Librarian: Research Support at University of the Western Cape/Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland

• The primary role of the Librarian: Research Support is to conduct institutional and faculty postgraduate and researcher training programmes and collaborate with other units i.e. Research Development and Postgraduate Support by initiating and coordinating a variety of professional research support activities including online learning programmes. To manage the research commons facility and research resources in the library as well as coordinate virtual reference services.

The successful incumbent will be responsible for: 

• Develop learning material and facilitate library workshops and webinars at institutional level 
• Conduct literature reviews and support the Executive with their research needs
• Manage the Research Commons and supervise staff and student assistants
• Deploy and assess research software packages
• Coordinate and supervise virtual reference services
• Develop and participate in researcher programmes to support early career researchers 
• Assess and build a collection that meets the University’s research needs.
• Assist with activities related to library research support including open science
• Liaise and engage with internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum requirements (Qualification and Experience) 

• A degree in Library & Information Sciences at NQF level 8 or equivalent qualification
• 5 years’ relevant library work experience preferably in an academic or research setting
• Proven experience in conducting group workshops in physical and online environments

Required competencies (skills, knowledge and behavioural attributes) include: 

• Knowledge of online reference services using Libchat or similar platforms
• Knowledge of virtual learning environments i.e. Sakai; Moodle etc.
• Knowledge of reference management tools and other software packages
• Supervision and coordination skills 
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently within a team environment
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good presentation and report writing skills
• Current Liasa membership