The position is located in the UN Geneva Library. The Library is an ensemble of the Library Services Section, the Institutional Memory Section, and the Knowledge and Learning Commons. The incumbent will report to the Chief Librarian.
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provides strategic direction, coordination, management, supervision and resource allocation for the Section’s operations. Determines priorities, establishes policies, procedures and meaningful performance measures to monitor the impact and relevance of library operations and knowledge and learning activities. Promotes continuous improvement.
- Identifies, builds and maintains strategic partnerships and promotes collaboration with information/knowledge throughout the UN Secretariat, broader UN system and information providers worldwide to increase relevance, impact, visibility and access to the Organization’s information/knowledge base. Co-ordinates participation in cross-cutting activities on information/knowledge management. Seeks synergy within the service and with UN libraries in joint utilization of the resources available. Maintains liaison with other national and international organizations. Participates in cooperative ventures and keeps abreast of developments in knowledge-based information services, techniques and technologies. Liaises with UN departments and agencies, NGOs, Member States, the host city and country, academia and the media, in the furtherance of the work of the Section. Participates in inter-agency meetings and/or prepare policy papers for such meetings.
- Oversees the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the provision of library and outreach operations, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, recruitment, evaluation and development of staff in order to meet programme objectives in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Provides guidance on content and presentation of guided tours, operation of group programmes and on preparation, content and production of information, current awareness and capacity-building products, including responses to enquiries, background papers, audio and visual materials, social media and the internet and intranet presence. Provides guidance on collection development, maintenance and preservation, including resource description and access. Designs, conducts and evaluates programs of outreach and learning, including library events and Knowledge and Learning Commons activities, and oversees their logistical organization.
- Represents or ensures representation of the service in meetings on information/knowledge management matters, participates in inter-agency meetings and/or prepares policy papers for such meetings. Represents the Chief Librarian and Chairman, Cultural Activities Committee in cultural and other activities and events as and when required.
- Acts as executive officer for the Library, including the planning and management of financial, procurement and human resources activities.
•Professionalism: Knowledge of records management and archives. Knowledge of library operations, knowledge management and electronic data management, combined with knowledge of records management and archives; Knowledge of UN finance and human resources rules and regulations. 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. Ability to provide seasoned technical advice across the entire span of library and information network activities in a program covering a diversity of information needs and functions. 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.
• 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.
•Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
•Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
•Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in library and information science, archives management, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in library and information management, archives management or related area is required. Work experience in an international organization, preferably within the United Nations Common Sytem, is highly desirable. Experience in outreach, as well as in event design and management is highly desirable. Experience in archives management is desirable. Experience in formulating budgets and performance review documents is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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 March 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
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.
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.
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.
