Vacancies
SENIOR MANAGER: LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES (LIS) - THREE YEAR CONTRACT POSITION - Closing date for applications: 16:00 on 21 June 2024
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The South African Library for the Blind is a Schedule 3A Public Entity, an agency of the National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and is governed by the provisions of the South African Library for the Blind Act, 91 of 1998.
Located in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape, the South African Library for the Blind (SALB) provides a national library and information service to blind and print-disabled readers in South Africa. It is a national institution with an international reputation.
SALB invites applications from suitably qualified South African citizens for the undermentioned three-year contract position to commence on 1 September 2024 or earlier.
SENIOR MANAGER: LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES (LIS)
THREE YEAR CONTRACT POSITION
POST OVERVIEW:
1. The focus of the LIS Department within the SALB is on development of member registration
strategy, growth, and development; liaison and outreach; collection development; cataloguing &
classification; user orientation training and development and maintenance and management of
library systems.
2. This position provides strategic leadership, adherence to library trends and oversight in terms of
Library and Information services within the SA Library for the Blind and its stakeholders.
3. Other focus areas include project management through reviewing of the main and mini library
services; financial management (including grant management); policy development and
management; staff management; client/user relations management; library marketing
management; LIS procurement management; LIS office infrastructure management;
departmental administration; training and development of staff (main office and project staff)
and or library members and users, etc.
4. Although the Snr Manager: LIS is a Senior Management position, a lot of hands-on involvement
in operational work is required of the incumbent especially on Collection review for relevance,
tracking of collection usage statistics, service quality and employment of user surveys to assess
impact and relevance of the LIS role.
5. The post incumbent is also responsible for spearheading information literacy programme,
promotion of reading to the blind and visually impaired.
Minimum Requirements:
• A post graduate degree or higher-level qualification in library and information sciences.
• At least 10 years working experience in a Library, preferably with exposure to serving the
needs of the differently abled user population, of which 5 years should be at a management
level.
• Strong management and strategic leadership capabilities and experience with a proven track
record of managing user services.
• The addition of a formal qualification in Project Management coupled with 3 or more years
proven project management experience will be a distinct advantage.
Duties inter alia include management and leading a team of dynamic librarians and support staff, compiling and upholding policies, cataloguing, classification and maintenance of the Library System and contract management including the management of Service Level Agreements. National and International travel as well as ad hoc public speaking on behalf of the library as and when needed. Your supportive focus areas will include financial management, marketing, procurement, office infrastructure, departmental administration, planning, research, and quality assurance. You must also be a paid-up member of LIASA and be in possession of a valid driver’s license.
Other Skills and attributes:
• Excellent exposure and knowledge on technological advancements in libraries. Free and
open educational library resources, library user centric online and fee applications including
but not limited to advanced cataloguing sources with metadata creation, integrated Library
Management Systems and computerised applications in a library and knowledge
management environment.
• Strong working knowledge of acts and prescripts governing and directing library information
services, including DORA, intellectual property, and copyright acts, etc.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, coupled with good report writing,
presentation and public speaking skills.
• A willingness and ability to travel independently, as and when required (Nationally and
Internationally).
• A paid-up member of LIASA and/or related organisation.
• Proven fund-raising experience.
• Intermediate or higher-level experience in the Ms Office Suite, particularly MS Office,
PowerPoint, and Excel.
• The ability to budget and monitor expenditure in relation to budgets.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Library services applicable to blind and visually
impaired persons will be advantageous.
• A highly motivated, detail oriented and deadline driven individual who is well organised
with willingness to work with people with disabilities and able to prioritize workload.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good working knowledge of the PFMA, Treasury Regulations, SCM and related Acts and
prescripts will be an advantage.
All-inclusive Remuneration Package: R896 304 per annum
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements that would like to apply for the positions should submit a Letter of application together with a Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of qualifications of his/her SA ID on email or per mail/courier to: Ms Glynis Bentley at Sheldon Recruitment at email address [email protected] Contact number 043 735 1773.
Closing date for applications: 16:00 on 21 June 2024
PLEASE NOTE:
• Applications from suitably qualified candidates from designated groups, particularly persons
with disabilities and woman are encouraged.
• Short-listed candidates may be required to undergo competency testing.
• SALB reserves the right not to appoint any person to this position.
• Original certificates and/or testimonials may be requested from shortlisted candidates for verification purposes before confirming an appointment.
• Certification of documentation in support of this application may not be older than 6 months.
• The successful applicants must be willing and able to travel frequently across South Africa to fulfil the duties required for these positions.