Library Assistant

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally from the Primary Location area, which is where the office is located.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Main Purpose

The Library Assistant performs a variety of routine library functions, to support the operational and administrative activities of the FAO Library. He/she contributes to the knowledge-capturing and -sharing needs of the Organization and to the smooth running of the work unit.
The post is located in the Publications and Library Branch, OCCP of the Office of Communications (OCC) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Library Assistant reports to one or more professional staff and receives guidance from the Senior Communications Officer of the Publications and Library Branch, OCCP.
He/she acts independently in routine matters in line with established policies and procedures. Supervision received is focused on the quality of the work performed and provides for on-the-job learning.

Working Relationships

The Library Assistant interacts with staff at all levels within the work unit and with other relevant units and offices within the Organization, providing routine information on the use of Library information resources.

Key Functions/Results

• Process incoming serials and periodicals, checking-in items using the Publishing Workflow System (PWS) and the FAO Knowledge Repository, labelling and shelving items as appropriate. Claim late issues, withdraw and discard materials according to retention schedule and procedures.
• Communicate with vendors (subscription agents, publishers, book vendors, shipping agents, etc.), making inquiries, requesting quotes, placing orders, and filing claims. Respond to staff queries about serials and book orders.
• Assist in cataloguing operations in the library ILS (Integrated Library System) KOHA, in particular, reviews and descriptive cataloguing for journals, series and monographs purchased by the library or received as gifts/exchanges, adapting online records when possible, using international bibliographic description standards including MARC21, AARC2, LCSH, UNBIS, UDC. Ensure all information is accurately displayed for users in the library catalogue.
• Review, record and process requests for the library networks, in particular to identify appropriate materials that meet the information needs of the Organization in the Exchange and Depository Libraries Programs, to update current agreements and facilitate proper collaboration with the exchange and/or donations of publications. Update the AGLINET network, updating members information and assisting with interlibrary requests.
• Perform helpdesk service to FAO staff and external researchers, including bibliographic research, library accounts creation in KOHA, computer and printer troubleshooting in the study area.
• Perform library tasks related to shelving library materials, scanning, document delivery, interlibrary loan and circulation when needed.
• Provide assistance for collection maintenance, evaluating materials in need of repair. Assist in conducting paper and binding repairs. Review labels and records for processed materials. Participate in the management of the library stacks.
• Liaise with the Logistics Services (CSL) regarding the library space for damaged, missing or broken furniture and move of library assets for specific events.
• Perform other duties as required.

Impact Of Work

The incumbent’s work impacts on the timely and efficient delivery of Library services and on the overall output of the work unit.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Education: Secondary School Education.
Experience: Three years of relevant experience in library work, documentation, archives, information network administration or related field.
Language: Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English.
IT Skills: Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.
Residency: General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application. “Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of library and information management resources.
• Very good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
• Familiarity with international library standards of cataloguing.
• Knowledge of library systems and open procedures.

Desirable Qualifications And Skills

• Experience in the United Nations Common System.
• Experience of Integrated Library Management Systems.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO,

Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

• The length of the appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to extension of appointments

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. To be eligible for this position, candidates must be nationals of the country of the duty station or possess an existing visa/work permit, and reside within commuting distance of the duty station at the time of the application.”Commuting distance” means the distance within which staff members can travel daily between their place of work and their residence.
• No international benefits will be payable as selected candidates are recruited locally and paid in the local currency of the office location
• For additional information visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link:
http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. Once completed, please apply and submit your application, with language certificates as attachments. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. FAO reserves the right to request candidates to undertake a language test in the future, as appropriate
• Incomplete applications will not be considered

• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the recruitment portal will be considered

• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT