Job Opportunity: Chief Librarian

Are you passionate about academic excellence, resource management, and leading innovation in library services and management? Unicaf University Zambia is seeking a qualified and visionary Chief Librarian to spearhead its library operations and support teaching, learning, and research across the institution both off-line and online.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the library’s strategic plan to support academic goals.
• Lead the library team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the library in accreditation, quality assurance reviews, and HEA audits.
• Advocate for library services and resources to university leadership and external stakeholders including ZALICO.

2. Collection Development and Resource Management

• Oversee the acquisition, management, and evaluation of library collections to support diverse academic programs.
• Ensure a balance between print and digital resources, aligning with the needs of students and researchers.

3. Academic and Research Support

• Collaborate with faculty to integrate library resources into teaching and research.
• Develop and implement information literacy programs to support students and faculty in using library resources effectively.
• Provide research assistance, including access to digital databases and research tools.
• Facilitate advanced research support, including tailored consultations and workshops.

4. Operations and Compliance

• Ensure the library operates in compliance with HEA standards and accreditation requirements.
• Plan, recruit, and develop library staff to maintain high standards of service delivery.
• Oversee library operations, including e-library systems, physical facilities, and user services.
• Manage library opening hours to maximize accessibility.

5. Community and Campus Engagement

• Establish partnerships with external libraries and research institutions for resource sharing.
• Promote library services through outreach and communication initiatives.
• Represent the library at university and national-level forums.

Qualifications and Skills

• Full Grade 12 school certificate or its equivalent
• Bachelor’s Degree in Library and Information Science
• Masters in Library and Information Studies or any other relevant field from a reputable university.
• A PhD in either will be an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in a university, academic, research, or comparable library/information services environment, of which at least two (2) years should be at a managerial or senior supervisory level.
• Should be a member of relevant professional Association

Competencies

• Strong IT skills and familiarity with the use of databases and the internet
• Team working and management skills
• Assessment of resources and library users’ needs
• Presentation and verbal communication skills
• High level of planning and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Passionate to conduct research
• Should be able to work under minimum supervision and able to multitask

Why Join Unicaf University Zambia?

• Be a pivotal part of an institution committed to academic success.
• Collaborate with a vibrant team of educators, researchers, and professionals.
• Opportunity to shape the future of academic resource management.

• Develop and implement the library’s strategic plan to support academic goals.
• Lead the library team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the library in accreditation, quality assurance reviews, and HEA audits.
• Advocate for library services and resources to university leadership and external stakeholders including ZALICO.
• Oversee the acquisition, management, and evaluation of library collections to support diverse academic programs.
• Ensure a balance between print and digital resources, aligning with the needs of students and researchers.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate library resources into teaching and research.
• Develop and implement information literacy programs to support students and faculty in using library resources effectively.
• Provide research assistance, including access to digital databases and research tools.
• Facilitate advanced research support, including tailored consultations and workshops.
• Ensure the library operates in compliance with HEA standards and accreditation requirements.
• Plan, recruit, and develop library staff to maintain high standards of service delivery.
• Oversee library operations, including e-library systems, physical facilities, and user services.
• Manage library opening hours to maximize accessibility.
• Establish partnerships with external libraries and research institutions for resource sharing.
• Promote library services through outreach and communication initiatives.
• Represent the library at university and national-level forums.

• Strong IT skills and familiarity with the use of databases and the internet
• Team working and management skills
• Assessment of resources and library users’ needs
• Presentation and verbal communication skills
• High level of planning and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Passionate to conduct research
• Should be able to work under minimum supervision and able to multitask

• Full Grade 12 school certificate or its equivalent
• Bachelor’s Degree in Library and Information Science
• Masters in Library and Information Studies or any other relevant field from a reputable university.
• A PhD in either will be an added advantage.
• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in a university, academic, research, or comparable library/information services environment, of which at least two (2) years should be at a managerial or senior supervisory level.
• Should be a member of relevant professional Association