Associate documentalist, L-2

Background:

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human and economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations. In adopting ISDR, the United Nations General Assembly (Res/54/219) endorsed the establishment of an institutional framework for its implementation consisting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction (IATF/DR) and the inter-agency secretariat (ISDR secretariat).

The main functions of the secretariat are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR.

The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction in the coming years and it constitutes an unprecedented conceptual shift that takes account of the complexity of action in disaster risk reduction and the large variety of actors whose inputs are required in the pursuit of this objective. It provides the basic concepts and prescribes and expected outcome; details three strategic goals for disaster risk reduction and a set of five priority areas for action; and assigns tasks to stakeholders at difference operational levels to reach the expected outcome.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:

The position is located in the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland under the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Senior Programme Officer for the Information Management Unit.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist in identifying sources of information, publications, documents, multimedia on disaster risk reduction and related subjects.
2. Classification and cataloguing of all types of documents in the online Voyager catalogue of the Library, using MARC21 international codes and UN/ISDR terminology; and participate in the harmonisation of the Library database with the virtual environment within the Prevention Web.
3. Assist in developing an acquisition strategy for the Library and the development of partnership.
4. Manage the development of metadata and full text information on the ISDR virtual library.
5. Identify key information and assist in the framing or analysis of this information on the web.
6. Guide users in the library in information search, including use of the voyager database.
7. Assist in content development of ISDR Library website and posting of information to the site.
8. Assist in conducting bibliographic research and prepare short summaries to be used for printed and electronic products of the ISDR, and assist in preparing information analysis.
9. Perform any other related tasks assigned by the ISDR Secretariat.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff at all levels, within UN/ISDR and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts. Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies; member state personnel with responsibility for disaster risk reduction; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results Expected:

Provide library cataloguing support to the ISDR library and PreventionWeb projects. Conduct specialized searches for library material in an efficient and timely manner, and assist in the dissemination and inventory of ISDR publications. Effective and timely interaction with colleagues and user groups, and application of ISDR metadata standards in an efficient and consistent manner.

COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Good background and experience in information management and cataloguing. Domain knowledge in the areas of disaster risk reduction, development or humanitarian assistance is essential. Exposure to knowledge management systems and familiarity with knowledge networking concept is an added advantage. Demonstrate analytical skills.
Teamwork: Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Communications: Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear concise way.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of information technology.
Planning and Organizing: Ability to plan own work; manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
Technology Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software, particularly as relates to Internet publishing and document management databases.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree in information, library science or related subjects, or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.

Experience: At two years of progressively responsible professional experience in library work or information network administration. Experience in disaster reduction, humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation or development, human rights, information management, journalism or other related area may be considered. Exposure to electronic information management systems is an advantage.

Language: Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of additional official UN languages a plus.

Other Skills: Knowledge of automated information systems as applied to libraries and/or information networks.