Job title: Technical Writer, Maritime Books (Contract)
Department: Commercial
Reports to: Publications Manager
Location: London
Salary: Competitive, available on request
Applications close: 31 January 2022
Job description and key responsibilities
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and professional writer to develop and update maritime best practice and guidance books for the merchant shipping sector.
International Chamber of Shipping publications promote and support shipping industry best practices and provide guidance across all key sectors and trades of the maritime industry. Rigorous in development, and regularly used and recommended by ship operators globally, ICS publications are an important complement to international regulations and are essential for every maritime bookcase.
Working with the International Chamber of Shipping technical team and under the guidance of the Publications Manager, you will be responsible for writing maritime best practices, taking the book from initial concept to delivery of the final manuscript. Along the way you will consult with technical experts, both in-house and through our broad membership, and conduct interviews and original research to ensure the books are factually correct, comply with current regulations and give clear, consistent guidance for use on board ship and in on-shore departments.
Responsibilities include:
- Write four books to schedule, and provide ad hoc writing support as needed
- Conduct research to establish best practices through interviews, working groups and independent research
- Build a strong understanding of the audience and reader’s needs for each publication
- Write books in agreed house style, establishing a consistent tone and writing in plain English for an international reader
- Lead working group meetings
- Identify extra resources required, e.g. graphics, and brief designers
- Redraft in response to feedback from in-house and external reviews
- Meet agreed deadlines and budgets
Experience and skills required
This role will suit somebody with experience working in the merchant shipping industry – either on ships or on shore, or in maritime journalism – who has ideally written procedures or best practices that have improved on board working. You will have a deep understanding of the reality of working on board, and have a flair for writing clear, user-friendly text that gets to the point quickly and that suits an international, busy reader. Your attention to detail will be second to none, and you will be adept at consolidating a broad range of source material into a concise, coherent book. The ability to convey technical information visually will be a distinct plus.
A creative thinker, you will be able to quickly sort out what information is relevant and what is not, and have a strong understanding of the needs of the reader. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your value and contribute to safe, environmentally responsible practices in shipping.
Starting on a one-year contract, there is the opportunity to transition to a permanent role.
Essential skills
- Demonstrable experience of writing similar material
- Writing in plain English with a firm understanding of the reader
- Proactive and able to act on own initiative
- Quick to learn
- Attention to detail
- Excellent organisation and record-keeping
- Excellent communication
Desirable skills
- Experience of writing for the maritime or regulatory sectors
Working at the International Chamber of Shipping
The International Chamber of Shipping is the principal trade association working with ship owners and operators as members in around 40 countries across the world and representing over 80% of the merchant tonnage carried on the world’s oceans at key international bodies including the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization. Its primary concern is with a wide range of maritime affairs including regulatory, environmental, people, safety, trade and legal issues.
We have just recently moved into a brand new and very modern office space based in Seething Lane, close to Fenchurch Street, Tower Bridge and Bank stations.
In this full-time role you can expect to work in the office for at least three days a week on a flexible basis, combined with home working for the rest of the time. We have a great team culture, have grown considerably over the last year and are proud of the excellent longevity we have across the whole team.
How to apply
Send the following material to Emily Yates (ICS Publications Manager) by 31 January:
- Your CV.
- A covering letter explaining why you are suitable for the job.
- Examples of previous work on similar projects (including writing samples).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a written test. Selected candidates will be invited for interviews in w/c 21 February 2022.
Applications Close: 31 January 2021
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