VACANCY: Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Public Health in Africa

The Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHIA), a reputable peer-reviewed scholarly journal owned by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and published by AOSIS, is looking for a dynamic and experienced academic to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief to oversee the editorial process of this open-access scholarly journal.

JPHIA strives to remain a premier, high-quality scholarly journal with high visibility and impact that publishes international research in fields related to, amongst others,

• Aging and Health Promotion
• Mental Health and Injuries
• Cardio-Vascular Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Health Care and Policy (Global Health)
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology, Immunology and Vaccinology
• Data Science
• Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH)
• Pandemic Preparedness
• Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
• Governance and Leadership
• One Health Approach (Human, Animal, and Environment)
• Virology
• Recent Trends in Traditional Medicine, Health Research, and Development.

The Editor-in-Chief of JPHIA will be responsible for ensuring the quality and reputation of the journal, promoting it to potential authors and readers, and leading the editorial team made up of specialist Section Editors in various domains, such as those outlined above, to achieve the journal’s goals. The Editor-in-Chief of JPHIA is appointed by Africa CDC and typically serves a three-year term, which may be renewed, and up to five hours of work a week would be expected.

As JPHIA covers multiple disciplines, the Editor-in-Chief will have to rely on a team of suitably qualified associate or section Editors, the appointment of whom will be recommended by the Editor-in-Chief once appointed.

• Provide overall strategic direction and vision for the journal.
• Oversee the editorial process, including manuscript submission and peer-review.
• Ensure that all editorial decisions are made based on the journal’s scope, policies, and ethical guidelines.
• Manage the editorial team, including associate and section editors, editorial assistants, and reviewers.
• Ensure that the journal’s publication schedule is met, and that production is efficient.
• Promote the journal through social media, academic conferences, and other means.
• Work closely with the publisher and the journal oversight committee to ensure the journal’s long-term sustainability.
• Represent the journal in discussions with authors, readers, and other stakeholders.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments and trends in the field and incorporate them into the journal’s strategy and policies.
• Monitor the journal’s performance and recommend changes to improve quality, efficiency, and impact.

Expectations:

• Publish high-quality research in a timely and efficient manner.
• Maintain the journal’s reputation and position as a leading journal in the field.
• Foster a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and transparency in the editorial team.
• Promote diversity and inclusivity in the journal’s editorial process, authorship, and readership.
• Meet publication deadlines and manage the editorial process efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with the publisher, editorial team, authors, reviewers, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications and experiences:

• PhD in a discipline related to the journal’s focus and scope with a strong record of scholarly publications in quality journals and books.
• At least 5 years’ experience as an editor or associate/assistant editor for a scholarly journal, or a proven record of academic leadership.
• Experience as a member of an editorial board, a section editor, or reviewer for a scholarly journal shall be is advantageous.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and manage a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of the latest technological developments in scholarly publishing.
• Familiarity with publication ethics and guidelines.
• Understanding of the research landscape in the journal’s field.
• A strong commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and ethical practices.

If you meet these criteria and are passionate about leading a dynamic and successful editorial team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity with a cover letter, attaching your full Curriculum Vitae.

All submissions can be submitted online at this form and the following information will be required with each:

• A letter of motivation for your application, with personal contact details and specific reference to a publication history in a suitable academic field as well as to past editorial experience
• A link to an abridged Curriculum Vitae (CV) (include only the relevant information)
• Contact details of two professional/academic references
• Current institutional affiliation(s)
• ORCID with a fully populated online ORCID profile
• Scopus ID (optional but advantageous)
• Google Scholar ID (optional but advantageous).

AOSIS will contact all potential candidates once a decision has been made. Potential candidates may be asked to attend a virtual interview. For any further information or queries, please email us at indexing@aosis.co.za.

Closing time and date for applications: 11:00 West African Time/12:00 Central African Time/13:00 East Africa Time on 10 December 2024.