Vacancy Statement: Professional Support Officer

Location: IFLA Headquarters—The Hague, Netherlands
Position Type: 36 hours per week / initial 1-year contract, with possible extension
Specialism: Library and information services practice; committee and administrative support
Salary: Approx. € 38,500 p.a. (excluding benefits), based on experience and qualifications
Closing date: 3 June 2011
________________________________________

Job Purpose

IFLA, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, is the international organisation for library and information associations, institutions and librarians in the user communities they serve throughout the world. IFLA is a membership organisation. Currently the IFLA membership comprises around 1600 libraries, associations and individual librarians from more than 150 countries worldwide. Support for the organisation is provided by IFLA Headquarters, a small coordinating office (14 staff), housed in the National Library of The Netherlands in The Hague.

IFLA has a large network of more than 50 international professional units – Sections, Special Interest Groups, Core Activities – which provides the library community world with guidelines, policies, standards, networking opportunities, and international activities in the form of conferences, workshops and seminars. The activities of the professional units are overseen by the Professional Committee which is a sub-committee of the Governing Board. See more detailed information on the professional units.

IFLA Headquarters is seeking a Professional Support Officer (36 hrs p/week) to support and coordinate the activities of the Professional Committee and the IFLA professional units. In this job you will work in close cooperation with IFLA’s Communications and Services Director, the IFLA Headquarters communication team and the membership team.

For this position you need to have a number of years experience in the (inter)national library world, working at a professional level. Experience with a professional association would be desirable. You will have experience with coordinating activities and project management in the (inter)national library world. You know how to support governance committees, you are experienced in organisational reporting needs, and you have experience with working in a web environment (including CMSs). You are a strong communicator and a networker. You are flexible, accurate and you are used to multitasking. You will have good written and oral communication skills, the ability to target style to different audiences and an excellent knowledge of English, orally and in writing. A good knowledge of at least one of the other of IFLA’s working languages is advantageous.

If you are interested in adding your expertise to IFLA, please have a look at the more detailed job description below.

How to Apply

  • Applicants must already have eligibility status to work in the European Union in order to meet Dutch employment requirements.
  • Applications should be in English, and respond specifically to the selection criteria in the job description. Please attach a detailed curriculum vitae, and the names of two referees.
  • The closing date for applications is 03 June 2011. Interviews of selected candidates will be held in the week commencing 13 June 2011. IFLA may choose to conduct interviews by telephone. IFLA reserves the right not to make an appointment in this application round. The successful candidate will be expected to assume duty in The Hague in July 2011.

For further details, please contact:
Ingeborg Verheul
Director, Communications and Services
Email: ingeborg.verheul@ifla.org

Please submit your application to:
Magda Bouwens
P.O.Box 95312
2509 CH The Hague, Netherlands
E-mail: magda.bouwens@ifla.org


 

Job Description

Job Title: Professional Support Officer
Position level: IFLA Officer Level 1/2
Reports to: Director, Communications and Services
Location: IFLA Headquarters—The Hague, Netherlands
Date: 13 May 2011
________________________________________

Job Purpose

Under general direction, undertake a range of activities which have a major impact on IFLA’s professional support services for members, professional units and Professional Committee (PC), to achieve results in accordance with IFLA’s business and strategic goals. This includes the application of professional knowledge to IFLA’s professional activities in a wide range of library and information areas of practice and topical issues; and the development, review, modification and implementation of policies and procedures. The position reports to IFLA’s Communications and Services Director, and works closely with the Chair of the IFLA Professional Committee to support the activities of the PC. The position may require international travel.

Key Areas of Responsibility

  • manage and support the work of the Professional Committee and its role within the Governing Board and IFLA, including preparing the agenda, papers and minutes for the PC meetings;
  • liaise with Sections and Special Interest Groups on all governance and professional matters, including co-ordination of professional unit participation in IFLA’s strategic planning activities
  • work with the Conference Officer to coordinate activities related to the Professional Programme of the IFLA Annual Congress and its related meetings;
  • work with the Communications team on professional content aspects of IFLA’s publishing programme; provide support to professional unit web/information co-ordinators to assist with their training and web publishing skills development;
  • administer the Honours and Awards programme;
  • manage and administer the PC projects programme so that it meets budgetary and project outcomes goals, and is linked into IFLA’s strategic planning;
  • liaise with regional and language offices on professional issues;
  • provide advice and support to the IFLA Governing Board and its committees and advisory boards, and the IFLA Secretary General, as required.

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the library and information services sector and experience in at least one area of practice for a number of years; awareness of the current state and future direction of library and information services worldwide;
  • Good understanding of the role of professional associations and governance requirements, and the role of IFLA in international and national context;
  • Proven administrative skills, including committee support and management of business, applying policy and guidelines, undertaking consultative processes;
  • Proven experience in coordination of project based activities and/or project management;
  • Good oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate fluently in English. A good knowledge of at least one of the additional official languages of IFLA (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Spanish) would be advantageous;
  • Demonstrated good writing skills for diverse audiences and purposes – such as meeting papers and minutes, briefing papers, drafting policies and guidelines, web content  – and the ability to do this under pressure and on short notice;
  • Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and productively within a small team at Headquarters, and with professional units across IFLA;
  • Proven IT and e-communication skills and a strong knowledge of the use of social media technology within a work environment;
  • Commitment to participative management practices, workplace diversity and to working effectively in a team environment;
  • Graduate qualifications in library/information science and/or other relevant discipline, together with relevant employment experience.

Last update: 9 March 2012