POSITION OF MANAGER WITH THE NATIONAL BOOK COUNCIL: JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 881/2025

Nomenclatures denoting the male gender include also the female gender.

1. The Executive Chairperson, National Book Council invites applications for the position of Manager in the office of the National Book Council. 

Terms and Conditions

2.1 The appointment is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months.

2.2 During the probationary period, appointees must successfully complete appropriate programmes organised by the Institute for the Public Services.

2.3 The salary for the post of Manager is Salary Scale 7, which in the year 2025 is €31,732 per annum, rising by annual increments of €596 up to a maximum of €36,500, excluding a performance bonus, expense, car and communication allowances which form part of the package attached to the post.

2.4 Appointees shall also be entitled to an annual performance bonus of up to 10% of the basic salary subject to satisfactory performance and Entity’s policies.

2.5 The result will be valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of publication.

2.6 In terms of the requirements emanating from Directive 16, regarding the “Governing Framework for Preventing and Managing Conflicts of Interest in the Public Administration”, issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary on 27 November 2023 and which came to force on 1 February 2024, the Selection Board will assess candidates’ previous employments to assess potential conflicts of interest. In this respect, candidates are to provide a completely updated CV, including qualifications and employment history with their application. Any potential conflict of interest matters noted will be reported to the respective Permanent Secretary, to ensure that should the candidate be selected, such conflicts of interest would be appropriately managed. 

Moreover, selected candidates are to report any known actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest prior to accepting an appointment, through the prescribed Declaration available at Appendix 1 to Directive 16.

2.7 The National Book Council (NBC) would like to remind all interested applicants that it has zero tolerance policy towards any form of child abuse. NBC adheres to S.L. 327.456 (Recruitment and Continuous Professional Development of Personnel and Protection of Minors in Compulsory Education Regulations 2016) in its recruitment process.

Duties

3. The duties of Manager include: 

1. Overseeing high-profile projects, managing key events, fostering stakeholder relationships and driving strategic objectives;
2. Contributing to the  implementation of the National Book Council’s strategy and programmes for the years 2025-2030;
3. Supporting the National Book Council’s operation by performing at a high-level as assigned within any one of its functions for the effective and efficient delivery of its business, to implement and execute initiatives, programmes, measures and schemes funded under any Programmes and Initiatives line items and/or Contributions to Government Entities and/or any other tasks as assigned by the Executive Chairperson;
4. Contribute to planning, coordination and delivery of the Malta Book Festival, ensuring high-quality execution, including managing tenders, RfQs and integrating initiatives, coordinate all logistics and oversee final reporting on outcomes and participation;
5. Provide operational support for other NBC programmes, including the National Book Prize with responsibilities ranging from event coordination to proofreading materials;
6. Build and maintain relationships with key local and international stakeholders, including cultural institutions, publishers, government bodies and educational organisations;
7. Represent the National Book Council in media engagements, conferences and international meetings, showcasing Malta’s literary achievements and publishing industry;
8. Support in the preparation of tender and grant applications, plan and oversee budgets for events and publishing initiatives under their purview, ensuring alignment and adherence to public procurement regulations and financial best practices;
9. Draft and edit official reports, publications and public communications including the NBC’s Annual Report;
10. Contributing to the National Book Council’s attainment of high-level accountability and transparency by following at all times all Public Procurement Regulations, providing a timely and effective response to queries by Audit Missions from the Internal Audit and Compliance Unit within the Ministry, the National Audit Office or the Ombudsman;
11. Any other duties as directed by the Chairperson of the National Book Council or his/her representative/s;
12. Any other duties according to the exigencies of the Public Sector as directed by the Principal Permanent Secretary.

Eligibility requirements

4.1 By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be: 

(i) citizens of Malta citizens or any other EU/EEA member state; 

(ii) Able to communicate effectively and speak fluently in both Maltese and English.

AND

(iii) In possession of a recognised Master’s qualification at MQF Level 7 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS/ECVET credits or equivalent*) in Arts or Literature or Publishing or a comparable professional qualification or in relevant area as determined by Management;

* A recognised Masters qualification with a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits is only accepted subject to a MQRIC formal Master’s recognition statement being submitted with the application. A recognised Masters qualification from the University of Malta (awarded pre-2009) with less than 60 ECTS/ECVET credits is acceptable provided that it is verified by MQRIC that the workload is comparable to at least 60 ECTS/ECVET credits.

OR

(iv) In possession of a recognised Bachelor’s Degree at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits or equivalent*) in Arts or Literature or Publishing or a comparable professional qualification or in relevant areas as determined by Management and two (2) years satisfactory managerial experience;

* A recognised Qualification comparable to 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, as applicable is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application.

4.2 (i) Moreover candidates who have not yet formally obtained any of the above-mentioned qualifications will still be considered. Such candidates are to submit evidence that they have been approved for the award of the qualification in question. 

(ii) Furthermore, candidates who are currently following a recognised programme of study at a higher MQF level than that requested above will also be considered. Such candidates are to submit evidence that they have successfully completed the necessary ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, and attained the required MQF level, by the closing time and date of the call for applications. Prospective applicants should note the requirement to produce MQRIC recognition statements in respect of their qualifications from MQRIC, or other designated authorities, as applicable, as per provisions applicable to this call for applications.

4.3 Public Officers, or Public Sector employees seconded with the Malta Public Service or Public Officers who are on loan/detailed with/deployed with Public Sector organisations or Public Sector employees engaged with a public entity may also apply. 

Submission of supporting documentation

5.1 Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates/ transcripts and/or testimonials, copies of which are to be scanned and sent through nationalbookcouncil@gov.mt .

5.2 Original certificates and/or testimonials are to be invariably produced for verification at the interview.

Selection procedure

6.1 Eligible applicants will be assessed by a selection board to determine their suitability for the post. The maximum mark for this selection process is one hundred percent (100%) and the pass mark is fifty percent (50%).

6.2 Due consideration will be given to applicants who, besides the requisites indicated in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3, have proven relevant work experience. 

Submission of applications

7.1 Applications are to be submitted, for the attention of the National Book Council, only at the following address: nationalbookcouncil@gov.mt . Applications are to include: 

(i) an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (including list of qualifications & employment history);

(ii) an updated Service and Leave Record Form (GP 47) or a similar document;

(iii) a Certificate of Conduct in pdf format;

(iv) an official transcript of qualifications;

(v)  a covering letter. 

7.2 Closing date of the receipt of applications is 12:00 hrs (Central European Time) of Friday, 19 September 2025. An acknowledgment of the application will be sent.

7.3 It is the responsibility of the applicants not to leave until the last moment for submission of their application.

7.4 Applications which are received after closing date and time (i.e. late applications) will be considered as ineligible and invalid.

7.5 Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after closing date and time of this call for applications, to submit any incorrect or incomplete or missing documents.

Mr Mark Camilleri – Executive Chairperson

National Book Council