Job Description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

Duties and responsibilities:
Strategy & Planning

• Research information services.
• Deliver enhanced and focused Library research support to postgraduate students and researchers (in-depth knowledge of research topics, information searches, information and reference services, selective dissemination of information).
• Contribute to quality research through embedded Librarianship and support throughout the research cycle by:

- Preparing for research studies (Background reading/looking for ideas/determining if previous studies have already been done on the topic).
- Gathering information (Literature review, search strategies).
- Creating research output (Referencing styles, reference management tools).
- Sharing research output (Publication in accredited journals, steering clear of predatory journals).
- Measuring research output (Journal impact factors, collaboration opportunities, bibliometrics, altmetrics).

• Bridge the communication gap between service beneficiaries and the library (LibGuides, liaison role, attend Faculty/departmental meetings, social media, KovsieFM, etc.).
• Conduct quality assurance and assessment on teaching and learning services delivered.

Training

• Deliver structured library orientation for all postgraduate students and researchers.
• Develop and offer general content and assessment for the multi-literacy online course (Information, digital and research literacy skills).
• Develop and offer customised content and assessment for specific and focused credit-bearing training interventions, such as research methodology, in collaboration with academics.
• Equip graduates with attributes for academic success and life-long learning: research literacy.
• Contribute to staging the annual Library Research Week.

Strategic relations

• Develop effective strategic relations and stakeholder management internally and externally.
• Increase the visibility of the UFS LIS in academic programmes of the various Faculties (Develop researcher-librarian collaborations, etc.).
• Conduct general and focused roadshows to internal stakeholders.
• Conduct customer satisfaction and information needs surveys to determine users' perception of the LIS.
• Participate in campus-wide events (career fairs, open days, public/inaugural/memorial lectures, etc.).
• Market Library services and resources to support academic excellence (Library open days, e-resources, etc.).

Collection development and management

• Build a comprehensive collection that meets the needs of the various Faculties.
• Assess the current collection and confirm its status to ensure relevancy, currency and usage, serve in Accreditation Boards, etc.
• Manage the selection of balanced information resources to meet the teaching and learning information needs of users (Avoid unnecessary duplication).
• Keep track of the UFS LIS information resources budget and report on under- and/or over-expenditure.
• Conduct stocktaking of internal stakeholders' collections annually.
• Create awareness and train stakeholders on the available information resources to improve usage. Conduct shelf readings of allocated shelves daily.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree on NQF level 7 in Library and Information Science or equivalent
• Or any degree plus a postgraduate diploma on NQF level 8 in Library and Information Science.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience related to the duties and responsibilities.
• 2023 LIASA Membership Certificate.

Recommendations:

• Honours degree /Postgraduate Diploma on NQF level 8.
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, and procedures.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body.
• Extensive knowledge of research data metrics.
• Knowledge of the NRF ratings.
• Training and facilitation skills.

Competencies

Key Competencies Required:

• Results-oriented:

- The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
- The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable, and to fulfil obligations.

• Strategic thinking:

- The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.
- The ability to deal with several activities at a time.

• Business Acumen:

- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.

• Leading:

- The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
- The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

• Building coalitions:

- The ability to make decisions through consultation, collaboration, and working with close supervision.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Required Documents

Please ensure that all relevant documentation is attached to your application.

• A detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter.
• Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
• A copy of your identity document (ID or passport in the case of foreign nationals).
• Proof of registration with a Professional Body (if applicable).
• A copy of your driver's license (if applicable).
• Confirmation of employment from current employer / last employer if unemployed (only applicable to external applicants).

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
05 February 2024.

Salary:
The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:
For enquiries, please feel free to contact me at 051 401 9810 or email at or . Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2979/ 9813/ 9814/ 9848/ 7659 for assistance.

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups, including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at:

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position.

Additional Information

University of the Free State