- Published on
NATIONAL LIBRARY SOUTH AFRICA (NLSA) - RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SPECIALIST
NATIONAL LIBRARY SOUTH AFRICA (NLSA)
The National Library of South Africa wishes to make the following appointment at its Pretoria Campus:
Research and Innovation Specialist
(Three Year Contract)
Reference Number: 01/08/2021
Salary scale: R 644 148.00 - R 752 021.00 Total Cost-of-Company
The objectives of the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) are to contribute to socio-economic, cultural, educational, scientific and innovative development by collecting, recording, preserving and making available the national documentary heritage and promoting an awareness and appreciation thereof, by fostering information literacy, and by facilitating access to the world’s information resources.
The NLSA invites applications from suitably qualified persons for appointment on a fixed term contract basis, as Research and Innovation Specialist. The successful individual will be based at the Pretoria Campus but will work across both the Pretoria and Cape Town Campuses. The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director: Core Programmes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AREAS:
• Establish a functional Research and Innovation Unit at the NLSA
• Set up systems and processes to support Research and Innovation
• Design and implement a Research Mentorship Programme to provide research support to the NLSA staff and staff in Provincial Library Services, in order to encourage the production of research outputs
• Establish research partnerships with like-minded organisations nationally, continentally, and globally
• Manage the production of the DHET accredited Bulletin of the NLSA and extend its reach and impact
• Facilitate collaboration between the NLSA and the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) on research matters and hosting of the annual LIASA Conference
• Monitor research trends in LIS and advise the Executive Management with regards to alignment of the NLSA’s research agenda accordingly
• Facilitate reporting by the LIS sector and Provincial Library Services on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency (DPME)
• Harness innovative ideas and apply them to improve efficiencies in the service offerings of the NLSA, Provincial Library Services and the LIS sector (e.g. Library apps and robotics)
• Provide strategic leadership and management in respect of performance and service delivery in the Research and Innovation Unit’s functional areas
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AREAS:
• Establish a functional Research and Innovation Unit at the NLSA
• Set up systems and processes to support Research and Innovation
• Design and implement a Research Mentorship Programme to provide research support to the NLSA staff and staff in Provincial Library Services, in order to encourage the production of research outputs
• Establish research partnerships with like-minded organisations nationally, continentally, and globally
• Manage the production of the DHET accredited Bulletin of the NLSA and extend its reach and impact
• Facilitate collaboration between the NLSA and the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) on research matters and hosting of the annual LIASA Conference
• Monitor research trends in LIS and advise the Executive Management with regards to alignment of the NLSA’s research agenda accordingly
• Facilitate reporting by the LIS sector and Provincial Library Services on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency (DPME)
• Harness innovative ideas and apply them to improve efficiencies in the service offerings of the NLSA, Provincial Library Services and the LIS sector (e.g. Library apps and robotics)
• Provide strategic leadership and management in respect of performance and service delivery in the Research and Innovation Unit’s functional areas
MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences (LIS) or equivalent qualification.
• A PhD in Library and Information Sciences will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the Library and Information Services sector
• A good publishing track-record, preferably in accredited journals or conference proceedings
• Ability to transfer research skills to fellow LIS professionals
• In-depth knowledge of research methods and paradigms
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills
The NLSA is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and reserves the right to not make an appointment. Appointments will be made according to our Employment Equity requirements. We encourage applications from people living with disabilities in particular.
Applications: Interested applicants must submit a completed prescribed application form obtainable from our website on www.nlsa.ac.za accompanied by a covering letter; Curriculum Vitae; Matric/Grade12 certificate; certified copies of qualifications, not older than six months; and a copy of Identity Document by e-mail to: recruitment@nlsa.ac.za.
A SAQA evaluation report must accompany foreign qualifications. Please ensure that you quote the reference number and the position in the subject line of your email.
No applications from recruitment agencies will be accepted.
CLOSING DATE: 24 September 2021
Should you not receive any correspondence / communication from the National Library of South Africa one month after the closing date, please consider your application as being unsuccessful.