Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Global Communications (DGC), Outreach Division, in the Dag Hammarskjold Library. The Dag Hammarskjold Library’s primary function is to enable the delegations, the Secretariat and other official groups of the Organization to obtain with the greatest possible speed, convenience and economy, the information and documentation needed in the execution of their duties. The Library Assistant reports directly to a senior Librarian or the Unit Chief of the Content Curation Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Library Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic, and may not be performed by all Library Assistants.)

• Performs basic library circulation functions, including retrieval, check-out, discharge and recalls of materials.

• Registers unit’s incoming and outgoing records in its record keeping system.

• Conducts basic research preparatory to updating selected resources.

• Performs collection maintenance according to the library’s classification systems and specialized collection arrangements.

• Supports more senior library staff in the maintenance and development of electronic and other reference tools, and the compilation of bibliographies.

• Assist in ensuring completeness of UN print and electronic documents collection.

• Assists in accessioning, disposition, description, and database updating activities as they relate to individual collections.

• Provides technical support and instruction to library patrons using electronic resources and reference tools.

• Performs initial actions in order to acquire updated materials.

• Satisfies requirements for the procurement, payment and inspection of goods and services using IMIS applications.

• Performs digitization functions, including scanning, creating digital objects and postings to designated repositories.

• Participates in production, design and maintenance of library web pages.

• Drafts routine responses to enquires for approval of section and/or unit chief.

• Provides document delivery services as required.

• Provides administrative support for the unit and section chiefs and undertakes other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of library operations, ability to undertake relevant research, maintain records in a systematic fashion and retrieve necessary materials with maximum speed and accuracy. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

• PLANNING AND 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.

• 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 ongoing 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away from Headquarters.

 

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in library work, archives, information network administration or related field is required

Experience working with the setup of online journal subscriptions and databases, or website maintenance is required.

Experience in procurement, purchasing and processing payments for your organization is required.

Advanced Level Excel experience is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to
international recruitment.

Apply online here