Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Methodology, Education and Training Section (METS).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority the Librarian oversees and manages the daily operations and overall functioning of the OHCHR Library and will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists library users in conducting research and locating knowledge resources on a range of human rights issues. • Coordinates and provides timely responses to inquiries concerning human rights knowledge and information sources and materials; Performs in-depth, strategic research, and synthesizes, analyses, and provides curated responses to Library users, filtering information and knowledge resources on human rights topics of interest, using most current and pertinent information, documentation and knowledge sources (online and other sources). • Manages Library assets; Catalogue, classifies, circulates, and maintains library materials; Organizes Library resources so that they are easy to locate (on site and online, as appropriate); Ensures proper cataloguing of and access to OHCHR explicit knowledge assets; Manages archival processing activities by overseeing adherence to preservation, international bibliographic, description and database standards; produces descriptive inventories; prepares mark up of descriptive inventories for electronic dissemination; and makes recommendations regarding the planning and prioritization of preservation and description programme requirements; Catalogue abstracts and/or indexes materials, especially serials (print and electronic format) that require in-depth treatment of subject matter or documents of a politically sensitive nature; Evaluates adequacy of existing reference and record management tools, such as databases, and proposes appropriate solutions as relevant; Identifies and implements new technologies in information and knowledge management to ensure that new tools developed for efficient access to information and knowledge are accessible to staff throughout the Office and compatible with other Office-wide platforms and resources to ensure inter-operability amongst platforms; Understands, keeps current with and applies preservation techniques and strategies for records in all media. • Curates and expands Library assets; Selects topics and material for the development of new OHCHR Library collections and knowledge repositories and maintains and expands existing ones; coordinates requests for materials and ensures their accordance with collection development policies; Selects and acquires new assets, responding to knowledge interest trends and needs of Library clients; Applies a user-centric approach to prioritize and implement Library initiatives, including development of new collections, research guides, knowledge repositories, and other, as well as acquisition of new knowledge assets; Conducts periodic user satisfaction and needs surveys and takes action to improve Library services accordingly; Integrates and balances user and institutional needs, applying extensive experience with the management of commercial sources of information. • Nurtures networks and partnerships; Maintains communication with networks in the relevant fields and with associations of library, knowledge management and information specialists; Initiates, promotes and nurtures partnerships in relevant fields. Promotes the OHCHR Library in such Networks. • Outreach and awareness of Library services and assets; Coordinates and creates programmes and initiatives that increase library outreach and awareness of Library services and promote Library resources internally and externally; Conducts programs of outreach and user education to improve client use of desktop information resources; uses judgment of relevant institutional needs to develop presentations appropriate to client audience; Develops promotional materials to facilitate outreach; Pro-actively proposes Library resources and collections to OHCHR staff using a variety of means; Leads the production, design and maintenance of library web pages and multimedia content, as well as to OHCHR intranet based knowledge management resources and repositories; • Contributes to OHCHR knowledge management: Facilitates OHCHR staff and Library users’ access to thematic knowledge assets, resources and repositories on topics of pertinence to OHCHR’s work, promoting linkages between tacit and explicit knowledge internally and externally; Produces digests, compilations, reviews and other products and initiatives to disseminate library and knowledge management resources and products (e.g., reading lists; book reviews; research guides; suggested resources on certain topics; compilation of proposed readings on specific topics, etc.); Supports the maintenance and functioning of the OHCHR Knowledge Hub; Contributes to OHCHR internal and external knowledge management efforts; Sets up and/or works with databases, information and knowledge management systems to catalogue and access knowledge and information; Promotes and nurtures a knowledge management and knowledge sharing culture. Other duties: • Guides, trains and supervises general service staff, UN Volunteers and interns, as relevant. • Ensures that OHCHR storage facilities meet environmental standards. • Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. CLIENT ORIENTATION. Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view ; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect ; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions ; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems ; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects ; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. PLANNING& ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in library science, information science or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
At least five years of progressively responsible relevant experience in library work, information network administration, knowledge management or related area, in the area of human rights, is required. Professional experience in delivery of information and reference services or conduct of library operations is required. Experience with an integrated library management system is required. Experience with the creation of multimedia content, including video and audio editing, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2024, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION – SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. • However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. • A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4 Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. • If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.