Under the general supervision of the Head of Acquisitions, serves as Library Acquisitions Specialist, Area Specialist and Selection Officer for the Library of Congress, implementing approval plans for both LOC General Collections and LOC Law Library. Identifies, selects, and procures material from assigned Sub-Saharan African countries to support research institutions and libraries of the United States and other parts of the world. Follows and implements Library of Congress standards and policies and manages profiles supplied by approximately 30 academic institutional participants in the African Cooperative Acquisitions Program. Directly supervises one full-time Library Technician and approximately six Bibliographic Representatives in assigned countries.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE: Five years’ work experience as an acquisitions librarian at an academic or large public library.
JOB KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of acquisition principles for library materials in all formats, including monographs and serials. Good working knowledge of book trade in Sub-Saharan Africa, including a deep understanding of the political, legal, economic as well as social environment of the 30 countries in the region (including host country) and how these factors affect the acquisitions of information materials; Knowledge of MARC cataloging format. Knowledge of search engines, searching strategies and database management systems. Basic knowledge of accounting required. Education Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Library or Information Science is required.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE: Level 4 English (Fluent, speaking, reading, writing) (This may be tested); Level 3 Kiswahili (Good Working Knowledge, speaking, reading, writing) is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Strong oral and written communication, as well as good customer care skills are required to develop and maintain effective, sustainable working relationships with national and international sources. Strong negotiation skills required to negotiate contracts and prices with contractors and vendors. Job holder must have strong organizational skills to operate independently, including in a high-stress, high demanding environment with limited or no direct supervision of day-to-day activities and to lead a results-driven program. Computer software skills that include working with Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel and Outlook are required. Keyboarding skills that require both speed and accuracy are required for manipulating and reporting acquisitions and financial data. Ability to manipulate large amount of data is required to maintain the acquisitions and financial databases. Ability to participate in professional growth and development to enhance skills and knowledge base, especially those related to acquisitions management. Ability to deal with intermediate to high level representatives of U.S., regional, international and local government and private organizations, NGOs, mission and the host government.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.Other Information:
For the current COVID-19 Requirements please visit the following link.
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button. For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.Required Documents:
To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.
All Applicants:
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Bachelor’s degree in library or information science
• Curriculum-vitae (CV)
Eligible Family Member Applicants:
• Copy of Sponsor’s Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)Next Steps:
Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Nairobi, Kenya.