Chief Officer Acquisition Librarian (post level 8) Library and Information Services (Job ID 6423)

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To ensure your application is complete you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements as well as the following standard documentation:
A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
Copies of your qualifications or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications please include SAQA accreditation).
A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter appointment contract service certificate or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Participate in the creation and regular review of the librarys collection development policy.
Apply adaptive strategies using assessment data to make strategic adjustments to collection development policies and practices.
Manage the selection procurement and processing of print electronic and multimedia library assets.
Continually assess the strengths and weaknesses of the librarys collection to pinpoint areas in need of - Implementing plans for digital collections long-term preservation to guarantee continuous access.
Ensure that the collection upholds ethical standards in the selection and acquisition of content and represents a wide spectrum of opinions.
Contribute to the selection and acquisition of resources ensuring alignment with the universitys academic priorities and the diverse needs of its users.
Evaluate select and acquire materials (books journals databases multimedia resources etc.) that support the academic and research needs of the university.
Modify collection assessment procedures to stay up with users rapidly evolving information needs and technological advancements.
Prepare for the future by providing information for optimal decisions on resource allocation digital transformation and collection growth proactively.
Monitor the spending patterns based on the budget allocated.
Analyse spending patterns and making recommendations for financial efficiency.
Adapt to changing financial circumstances such as currency fluctuations.
Navigate budgetary restrictions and difficult resource distribution decisions to ensure good practice standards.
Prioritize other access models such as and demand-driven acquisitions and patron driven acquisitions and give priority to purchases that will benefit the university community the most.
Ensure the budget cycle is forecasted by taking into account variables such as user input on existing collections projected expansions of academic programs and rates of inflation for scholarly resources.
Analyse past purchasing patterns evaluating the pricing trends of different kinds of goods (books multimedia) and spotting possible new purchases.
Ensure that the budget is aligned with the academic goals of the university and the particular resource needs of various departments.
Participate in dividing the budget among several categories (such as journals electronic resources databases and special collections) and take the need into account for adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances such as sales of essential resources or new demands in research; bargain with publishers and vendors to get the best terms on purchases and licensing agreements.
Monitor spending in relation to the budget in order to make any required modifications and make sure that spending stays on course
Generate reports on the state of the budget spending and how the librarys acquisitions have impacted the funding of educational and research endeavours.
Conduct selection of materials to the collection based on user needs financial constraints and the librarys collection development policy.
Collaborate with faculty librarians academics and students to ensure that the collection responds to the needs of the university community.
Apply the DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions to electronic resources in line with publisher and vendor agreements.
Ensure correct authentication processes are applied for the resources to be accessed by the end users.
Ensure that high quality acquisition standards are maintained at all times to ensure effective and efficient workflows.
Ensure that the UFS LIS implements technologies that will ensure that the rise in digital formats open resources are accessible to the university community.
Mitigate problems associated with the digital divide and making certain that every user has equitable access to both physical and digital resources.
Ensure that the collection advances the academic and research goals of the university or other establishment.
Evaluate the collections return on investment while taking impact and usage into account.
Collect and evaluating information on the frequency of material access or checkout.
Examine the checkout and renewal information to find patterns trends and unused items that should be weeded.
Follow accessibility guidelines to guarantee that both digital and physical collections are usable by people with disabilities as well as by everyone else.
Conduct collection development benchmarks to find areas that need improvement compare against industry norms or peer in the sector.
Report and present the evaluation assessment results to relevant parties to highlight the importance of the librarys collection.
Maintain continuous communication with suppliers to learn about new products terms and any problems.
Forge deeper relations for insightful information about the operations of vendors and future goods and services.
Maintain goals and restrictions collect usage data user feedback and budget information prior to engaging in discussions with vendors.
Fully grasp goals and restrictions collect usage data user feedback and budget information prior to engaging in discussions with vendors.
Proactively strive for agreements that foster long-term partnerships and mutual benefits.
Provide a helpful critique to supplier to prepare them to modify their offerings in order to make them better.
Ensure full compliance with service level standards for quality service by the vendor.

Inherent Job Requirements:

Bachelors degree on NQF Level 7 in Library and Information Studies OR any bachelors degree Advanced Diploma/B. Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 PLUS a Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies on NQF Level 8.
A minimum of three (3) years relevant working experience in acquisitions within Library and Information Services.

Recommendations:

Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8 in Library and Information Studies.
Experience within the higher education environment
Knowledge of university systems policies procedures
Member of a or registration at a professional body (eg. LIASA)(attach a copy).

Key Competencies:

Results Orientated:
- The ability to be reliable responsible dependable and to fulfil obligations.
- The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic Thinking:
- The ability to focus on details work towards perfection and approach work in a neat and organised manner.
- The ability to carefully analyse information and use logic to address issues and problems at work.

Business Acumen:
- The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
- Proficient in using MS Office.
- Library management system (Alma Acquisitions module).
- Knowledge of the online ordering system (RIALTO).

Leading:
- The ability to lead take charge of situations and offer opinions and directions to others.
- The ability to be cooperative with others display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.

Building Coalitions:
- The ability to negotiate sell influence and to persuade others.
- The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:
As soon as possible.

Closing date:
24 April 2026

Salary:
The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:
(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme medical aid scheme group life insurance housing allowance leave and sick leave service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:
For enquiries please feel free to contact or email . Additionally kindly contact / 2558 / 2876 for assistance.

General:
The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence diversity and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.