Information Specialist

Direct Reporting Line:
Head Academic

Emeris consolidates resources and expertise from IIE Varsity College, IIE MSA, IIE-Vega School, and IIE School of Hospitality & Service Management, with a unified approach ensuring a consistent standard of excellence in teaching, learning, and student support.

Emeris, Newlands has a vacancy for an Information Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management of the Information Centre (Information Centre Administration)

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Information Centre in an academic environment.
• Manage the routine operations of the inter-Information Centre loans and requests service.
• Manage and control facility, computer usage and ensure effective administration of periodicals.
• Liaises with departments within The IIE's Varsity College to ensure efficient support, i.e. assignment capacity.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with academic staff and students, as well as external bodies such as suppliers.
• Prepares reports related to Information Centre and information services.
• Develops and maintains a hybrid information collection.
• Edits, classifies, index information sources and distributes new materials for cataloguing to the Information Centre Manager.
• Supervises the assistant staff and student assistants.
• Assists with the provision of information services in a digital environment.
• Assists with managing all auxiliary services such as copying, reproduction and digitization.
• Manages and controls good conduct in learning spaces.
• Monitors the performance of all functions of Information Centre systems.
• Liaises with the Capacity Management and Timetabling Centre to ensure that lecturers have all the academic material they require for presenting lectures including sourcing teaching resources from publishers.
• Ensures that The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) Policies and Procedures are adhered to.
• Provides feedback to the Information Centre Manager and Head: Academic on all Information Centre related issues.
  

Provisions of Information Service & User Information

• Conducts class visits and live interactive training sessions for students and lecturers.
• Facilitating and supporting learning by teaching information literacy skills to students and staff, within classrooms or virtual learning environments.
• Assists students with Academic writing, referencing and search skills.
• Trains students and lecturers on how to use the Information Centre databases to enable them to do research and access the information required, e.g. Ebscohost, Juta Law and HeinOnline.
• Conducts presentations during Student Information sessions / Digital Literacy Classes and Lecturer Information briefings.
• Provides guidance to students on academic writing and referencing styles.
• Support academic staff with literature searches using research databases, printed resources and the internet.
• Addresses user enquiries.
• Keep up to date with new developments, innovations in the Information Centre sector and participate in professional groups and Professional Learning Networks.

Research Output & Academic Support

• Measuring research impact and develop best practices for use and dissemination of information.
• Postgraduate research support to students by educating and providing academic support.
• Research support to academic staff.
• Assist students to find academic reseach material and provide support on research related queries.
• Play an active role in research by performing own research and produce research output and activities.
  

Information Centre Resource Marketing

• Designs posters and Information Centre packs to market Information Centre resources on the campus.
• Arranges monthly displays according to the calendar set out by the Information Centre Manager and the Student Relations Manager, so as to align themes.
• Innovative marketing and promotion of Information Centre resources.
• Market, promote and co-ordinate awareness campaigns pertinent to the Information Centre.

General Administration

• Maintains records for payment of invoices.
• Monitor the performance of all functions of Information Centre automated Information Centre systems.
• Updates new books on the Sirsi Dynix to ensure accurate record keeping.
• Collection development, maintenance and management of Information Centre resources.
• Recruit and train student assistants.
• Conduct bi-annual stocktaking project and compile a report.

Competencies / Skills required:

• Administrative
• Document Management
• Interpersonal and Communication skills
• Database Administration
• Information Monitoring

Minimum Qualification Requirement:

• Bachelors Degree (NQF Level 7) in Library and Information Science or B.Bibl Degree.
• Postgraduate or Honours qualification in Library and Information Studies will be advantageous
• Professional registration with Library Information Association of SA (LIASA)

Minimum Work Experience Requirement:

• 3 years – Library experience in an Academic Library
  

Additional:

• Must be willing to work shifts:
• The core business working hours are Monday to Friday: 08h00 – 17h00.
• The Information Centre’s operating hours are as follows:
• Monday to Thursday: 07h00- 19h00
• Friday: 07h00- 17h00
• Saturday: 08h00 - 13h00
• Shifts will be structured according to the Information Centre Staff Working Hours

Salary:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Lifelong learning opportunities through LinkedIn Learning subscriptions.
• Staff and family discounts on educational programs within our brand portfolio.
• Incentive bonus structure based on performance and achievement of goals.
• Birthday vouchers to celebrate your special day.
• Competitive annual leave allowance for well-deserved time off and rejuvenation.

Application Response:

• Due to the high volume of CVs received, please note that personal contact with all applicants may not be feasible. Only candidates whose qualifications and skills closely align with the position requirements will be contacted for interviews

Technical Support:

• Should you experience technical difficulties applying for the position, kindly use the following URL for further assistance : https://hire.simplify.hr/ContactUs

Emeris is an Equal Opportunity Employer. However, preference may be given to previously underrepresented groups in accordance with the South African Employment Equity Act. The company reserves the right to close or place the vacancy on hold at any time, without prior notice.