3.2.2.9 The Managing Editor (formerly 'Review Group Co-ordinator')

The Managing Editor (ME) is a key member of the editorial team who is based at the administrative base.  They will have the challenging task of the day-to-day management of a Cochrane Review Group with members all over the world, for many of whom English is not their first language. The Co-ordinating Editor must be available to provide regular help and support to the Managing Editor.

Potential applicants for this post need to know what the job entails. Each Group should decide and make clear for which functions the Managing Editor will be responsible, in advance of the appointment, while allowing for some flexibility according to the particular skills and aptitudes of the person appointed. A clear job description is essential and should be sent to short-listed candidates before the interview, together with additional information about The Cochrane Collaboration. All members of the interviewing panel should be well briefed beforehand about the specific tasks facing the Managing Editor and the skills needed to carry them out. Paragraph 3.2.8.5 gives examples of an advertisement, a job description and a person specification for an Managing Editor.

The Monitoring and Registration Committee should be informed of any new Managing Editors starting with the organization. The Cochrane Operations Unit should also be informed, so that they can send a welcome letter early on when the Managing Editor starts the role. Training is also available for new Managing Editors in such tasks as co-ordinating handsearching and using the Collaboration software. It is helpful to attend one of the workshops run by Cochrane Centres on protocol development, and on using the Review Manager software. Time spent with the Managing Editor of an established Group is also useful.

Funds should be procured where required to provide computing, medical/specialist and clerical/secretarial support to the Managing Editor, who should not feel that the entire burden of what needs to be done falls on them. Software (Information Management System (IMS) and Review Manager (RevMan)) has been specially developed by The Cochrane Collaboration to automate the process by which Managing Editors prepare their Group’s module. Managing Editors can also obtain support from the IMS team at the Nordic Cochrane Centre concerning the RevMan and IMS software.