The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT
Closing date: 15 Jul 2010
Location: Kenya
Closing date: 15 Jul 2010
Location: Kenya
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION: Nairobi
GRADE: NO B
POST DURATION: Two Years
DUTY STATION: Nairobi
GRADE: NO B
POST DURATION: Two Years
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The post is located in the Information Management Unit, Information Services Section within the Office of the Executive Director, UN-HABITAT
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The post is located in the Information Management Unit, Information Services Section within the Office of the Executive Director, UN-HABITAT
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall supervision of Chief, Information Services Section, and direct supervision of Head, Information Management Unit, the Assistant Librarian is responsible for maintaining UN-HABITAT collection, in the Library and coordination of UN-HABITAT Library partnership with National University Libraries, and Kenya National Library on the Container Library Project, and facilitate information provision to Ministry of Housing Staff in Kenya for closer collaboration with the Agency, The incumbent will perform the following duties;
Under the overall supervision of Chief, Information Services Section, and direct supervision of Head, Information Management Unit, the Assistant Librarian is responsible for maintaining UN-HABITAT collection, in the Library and coordination of UN-HABITAT Library partnership with National University Libraries, and Kenya National Library on the Container Library Project, and facilitate information provision to Ministry of Housing Staff in Kenya for closer collaboration with the Agency, The incumbent will perform the following duties;
1.Maintain the partnership developed with the University Librarians and Kenya National Library Services in order to enhance information and knowledge sharing, and capacity building initiatives; maintain close contacts with the University Librarians and coordinate bi monthly workshops and coordinate the use of library by University staff who are taking relevant subjects to the work of UN-HABITAT and ensure the distribution of UN-HABITAT publications to the University Libraries in Kenya and ensure that the University Libraries have allocated space for UN-HABITAT collection.
2.Undertake activities to bring information closer to the people who live in informal settlement areas through partnership with Kenya National Library Services in the Container Library Project.
3,Undertake outreach activities to promote capacity building in the region especially post conflict countries. Coordinate with the respective countries through the Ministries of Housing and Urbanization their information training needs, and undertake training on different information management topics as required.
4. Ensure that the Ministry of Housing in Kenya is provided with the information they need in order to understand UN-HABITAT mandate and to enable them participate in UN-HABIATA events effectively.
5. Use knowledge of institutional information needs to carry out periodic needs analysis and consult staff and partners, including national partners, to evaluate, recommend and acquire printed and electronic material to be added to the library collection. Monitor the selection of such material and order/subscribe as needed.
6. Maintain the Library web page promoting effective access of information resources; participate in collaborative digital reference services and contribute to relevant subject portals in partnership with UNEP. In collaboration with UNEP ensure participation of relevant Library users in the country to free online databases Online Access to Research on the Environment (OARE).
7. Use knowledge of institutional information needs to carry out periodic needs analysis and consult staff and partners to evaluate, recommend and acquire printed and electronic material to be added to the library collection. Monitor the selection of such material and order/subscribe as needed.
8. Undertake the physical processing of new acquisition, and prepare abstracts for circulation to staff for information. Perform collection maintenance according to the library’s classification, including: indexing, and cataloguing UN-HABITAT’S print and electronic information resources.
9. Carry out reference interview with staff to find out information that meet their needs and compile appropriate lists for Selective Dissemination of Information. Assist staff and national and other partners with research on a range of Urbanization issues, including compilation of relevant materials from online and other sources.
10.Evaluate adequacy of existing reference and information management tools, such as databases, to ensure that new tools developed for efficient access to information are accessible to staff and partners throughout the Office. Provide technical support and instructions to library patrons using electronic resources and reference tools.
11. Participate in the investigation of the use of web 2.0 tools and social networking sites for the development of the Library, and cconduct periodic user satisfaction surveys and take action to improve Library services accordingly.
12. Provide assistance on the Intranet content management and advise UN-HABITAT staff seeking expertise on information architecture, content organization, and meta-data standards on the intranet. Add content, Administer and participate in Intranet marketing strategy through training, presentations and seminars
13.Undertake any other duties as requested by the Head Information Management Unit or Chief, Information Services Section
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.
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.
CREATIVITY: Ability to actively seek improvement of library services and to offer new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Ability to conceptualize innovative ideas for the improvement of the Library and for building partnership with the National Libraries. Ability to apply different information dissemination methodologies to reach different target groups
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Ability to identify clients’ needs and match them to appropriate solutions, and anticipate problems; Ability to meet timeliness for delivery of products or services to clients. Knowledge of Operations of National Libraries.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS
In-depth knowledge of information sources, including the use of relevant databases, internet services and library sources; Ability to use automated information systems as applied to libraries and/or information networks.
In-depth knowledge of information sources, including the use of relevant databases, internet services and library sources; Ability to use automated information systems as applied to libraries and/or information networks.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: University degree in Library, Information Science or a related field, a higher diploma in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the University degree.
Education: University degree in Library, Information Science or a related field, a higher diploma in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the University degree.
Work Experience: At least three years of experience in library or information management field. Proven experience in electronic resource management as well as ability to manage complex problems and attend to user needs.
Language
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
Other skills.
- Good knowledge of relevant software applications to electronic information databases, online library resources and intranet resources is required.
- Ability to work independently, with minimum Supervision.
- Remuneration
- Good knowledge of relevant software applications to electronic information databases, online library resources and intranet resources is required.
- Ability to work independently, with minimum Supervision.
- Remuneration
See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
How to apply
All applications including covering note in electronic format should be submitted to:
All applications including covering note in electronic format should be submitted to:
Daniel Mukangura
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030
Nairobi, Kenya
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: Daniel.Mukangura@unhabitat.org
