Information Specialist (Humanities, Theology, NAS & EBIT) - Department of Library Sevices at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

JOB PURPOSE:

• The main purpose of this position is to provide research, teaching and learning support services and information resource management to stakeholders within the university. The position will provide innovative, dynamic and collaborative library services to the university stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Research support services: 

• Advising clients on the research process;
• Managing research queries at intermediate level of complexity;
• Providing research advice throughout the entire research life cycle to all clients;
• Finding relevant information that is not readily available, using knowledge of one’s own collection and what is available globally;
• Advising clients on publishing routes and mechanisms of visibility;
• Advising and guiding on research impact metrics and tools;

Teaching and Learning support services:

• Providing instruction and training in the use of information resources for a specific discipline or subject area;
• Developing and presenting curriculum-based information literacy training;
• Advising on relevant issues in the information environment that have an impact on learning, teaching and research;
• Contributing content to the University’s Learning Management System;
• Collaborating with academic staff to support Teaching and Learning;
• Developing information literacy tutorial, using appropriate technologies and keeping them updated;

Client relations management:

• Liaising and communicating with staff in assigned departments;
• Building relations of trust with clients;
• Collaborating with staff on all levels of the organization to support the delivery of Library services;

Information resources management:

• Identifying material to assist with collection building according to the department’s needs, and the need for a balanced, comprehensive collection;
• Evaluating, selecting and filtering sources for collection building, using knowledge of the subject and the content and format of information resources;
• Managing the information resources budget on behalf of the department(s);
• Ensuring electronic reserved collection items are identified and made accessible;

Marketing:

• Marketing library products and services to the clients using relevant media for optimum reach;
• Participating in marketing initiatives of the library, such as orientations, exhibitions, promotional events and other outreach activities;
• Contributing to the marketing plan of the team;

Professional development:

• Improving subject and professional knowledge and skills continuously;
• Translating and implementing Library strategies in own work environment;
• Contributing to the advancement of the LIS profession;

Project management:

• Participating in projects, both individual and collaborative in scope, identifying ways to improve, extend, and integrate the Library’s services.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A four-year degree in Library and Information Science (e.g., B.Bibl), or a Bachelor of Information Science Honours (B.Inf Hons); WITH
Three years’ experience in:

• An academic library as an Information Specialist;
• Relevant major(s) or experience in the subject field;

OR

A three-year degree, (e.g., BA, etc) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science/Studies (PGDip LIS); WITH
Four years’ experience in:

• An academic library as an Information Specialist;
• Relevant major(s) or experience in the subject field.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Knowledge:

• Information sources in various formats;
• Building information retrieval strategies;
• The research process and methodology;
• Information organisation methods/packages/tools;
• Relevant information technology (software and hardware);
• Marketing methods/procedures;
• Benchmarking methods;
• Administration systems, policies and processes;
• Legal requirements with regard to information distribution and information media;
• Training and evaluation methods;
• Work processes – library environment and industry;

Technical:
Skilled in:

• Research interviewing;
• Searching;
• Information analysing, evaluating and organising;
• Information management;
• Knowledge management;
• Collection management;
• Marketing;
• Training;
• Information Resource Management;
• Behavioural competencies:
• Interpersonal skills;
• Negotiating skills;
• Emotional intelligence;
• Communication skills across cultural borders;
• Conflict management skills;
• Organisational skills;
• Presentation skills;
• Self-control and personal drive;
• Creativity and innovation;
• Adaptability;
• Responsible;
• Client focused.

CLOSING DATE:  26 June 2026