Job Advertisement

Position Title: Information Management Specialist
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: 2 January 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote social justice and fair labor practices. Established in 1919, the ILO has a mission to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. The organization operates in over 180 countries and has a diverse workforce committed to improving labor standards globally. The ILO emphasizes diversity and welcomes applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity.

Job Overview:
The Information Management Specialist position is situated within the Information Management Service (IMS) of the ILO's Department of Information and Technology (INFOTEC). The IMS is responsible for managing a vast collection of documents, legislation, statistics, and other materials related to labor and social issues. This role is crucial in providing information to ILO staff and facilitating access to knowledge for ILO constituents, researchers, practitioners, and the general public. The incumbent will manage activities related to metadata and information management, including updating the ILO's taxonomy and thesaurus. The position requires collaboration with ILO officials in field offices to disseminate knowledge and research outputs effectively. The specialist will also be responsible for evaluating, creating, and implementing workflows for loading metadata for various digital and print resources, ensuring compliance with established cataloging and indexing standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specific duties of the Information Management Specialist include:

• Evaluating, creating, and implementing workflows for loading metadata for e-books, streaming resources, and other digital and print objects into the Alma Library services platform.
• Cataloging original or complex derived materials and indexing various materials in multiple languages and formats, adhering to MARC format and ILO cataloging policies.
• Supporting metadata strategies related to digital initiatives and projects, contributing to workflow assessments, and proposing Sustainable solutions for resource description and exploration.
• Participating in batch loading projects for cataloging, developing normalization rules, and creating training materials for cataloging staff.
• Analyzing and manipulating metadata using tools like MarcEdit and Excel to improve metadata quality and consistency.
• Updating controlled vocabularies used within the ILO, such as the ILO Taxonomy, to optimize content classification and exploration.
• Monitoring digitization processes and daily activities.
• Staying informed about cataloging and metadata standards and best practices.
• Performing other relevant tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a higher university degree or a first-level university degree followed by recognized professional training in library science, Information Science, or a related field. Candidates must have three years of professional experience in library work or information network Administration, with essential experience in cataloging and indexing using the Exlibris (Alma) library management system. Familiarity with MARC21 format and Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR) is advantageous. Candidates should possess excellent analytical skills to assess user needs and provide appropriate support, as well as effective communication skills, both oral and written.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a higher university degree or a first-level university degree followed by recognized professional training in library science, information science, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of information management and the specific requirements of the role.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in library work or information network administration. Experience in cataloging and indexing using the Exlibris (Alma) library management system is essential, along with familiarity with MARC21 format and AACR. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of metadata management and the ability to work in a contemporary library environment.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of one of the ILO's official languages (English, Spanish, or French) and practical knowledge of one of the other two languages. This linguistic proficiency is crucial for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is initially for a period of twenty-four months, with the external candidate undergoing a probationary period for the first two years of their assignment. Any extension of the contract beyond the probationary period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance. The ILO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and abuse, ensuring that candidates undergo background checks to prevent the recruitment of individuals with a history of such behaviors. All candidates must complete an online application form, and the recruitment process may include written assessments and interviews conducted via various communication technologies.