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Head Librarian

Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom

Head Librarian

ACU Ref: 58866
Closing Date: 4 November 2011


Salary Range: £35,000-£40,000 per annum

The Aga Khan University’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in London is looking for a Head Librarian to provide state of the art library and information services and resources to faculty and students in support of the Institute’s teaching and research agenda.

Responsibilities
The following are the main responsibilities of the position. It is not an exhaustive list but is intended to outline the areas of work the incumbent will be expected to undertake:

• Plan and further develop policies and strategies to build a distinctive and coherent collection of books and digital resources in line with the Institute’s requirements
• Ensure delivery of high quality, effective, customer-focused library services
• Provide required training and oversight to all aspects of library functions including cataloguing, acquisition, maintenance and use of technology
• Oversee the development and delivery of comprehensive information literacy programmes for faculty and students
• Collaborate with relevant staff, as directed, for the provision of information resources within existing and future digital initiatives and education technology solutions of the Institute
• Take responsibility for overall administration and financial management of the library;
• Represent the Institute at the international library organisations and forums such as IFLA, ACRL, MELA and MELCOM

Requirements and Qualifications
• A Chartered librarian educated with a degree or postgraduate qualification in Librarianship or Information Science from an institution affiliated with an IFLA accredited library association
• Academic knowledge of Islam and Muslim civilisations
• Extensive knowledge in and experience of print and electronic information resources about Muslim cultures and societies/Islamic studies
• Self-motivated with solid knowledge and experience of library operations; including but not limited to, acquisitions management, bibliographical research, cataloguing and classification, digitalised integrated databases, library management and cataloguing systems
• Experience in the development and delivery of information literacy programmes
• Experience and knowledge of international bibliographical standards (Marc, Dublin core and other metadata standards)
• Experience of providing library and information services within a managerial capacity in an higher education context
• Experience of managing, coordinating and motivating a team and identifying targets, applying performance management and quality assurance techniques
• Ability to develop and implement library strategies and policies, manage projects and budgets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with the capacity to liaise and negotiate with staff at all levels
• Strong team work and partnership skills
• Demonstrated abilities to work under pressure, prioritise and delegate tasks and contribute to achievement of departmental goals
• A flexible approach to working in a complex and busy environment
• Fluent reading knowledge of one or more of the following languages; Arabic, Turkish, Persian, or Urdu
• UK/EU citizen or appropriate permission to work in the UK

To apply:
Candidates should send their curriculum vitae with a completed application form in MS Word to ismc.personnel@aku.edu.

Application form can be downloaded from the Institute’s website (www.aku.edu/ismc). Please click on the Working at AKU tab and then the current vacancies in the UK.

Application Deadline: Friday, 4 November 2011

Note:
By submitting an application to AKU-ISMC you provide your consent to the Institute under the Data Protection Act 1998 to share the contents of your application with relevant colleagues at our headquarters, AKU Karachi, and with its nominated agents for the purpose of completing this recruitment exercise.

AKU-ISMC will only contact candidates short-listed for interview. If you would like to have your application materials returned, please enclose an appropriately stamped, self-addressed envelope.