University Librarian job at University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM)

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM) invites applications from suitably qualified, competent and motivated individuals for various academic, administrative, technical and support staff positions. The available opportunities span different areas of the University, including teaching and research, student affairs, human resource management, academic administration, library services, ICT, estates and facilities, sports, health, records and examinations, and security.

The positions include

4. UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN

i. Department/Directorate: University Library

ii. Number of Position: One (1)

iii. Reports to: Vice Chancellor

iv. Duty Station: USJM Mbarara City South Division, Uganda

v. Terms of Service: Contract subject to satisfactory and successful completion of six months probationary period

vi. Salary Scale: USJM-4.1

JOB PURPOSE

The University Librarian will provide strategic, professional and administrative leadership for the University Library and its information services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and managing library resources and services that support teaching, learning, research, innovation, community engagement and knowledge creation. The University Librarian will lead the transformation of the Library into a modern, accessible and technology-enabled academic information centre.

The Librarian will promote a culture of academic excellence, research, information literacy, lifelong learning, ethical scholarship and effective knowledge management in accordance with the mission and values of University of Saint Joseph Mbarara.

Responsibilities or duties

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide strategic leadership and professional direction to the University Library,
• Develop, implement and periodically review the University Library Strategic Plan, policies, regulations and operational procedures,
• Advise University Management on library, information, knowledge management and scholarly communication matters,
• Develop and maintain a balanced collection of print, electronic and digital information resources,
• Coordinate the acquisition, classification, cataloguing, preservation and dissemination of library materials,
• Develop and manage electronic resources, e-books, e-journals, online databases and institutional digital repositories,
• Promote effective use of digital library technologies and integrated library management systems,
• Ensure that library services adequately support the University's teaching, learning, research and community engagement programmes,
• Develop information literacy programmes to equip students and staff with effective research and information management skills,
• Provide research support services to academic staff, postgraduate students and researchers,
• Support students and researchers in accessing scholarly databases, academic literature and other credible information resources,
• Promote responsible use of information resources, academic integrity, copyright compliance and ethical scholarship,
• Support initiatives addressing plagiarism, research integrity, referencing and responsible use of information and emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence,
• Develop and manage the University's institutional repository and scholarly publications where applicable,
• Promote preservation, documentation and accessibility of institutional knowledge and archival materials,
• Coordinate library orientation and user education programmes for students and staff.
• Develop effective library services for students with disabilities and other users requiring specialised support,
• Ensure that library facilities provide a safe, accessible, conducive and technology-enabled environment for study and research,
• Prepare and manage the Library's annual work plans, budgets and resource requirements,
• Ensure efficient and accountable utilisation of library resources,
• Supervise, mentor and appraise library staff and identify their professional development needs,
• Develop partnerships and networks with other university libraries, research institutions, professional bodies and information service providers,
• Negotiate and manage subscriptions, licences and access to electronic information resources in accordance with University procedures,
• Participate in University committees, Senate, academic planning, quality assurance and institutional development activities as required,
• Support accreditation, quality assurance and regulatory processes relating to library and information services,
• Develop library statistics, performance indicators and user feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement,
• Prepare regular reports on library performance, resources, services and development for University Management and relevant committees,
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in library and information services.
• Keep abreast of emerging developments in librarianship, digital scholarship, open access, knowledge management and information technology,
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Vice Chancellor or other competent University authority.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should possess:

• A Master's degree in Library and Information Science, Information Science, Library Studies, or a closely related field from a recognised university,
• A Bachelor's degree in Library and Information Science, Information Science, Library Studies or a related discipline,
• At least five (3) years of relevant professional experience, preferably in a university, research institution or other higher education environment,
• Demonstrable experience in academic library management and leadership,
• Professional membership of a recognised library and information science association will be an added advantage,
• Demonstrable experience in managing electronic resources, digital libraries and library information systems will be an added advantage.
• PhD track in Library Information Science from a recognised university is an added advantage.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong strategic leadership and management skills,
• Excellent knowledge of modern academic librarianship,
• Strong ICT and digital library competencies,
• Knowledge of electronic databases, digital repositories and library management systems,
• Excellent research and information literacy skills,
• Strong communication, interpersonal and customer-service skills,
• Excellent budgeting, planning and resource-management abilities,
• Strong supervisory and staff-development skills,
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality,
• Knowledge of copyright, intellectual property, open access and scholarly communication,
• Ability to support researchers and postgraduate students,
• Ability to lead innovation and digital transformation in library services,
• Commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Experience needed

At least five (3) years of relevant professional experience, preferably in a university, research institution or other higher education environment.

