Information Resources Center Assistant

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 9, 2016

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/036

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Information Resources Center Assistant in the Public Affairs Section. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

Provides research, outreach, and collection development of wide scope. Researches Information Resources Center's (IRC) electronic and traditional resources to respond to complex inquiries for information from the target audience, PAS staff, and mission staff. Develops and maintains contacts with target audience members. Contributes to the outreach program and assists with collection development.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

35%

Under the direct supervision of the IRC Director, responds to inquiries for in-depth information primarily from target audience as well as from Mission staff. Conducts necessary research and consults with the IRC Director if assistance is needed. Finds answers to inquiries by using U.S. government, legal and legislative documentation or other appropriate resources. Responds to written requests after completing research. If query is outside the scope of the IRC’s capability, makes referrals to Reference section at the PD IRC in Washington. Serves as Acting IRC Director at appropriate times.

30%

Provides articles to target audience members based on selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) profiles. Maintains contact with information professionals to keep abreast of Tanzania developments and advises them of IRC capability and services. Keeps abreast of emerging information technology, and new developments in reference services and information science. Assists IRC Director in outreach activities by contacting DRC members, distributing materials to DRS members, and preparing support material on assigned subject areas.

20%

Helps in internal administration and operations by explaining IRC services to patrons, keeping a log of reference services, preparing reports on IRC usage, and is responsible for presentation and preparation of paper shows, book exhibits and the donated book program.

15%

Selects or recommends selection of publications and CD ROMS for acquisition. Assist IRC Director in acquisitions work by keeping track of new arrivals, mailing lists of new arrivals to DRS members, and helping to prepare bibliographies.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. Education: 
   A University degree in library science or information science is required.
2. Experience: 
   Two to four years of progressively responsible experience in the field of information research is required.
3. Language:
   Level IV (Fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, writing and reading) is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities: 
   Excellent service orientation to target audience, interpersonal, and cross cultural skills. Ability to carry out reference searches and respond rapidly to complex requests, often for breaking news; to work effectively with American and foreign national staffs; to independently plan, organize, and carry out assigned responsibilities using electronic based technologies, including internet, CD-ROM, and print resources; to maintain contact with target audience members; excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to prioritize work schedule and incoming requests and Computer skills required.(This will be tested).
5. Job Knowledge: 
   Good knowledge of U.S. reference and resource materials in the subject areas emphasized in the Post’s Country Plan and Mission Program Plan and of current trends and developments in American and Tanzanian information science and technology. Knowledge of electronic retrieval and delivery tools, in particular the Internet and standard information science practices and procedures. Research inquiries require that the incumbent have an in depth knowledge of Tanzanian and U.S. foreign affairs policies, legislative and other domestic issues of relevance to Country Plan themes is required.

SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specially address the required applications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER: 
1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
2. USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3. FS on LWOP

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

HOW TO APPLY: applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE)(Form Ds-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human resources, (see “For Further Information” above); and
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, Resident/Work Permit.

IMPORTANT: Applicants claiming a U.S. Veteran’s preference must submit written documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., Member Copy 4 of Form DD-214, Letter from the Veteran’s Administration, or certification documenting eligibility under the VOW Act with an expected discharge no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted) by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veteran’s preference will not be considered in the application process. Specific criteria for receiving a U.S. Veteran’s preference may be found in HR/OE’s Family Member Employment Policy (FMEP).

WHERE TO APPLY: 

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam