Library/Research Assistant

UNOPS ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Library/Research Assistant  based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).


Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply.   These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

UNOPS and the ECA have partnered together to deliver on a project that will put in place the critical business systems and services to enable the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) to go beyond its current regular operations and effectively deliver on its Business Plan mandate of becoming Africa’s premier think tank. Five specific outcomes are foreseen, which are the results of the implementation plans of four corporate strategies introduced for communications, publications, knowledge management and ICT for Development. When attained, the outcomes will result in a sustainable increase in the visibility and impact of the organization’s work in the areas of policy research and knowledge delivery. This recruitment initiative is carried out by UNOPS in support of ECA’s Information Ans Communication Technology Support Section (ICTSS) strategic intent.  It is with this objective that UNOPS advertises these opportunities in partnership with ECA. This recruitment initiative is carried out by UNOPS in support of PCKMD for the PCMS.  It is with this objective that UNOPS advertises these opportunities in partnership with UNECA.

This position is located in the Knowledge Management Services Section / Public Information and Knowledge Management Division of the Economic Commission for Africa.  The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of Knowledge Management Services Section and to the Director of the Division in general.

• Assists in the review of sources to identify appropriate materials that meet the information needs of the Organisation and its information clientele.

• Assists in cataloguing operations, in particular, reviews and completes descriptive cataloguing and content analysis and adapts online records according to guidelines in all subject areas using international bibliographic description standards including MARC21, AARC2, LCSH, UNBIS, UDC, etc.

• Undertake relevant research and performs searches on a wide range of full-text databases and e-journal collections to locate specific information resources requested.

• Assists in development and maintenance of relevant databases, keeping data accurate and current, and preparing new material as needed.

• Initiates claims and obtains updated materials, in connection with research requests by library patrons.

• Provides statistical data for assessing usefulness and relevance of posted materials.

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

• Assists in the marketing of the Library’s information resources through the development of promotional materials, Library digests,  social media and other outreach materials as well as liaison services;

• Assists in the development of Knowledge Management products and services using new emerging Information Management technologies such as Libguides etc.

• Assist in the development of new content for inclusion in appropriate KLSS related web pages

• Provides technical support for library digitization operations.

• Assists in management of library accounts.

• Co-ordinates work and/or participates in training of junior support staff.

• Undertakes other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A BSc degree in Library Science, Information Sciences or related field is an advantage.

 Work Experience

• A minimum of six (6) years of experience in library work, information management, archives and information network administration or related field is required.

 Languages

• Fluency in written, spoken and reading English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN Official language is an asset.