Director- Information and Learning Services at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To lead and direct institutional library and information access services in particular Loan and Information Services for success model delivery.

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Development and LIS Positioning:

• Provide input in the development of the institutional library and information services strategy
• Develop policy and processes to facilitate unitary implementation and optimise information access services across campuses
• Provide leadership to managers, specialists and staff in the division to ensure legal and compliant support services.
• Team composition, effectiveness and efficiency
• Sub-unit team composition, effectiveness and efficiency - joint accountability 
• Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness
• Corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management
• Budgeting, cost management and cost-effectiveness
• Sub-unit processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency
• Staff development
• Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development
• Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance

Loan Services:

• Research, benchmark and set standards and guidelines for Loan services
• Monitor compliance and service levels across campuses
• Establish and enforce innovative and effective user feedback processes and techniques to adapt services to suit user needs
• Advise on training and programs to improve library and information services use and user experiences
• Optimise loan and Interlibrary Loan Service.
• Develop and optimise procedures and processes pertinent to the effective and efficient operations and service in the Reservation and Study collections.
• Promote student success and retention through collaboration with Campus program developers.
• Promote DALRO compliance

Information Literacy Training:

• Develop and ensure the implementation of a teaching and learning support strategy across all library user groups
• Ensure that the library fully supports the institution’s teaching and learning strategy.
• Advance e-learning initiatives and foster the practice of embedding information literacy into the curriculum.
• Analyse user information training needs.
• Research, benchmark and set standards and guidelines for information services
• Manage / Develop and design a variety of instructional programs for Library Instruction
• Advise on training and programs to improve library and information services use and user experiences
• Lead and co-ordinate Instruction Services across Campuses
• Monitor service levels across campuses
• Promote student success and retention through collaboration with campus program developers
• Establish and enforce innovative an effective user feedback processes and techniques to adapt resources to suit user needs
• Evaluates Instruction programs.

Collection Development and Management:

• Develop guidelines on EPE and IPE reports for accreditation of faculty subject areas
• Contribute to the development of collection development and management policies

Outreach and Advocacy:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a Marketing and Communication strategy.
• Promote library visibility internally and externally.
• Identify marketing opportunities for the LIS in and outside the university.
• Develop service level agreements as necessary.
• Establish and enforce innovative and effective user feedback processes and techniques to adapt resources to suit user needs.
• Monitor Information Access service levels on Campus and across campuses
• Develop and maintain proactive library and information services contact with relevant faculty structures.
• Community engagement and advocacy by developing and supporting continuing education programs and workshops in provincial, school and community libraries

Financial Management:

• Plan, organise, control, monitor and evaluate the financial resources of the division, in accordance with the NWU policies and guidelines

People management:

• Create an enabling leadership culture by developing a shared direction, shared values and alignment and commitment to transform the organisational culture; Foster a participative and developmental leadership style; improve team cohesion, synergy and effectiveness
• Develop and Implement a Strategic Workforce Plan that builds proportions of African and People with disabilities.
• Develop and implement culture improvement measures.
• Plan and prioritize work in accordance with the NWU LIS strategy.
• Guide, direct and support campus section managers towards fulfilment of library vision, mission and goals.
• Execute requests and instructions from line managers.
• Responsible for the building infrastructure, staff and users.
• Participate in the Health and Safety (OHS) activities at a campus level.
• Attend relevant campus and institutional committee meetings.
• Introduce and implement innovative and new technologies and services pro-actively as joint responsibility with the Director responsible for Information Systems.
• Contribute to the recruitment, retention, leading and motivation of library staff
• Adhere to NWU’s performance development and appraisal processes
• Ensure that NWU code of ethics are followed (staff conduct, Leave management and absenteeism, etc.).
• Develop and maintain healthy working relations with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain honest and open communication channels with stakeholders.
• Initiate and maintain a well-established network of peers outside the university.
• Participate on a national level with library related organisations.
• Maintain highest service standards possible.
• Conduct regular user surveys.
• Participate in NWU self-evaluation ventures, peer-evaluation sessions.
• Ensure that documentation in terms of policies, reports, minutes, etc. is kept up to date according to NWU record keeping standard

Minimum requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in Library and / or Information Science
• Membership with the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 7 – 8 years’ experience at a management level in an academic library.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Fundamental knowledge of ICTs and e-services.
• Knowledge of Higher Education landscape.
• Knowledge and understanding of all the library services and the service Philosophy.
• Knowledge of the University management and organizational structure
• Knowledge and understanding of financial systems and procedures
• Knowledge of Benchmarking and Quality Controls
• In-depth knowledge of Human Resources policies and procedures
• Knowledge of project management

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• Decision making and problem-solving skills
• Analytical thinking skills
• Ethical and trustworthy
• Conflict resolution skills
• Change management skills
• Presentation skills
• Mentoring and coaching skills