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Company: The Economist Group

Position: Director, China Forecasting Service (Based : Beijing)

Summary purpose of job

To be responsible for the production and quality of the China Forecasting Service and manage the China-based team. To develop and improve the service in line with clients needs. To help form a consistent editorial line on China and its provinces in conjunction with the editorial teams in Hong Kong and London.

To commission, edit, and write a range of reports, interpreting and forecasting economic, political and regulatory developments within a given product brief across the provinces of China. Work with the editorial teams in Asia and in London to build and update a coherent view and a consistent set of forecasts for China's provinces and contribute directly to the China Forecasting Service.

Key accountabilities

* Product management

To develop and improve the service in line with clients needs. Recommend changes and additions to the service and work with marketing to assess the potential market for new ideas and analyse the costs and time required to produce them. To provide training and support for the sales team and promote the service at client events, conferences and seminars

* Management and scheduling

To take line management responsibility for the members of the China-based team. This will involve recruitment, training, coaching, conducting formal performance reviews and dealing with any disciplinary issues. To make recommendations regarding salaries and promotions, supported by relevant evidence of performance standards.

To manage the distribution of the work within the China-based team in a transparent fashion.

* Editorial line

To help form a consistent editorial line on China and its provinces in conjunction with the editorial teams in Hong Kong and London. To ensure that the editorial line is adhered to throughout the service through second-checking and editing.

* Commissioning and managing contributors

Responsible for finding suitable contributors and commissioning reports. Provide sufficient direction to the contributor to ensure the comprehensiveness and relevance of the manuscript. Manage the delivery of the content and provide constructive feedback to contributors. To assist in the selection of contributors across the team and monitor the quality of existing contributors (and provide guidance on dismissing unsatisfactory contributors).

* Research

Conduct the necessary background research to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and comprehensiveness of the reports. Develop information sources including newspapers, statistical sources, government departments, personal contacts and online databases. Conduct interviews with politicians, public officials and business representatives.

* Editing/writing

Carry out a comprehensive first edit to ensure the reports adhere to the product brief and all the relevant information is presented within the word-lengths guidelines and with due reference to the EIU style guide. Write or re-write material where a contributor's original copy is substandard or incomplete. It is essential that all sources are properly referenced in line with company policy and copyright laws. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

Responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the analysis and interpretation of events and information across the service. Ensure that reports are factually accurate, literate, internally consistent and customer focused.

Reports are to be produced to a given production schedule and standard format.

Respond fully to queries raised during the editorial process within the team and by the editorial teams in Hong Kong and London.

* Second checking

Second check reports produced by fellow team members. Edited material should be checked for factual accuracy and sense checked for consistency, objectivity, coherence, conciseness and clarity and depth of analysis. Queries should be discussed with the originating editor with any unresolved issues being referred to the Editorial Director, Asia.

* Data and forecasts

Produce economic and political forecasts making full use of all available information. Work with the Economist, China Forecasting Service (who will be responsible for running the economic models) to create a set of coherent and defensible data and forecasts. Ensure that the data and forecasts are consistent with the analysis within the reports.

* Team work

Initiate and actively participate in discussions within the team to develop consensus views on China.

Work closely with the China editorial teams in Asia and in Europe to build a coherent and consistent view on China and its provinces and develop a defensible editorial line.

Actively join in discussions on the implications of the EIU global assumptions and events impacting on the region. Participate in the development of consensus views for the region. Co-operate with fellow colleagues covering China to ensure consistency between reports.

* Client relationships

Respond to client queries providing explanation and clarification regarding information contained in the published reports. Represent the Economist Intelligence Unit at conferences and seminars. Give interviews to media bodies such as television, radio or newspapers on behalf of the EIU.

Skills and capabilities profile

Education and training

* Relevant degree in Economics, International Relations or related subject.
* Ideally Masters degree of PhD.

Previous work experience

* Writing political and economic analysis on China for a business audience
* Producing economic forecasts
* Managing a team

Knowledge

* Detailed knowledge of China and its regions
* Knowledge of information sources and statistical suppliers in China
* Working knowledge of economic forecasting techniques and applied economics
* Understanding of the market for business intelligence in China

IT

* Good/intermediate computer skills in Word, Excel, the Internet and using online databases

Languages

* English, Chinese (both written and oral)

Personal attributes and skills

* Well-organised – able to schedule work across the team
* Excellent people manager, able to motivate and stimulate highly qualified individuals and build a strong and effective team
* Ability to maintain and defend the editorial line
* Personal pride in producing output of high quality and in developing the service
* Good time management skills and ability to work to deadlines
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to express complex ideas to a business audience
* A strong sense of client needs and the ability to deliver on these

If you would like to apply for this position, please email your CV and covering letter to chinarecruit@economist.com.

Closing date for applications is Thursday, May1, 2008.

The Economist Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer