Librarian (Digital Content Curation)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Library’s primary functions aim to connect Member State delegations, United Nations staff, researchers and world citizens with trusted information/data, facts and human knowledge about and for the UN. It provides a foundation for facilitation, dissemination, use, access to, engagement with, and preservation of information and knowledge in support for the work, principles and mission of the Organization.

The incumbent will act as Unit Coordinator for Digital Content Curation reporting directly to the Head of the Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Librarian will be responsible for the following duties:

• Takes the lead in the formulation of overall policies, procedures, objectives and guidelines affecting the development and maintenance of the Library’s collection(s).
• Oversees the consortium programme of UN entities (UNSEIAC) in the subscription of electronic resources, working with relevant UN Secretariat offices in the negotiation of prices and licenses. Evaluates the performance of vendors and exchange partners and negotiates charges where necessary. Formulates and implements projects and provides advice and assistance in setting up, expanding and/or reorganizing libraries or information resource centers.
• Implements new technologies in digital information management to ensure library staff and other staff throughout the Organization have modern tools for efficient access to information; translates immediate requirements into prototype solutions and oversee their subsequent full implementation
• Provides technical expertise and project management support in the curation and stewardship of digital collections on various platforms, including the United Nations Digital Library; develops, implements and monitors the digital preservation strategy for the Dag Hammarskjold Library. Advises other units and departments seeking expertise in information architecture and content organization, including Internet/Intranet sites, using in-depth understanding of institutional Intranet and knowledge management activities; identifies, analyzes, and interprets trends or patterns, using machine learning techniques, statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data.
• Routinely performs high level research and analyses, applying extensive experience in the integration of information from a wide variety of sources, necessitating not only significant understanding of the Organization’s mandate, but also the ability to assess the relevance of external information to the Organization’s work.
• Develops and coordinates reference services and tools to ensure adequate services and to maximize the utilization of collections.
• Evaluates applications and cost-effectiveness of services in relation to technology options and prepares data and recommendations for decision-making; creates a link between libraries and related information networks.
• Participates in the planning and organizing of training for headquarters and mission staff and visitors with respect to utilization of library services.
• Guides, trains and supervises general service and professional staff in the function.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of library operations and electronic data management. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills and identify issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to develop sources for data collection, assess client groups’ information needs and be innovative in the design and delivery of appropriate targeted solutions across a range of specialized areas within the organization. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in library science, information science or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of post-qualification, progressively responsible experience in library work, information, digital content and assets management or related area is required.

Experience with digital curation for large scale institutional repositories implemented on technologies such as dSpace, Fedora, Invenio or similar, is desirable.

Experience with drafting and enforcing digital preservation policies is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply:Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus,Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia,Libya,Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau,Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar,Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan,Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.