completely confidential and will

be considered only in relation to posts to which the Order
applies.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Chris Cates at ccates@sgl.ac.uk or Toby

Lasserson on tlassers@sgul.ac.uk

Making an application:

All applicants are encouraged to apply on line at http://jobs.sgul.ac.uk as our system

is user friendly and the online application form is simple to complete.

Recruitment Team
Human Resources Department

Tel: 020 8725 5020 (24 hour answerphone)

Fax: 020 8725 3426

Email: jobs@sgul.ac.uk

Closing date: 23 April 2010

Interview date: 21 May 2010

As shortlisted candidates will be notified by email, it is imperative that you provide an

email address that is accessed frequently.

References will be taken up before interview unless you indicate otherwise as part of
your application.

Please quote reference: 500-10

Thank you for your interest in working at St George’s, University of London. All
applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by email (or by post if
no email address is supplied). We aim to respond to all candidates within 5 weeks of
the closing date of the vacancy.

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 ST George’s, University of London
STAFF BENEFITS
1. Pay and Pensions

Final salary pension schemes (including option to continue existing membership of

NHS pension scheme)
Pension Scheme Employee’s Contribution Employer’s
Contribution
NHSS 6% 14%
SAUL 6% 13%
USS 6.35% 14%
• Promotion procedure (annual) to recognise increases in responsibilities
• Merit Increments reviews (annual) to recognise and reward outstanding
performance

2. Annual Leave
• Minimum entitlement of 27 days per year or maximum 32 days (pro-rata for part-
time staff)
• 8 Bank Holidays
• 3 extra statutory days per year (normally between Christmas and New Year)

3. Work/Life Balance
• Flexible Working (part-time or reduced hours of work, opportunities to work
from home for many posts, local flexibility in agreeing start and finish times of work)
• Generous maternity leave benefits (8 weeks full pay and 16 weeks half-pay)
after completing one year's continuous service
• Long term sickness absence pay (rising to 6 months full pay and 6 months
half pay after 5 years' service)
• Adoption and Paternity Leave entitlements
• Paid Time Off for Dependants (compassionate leave or for domestic
emergencies)
• Parental Leave
• Childcare Voucher scheme

4. Staff Development Programme

• Personal Development Review (appraisal) scheme for all staff.
• Comprehensive programme of training and development
• Management Development programme
• Learning and Teaching Support programme for teachers of students
• Dedicated programme for Research Staff, including career development,
writing for publication and planning and managing a research project.
• Departmental and central funding for staff development

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 • Opportunity to achieve European Computer Driving Licence qualification

5. Trade Union and Staff Representatives

• Staff Forum for representatives of all staff groups to raise employment issues
• Formal recognition agreements with a number of trade unions

6. Staff Support
• Occupational Health Service
• Staff counselling and support service

7. Staff Facilities
• Sports Club (gymnasium, exercise classes, four open squash courts, two
aerobics room, one resistance machine room and one free weight rooms)
• St George’s Club, Bar and Shops
• Interest-free loans for season tickets, car parking permits and costs of training
courses.

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