North West University | View - Director: Open Scholarship N000292

Director: Open Scholarship N000292

Listing reference: nwu_002064

Listing status: Closed

Apply by: 6 October 2023

Position summary

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: Directors and Chief Executives

Location: Mafikeng - Capital City

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

About our company

NWU

Introduction

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (MAHIKENG CAMPUS) DIVISION: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT: LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE POSITION NUMBER: N000292 VACANCY: DIRECTOR : OPEN SCHOLARSHIP PEROMNES GRADE: P5 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To lead and direct institutional library’s open scholarship services in particular Open Access and Open data, Data literacy, Research metrics, as well as Research infrastructure, for success model delivery in all NWU Campuses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Development

Provide input in the development of the institutional library and information services strategy.
Joint development and implementation of NWU’s Open (Science) Access policy and guidelines and facilitate unitary implementation and optimization of open scholarship services across campuses.
Provide leadership to managers, research librarians, specialists and staff in the division to ensure legal and compliant open scholarship services.
Team composition, effectiveness and efficiency.
Sub-unit team composition, effectiveness and efficiency - joint accountability.
Stakeholder relationship development and effectiveness across all NWU campuses.
Corporate governance conformance, reporting and risk management.
Budgeting, cost management and cost-effectiveness.
Sub-unit processes and systems design, utilisation, effectiveness and efficiency.
Personal effectiveness, wholeness and development.
Values-based behaviour leadership and personal compliance

Research Services

Develop and ensure the implementation of open scholarship strategy across all library user groups.
Ensure that the library fully supports the institution’s research and innovation strategy and its intensification priorities.
Provide leadership in designing, delivering and promoting targeted research support services.
Develop and review Research Data Management (RDM) guidelines, Open Access strategies, and Institutional –level analytics of citation metrics.
Identify, lead and develop knowledge and expertise in the area of research impact and analytics, scholarly communication, and publishing, RDM, and OA publishing.
Advocacy for the expansion and use of the Institutional Research and Data Repositories and related Open Educational Resource platforms. Contribute to the stewardship of NWU’s intellectual assets.
Research (support) capability building of the LIS staff and /or foster librarian research and scholarship.
Initiate the development of a research-support marketing plan to be executed by Research, and Faculty Librarians.
Ensure that researchers gain maximum benefit from the library’s resources and information services.
Promote the use of bibliographic management software.
Conduct Research on current library trends.
Benchmark research services nationally and internationally and incorporate into the design, policies and practices.
Direct efficient and effective research services to graduate students, Academic and Research staff aligned with user needs.
Support and contribute to e-Research through e- Resources, research output management, and communication.
Participate and contribute to Open Access initiatives of the University.
Oversee the development of standardised research training materials to increase library use and efficiency.
Lead and direct the development of a data literacy programme and its integration into relevant academic programmes.
Lead and direct policy development to optimise access services in respect of research services.
Ensure compliance with Copyright laws.

Data and Advanced Information Literacy

Develop and ensure the implementation of an open scholarship support strategy across all library user groups.
Advance e-research initiatives and foster the practice of embedding data and information literacy into the curriculum.
Analyse user data and information training needs.
Research, benchmark and set standards and guidelines for open scholarship services.
Manage / Develop and design a variety of instructional data and information programmes for Library Instruction.
Advise on training and programmes to improve data and knowledge resources use and user experiences.
Lead and co-ordinate research related Instruction Services across Campuses.
Ensure information and data literacy standards are upheld.
Monitor service levels across campuses in collaboration with other LIS Directors.
Promote student success and retention through collaboration with researchers across campuses.
Establish and enforce innovative and effective user feedback processes and techniques to adapt resources to suit user needs.
Evaluates data Instruction programmes.

Collection Development and Management

Contribute to the development of guidelines on graduate programmes accreditation and develop reports for relevant faculty subject areas.
Contribute to collection development and management policies.
Develop a strategy for the development and optimisation of NWU’s unique collections across campuses, and the management of such special collections.

Library positioning and Advocacy

Lead Open scholarship events such as the Open access week, research weeks in collaboration with relevant players.
Constitute and chair the LIS open scholarship committee.
Promote library visibility internally across Campuses and externally.
Identify promotional opportunities for the LIS in and outside the university.
Develop service level agreements as necessary.
Establish and enforce innovative and effective user feedback processes and techniques to adapt research resources to suit user needs.
Monitor Research Information Access service levels on Campus and across campuses.
Develop and maintain proactive library and information services contact with relevant faculty structures.
Community engagement and advocacy by researching, developing and supporting continuing education programs and workshops in provincial, school and community libraries.
Formal liaison between the LIS and the various relevant research offices.

Campus Library and Service Operations

Plan and select priorities according to library’s strategic plan.
Guide, direct and support (as joint responsibility) campus section managers towards fulfilment of library vision, mission and goals.
Execute requests and instructions from line managers.
Accept responsibility for the building, staff and users, therefore participate in the Health and Safety activities on campus.
Attend relevant campus and institutional committee meetings.
Introduce and implement innovative and new technologies and services pro-actively as joint responsibility with fellow LIS Directors.
Maintain costs within the budget according to financial policies.
Contribute to the recruitment, retention, leading and motivation of library staff.
Adhere to NWU’s performance development and appraisal processes.
Ensure that NWU code of ethics are followed (staff conduct, leave management and absenteeism, etc.).
Actively develop and maintain internal and external relations on campus – library staff, deans, directors, support and academic staff.
Maintain honest and open communication channels with stakeholders.
Initiate and maintain a well-established network of peers outside the university.
Maintain highest service standards possible.
Participate in NWU self-evaluation ventures, peer- evaluation sessions.
Ensure that documentation in terms of policies, reports, minutes, etc. is kept up to date according to NWU record keeping standards.

Minimum requirements

A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Library and/or Information Science.
Professional membership with Library and Information Association of SA.
A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience at a management level as a specialist in a higher educational academic library.

KEY FUNCTIONAL / TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

A vision for research services and the skills to stand for and articulate that vision.
Understanding of academic and scholarly process Fundamental knowledge of ICTs and e-services Understanding of the full cycle of knowledge resources Knowledge of Higher Education landscape.
Knowledge and understanding of all the library services and the service Philosophy. Knowledge of the University management and organizational structure.
Knowledge and understanding of financial systems and procedures.
Knowledge of Benchmarking and Quality Controls.
In-depth knowledge of Human Resources policies and procedures.
Knowledge of project management.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

Excellent interpersonal skills.
Planning and organisational skills.
Decision making and problem-solving skills.
Analytical thinking skills Ethical and trustworthy Conflict resolution skills Change management skills Presentation skills.
Mentoring and coaching skills.

REMUNERATION

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Dr. M Moyo, Tel No: 018 299 2784

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Ms. Hawa Joosub, Tel No: 018 289 9015

CLOSING DATE: 06 October 2023

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.