Demonstrable experience in academic library management and leadership.

Demonstrable experience in managing electronic resources, digital libraries and library information systems will be an added advantage.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The University Librarian will be expected to demonstrate effective performance in:

• Strategic Library Leadership and Management,
• Library Collection Development,
• Electronic and Digital Library Services,
• Research and Scholarly Support,
• Information Literacy and User Education,
• Institutional Repository and Knowledge Management,
• Library ICT and Digital Transformation,
• Library Staff Management and Development,
• Budgeting and Resource Management,
• Academic Integrity and Research Support,
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance,
• Library User Satisfaction and Service Improvement,
• Partnerships and Professional Networking,
• Preservation and Management of Institutional Knowledge.

University of Saint Joseph Mbarara (USJM) is an equal-opportunity employer committed to excellence, integrity, holistic education, student wellbeing and service to society.

• Provide strategic leadership and professional direction to the University Library,
• Develop, implement and periodically review the University Library Strategic Plan, policies, regulations and operational procedures,
• Advise University Management on library, information, knowledge management and scholarly communication matters,
• Develop and maintain a balanced collection of print, electronic and digital information resources,
• Coordinate the acquisition, classification, cataloguing, preservation and dissemination of library materials,
• Develop and manage electronic resources, e-books, e-journals, online databases and institutional digital repositories,
• Promote effective use of digital library technologies and integrated library management systems,
• Ensure that library services adequately support the University's teaching, learning, research and community engagement programmes,
• Develop information literacy programmes to equip students and staff with effective research and information management skills,
• Provide research support services to academic staff, postgraduate students and researchers,
• Support students and researchers in accessing scholarly databases, academic literature and other credible information resources,
• Promote responsible use of information resources, academic integrity, copyright compliance and ethical scholarship,
• Support initiatives addressing plagiarism, research integrity, referencing and responsible use of information and emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence,
• Develop and manage the University's institutional repository and scholarly publications where applicable,
• Promote preservation, documentation and accessibility of institutional knowledge and archival materials,
• Coordinate library orientation and user education programmes for students and staff.
• Develop effective library services for students with disabilities and other users requiring specialised support,
• Ensure that library facilities provide a safe, accessible, conducive and technology-enabled environment for study and research,
• Prepare and manage the Library's annual work plans, budgets and resource requirements,
• Ensure efficient and accountable utilisation of library resources,
• Supervise, mentor and appraise library staff and identify their professional development needs,
• Develop partnerships and networks with other university libraries, research institutions, professional bodies and information service providers,
• Negotiate and manage subscriptions, licences and access to electronic information resources in accordance with University procedures,
• Participate in University committees, Senate, academic planning, quality assurance and institutional development activities as required,
• Support accreditation, quality assurance and regulatory processes relating to library and information services,
• Develop library statistics, performance indicators and user feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement,
• Prepare regular reports on library performance, resources, services and development for University Management and relevant committees,
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in library and information services.
• Keep abreast of emerging developments in librarianship, digital scholarship, open access, knowledge management and information technology,
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Vice Chancellor or other competent University authority.

• Strong strategic leadership and management skills,
• Excellent knowledge of modern academic librarianship,
• Strong ICT and digital library competencies,
• Knowledge of electronic databases, digital repositories and library management systems,
• Excellent research and information literacy skills,
• Strong communication, interpersonal and customer-service skills,
• Excellent budgeting, planning and resource-management abilities,
• Strong supervisory and staff-development skills,
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality,
• Knowledge of copyright, intellectual property, open access and scholarly communication,
• Ability to support researchers and postgraduate students,
• Ability to lead innovation and digital transformation in library services,
• Commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

• A Master's degree in Library and Information Science, Information Science, Library Studies, or a closely related field from a recognised university,
• A Bachelor's degree in Library and Information Science, Information Science, Library Studies or a related discipline,
• At least five (3) years of relevant professional experience, preferably in a university, research institution or other higher education environment,
• Demonstrable experience in academic library management and leadership,
• Professional membership of a recognised library and information science association will be an added advantage,
• Demonstrable experience in managing electronic resources, digital libraries and library information systems will be an added advantage.
• PhD track in Library Information Science from a recognised university is an added advantage.