Information Resource Center (IRC) Director Job at USA Embassy in Tanzania

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: July 27, 2016

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/137

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 9; (Step 1- TZS 35,614,437 through Step 13- 53,421,657 per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 5 (Steps 1 through 4)*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position. The “Open To” category should notbe confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) 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 IRC Director in the Public Affairs Section.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Directs and manages the Information Resource Center (IRC). Oversees the research, reference, cataloging and outreach services conducted by the IRC staff. Coordinates services and programs with American Corners. Plans and implements outreach programs to advance the Mission's goals. Develops and maintains continuing personal contact with the highest level target audience members.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

IRC Management:
25%

As head of the IRC, plans, develops and manages the IRC in accordance with Mission Strategic Plan objectives and priorities. Oversees all research and reference services and ensures that authoritative information about the U.S. is received by the target audiences. Devises strategies for cost-effective means of handling information inquiries and optimizing information services, using information and communications technology. Monitors developments in information and communications technology in the U.S. and Tanzania, evaluates their relevance to the IRC program and recommends cost-effective strategies for their use. Develops and implements a yearly strategic plan for the IRC. 

Provides immediate supervision to one staff member. Directs and coordinates the IRC team’s outreach, reference, programming and program support work. Prepares annual evaluation reports for IRC staff members. Assesses their professional development needs and requests training when appropriate. Organizes the recruitment of new personnel when required. Approves time and attendance and requests for leave. 

Ensures that Mission officers and staff are kept well-informed about the services provided by the IRC. Prepares IRC contributions to the Public Diplomacy budget submissions. Advises the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and Deputy Public Affairs Officer (DPAO) on strategies for managing resources to assure maximum cost-effectiveness and productivity. Reports on special IRC programs and problems; ensures that adequate IRC records and statistics are maintained for Post managers and State Department officers.

Oversees and coordinates American Corners: 
15%

As Embassy liaison, provides support to three American Corners (AC) in Mwanza, Unguja and Pemba. Support includes collection developments, drafting annual sustaining fund requests, collecting and disseminating widely monthly reports on American corner activities, reporting on AC needs, coordinating programming and visits to ACs, and scheduling and/or conducting training for AC staff. 

Keeps abreast of developments in Library and Information Science in the U.S. as well as developments in American political and cultural life in order to respond to public inquiries from IRC patrons (communication with the local media is not authorized unless expressly approved and cleared by the PAO.

Outreach/Public Programs:
25%

Promotes awareness of U.S. policies and positions in contemporary affairs through a variety of innovative outreach programs, including but not limited to afternoon movie programs and presentations at the IRC and American Corners by U.S. Speakers, Fulbright and exchange program alumni, and members of the U.S. Embassy. 

Oversees the design of proactive electronic dissemination of Information profiles for select, upper-level contacts, e.g. parliamentarians, government officials, academics, senior civil servants, other policy makers, the media and researchers. 

Consults with IRC staff and Mission officers and staff in developing these information dissemination profiles. Reviews information resources at regular intervals and oversees the distribution of information to recipients. Oversees electronic dissemination of targeted information alerts. 

Oversees the design of promotional materials to serve the IRC network and develops marketing strategies highlighting IRC products, programs and services. Monitors and assesses advances in information technologies in order to electronically transmit IRC products where feasible. 

Develops library and information science programs to showcase American information trends and products, including through the Bureau of International Information Programs' (IIP) thematic calendar. Works closely with other members of the Mission to enhance interagency programs. 

Advises web master concerning appropriate materials and links for inclusion in the Mission web site. Evaluates the web site on a routine basis to ensure accuracy of content and relevance to bilateral issues. Promotes and markets the web site to target audiences. 

Participates in professional organizations by attending conference and workshops as well as developing programs in conjunction with these organizations. Maintains close and regular ties with local and Department of State information specialists, especially the Regional Information Resources Officer based at Embassy Nairobi.

Research/Reference:
10% 
Responds to inquiries, provides in-depth reference service to Mission officers and staff, and host country contacts including parliamentarians academics, senior civil servants, librarians, media, researchers and other policy makers. Applies knowledge and understanding of U.S. and Tanzanian political, social and cultural affairs, as well as Mission Resource Requests (MRR) objectives, to provide informed interpretation of U.S. material. Provides guidance in the use of IPC materials for public users. 

Utilizes a wide range of print and electronic resources including, but not limited to, commercial online databases, the Internet, CD-ROMs and U.S. Government sources to provide documentation on issues supporting MSP objectives. Uses knowledge and understanding of U.S. legislation and legislative processes, political affairs and foreign policy to provide informed interpretation of U.S. material. Provides reference service to the broader public by responding to queries accurately and in a timely manner.

Collection Development: 
10%
Oversees and manages the entire annual collection development cycle to ensure that the IRC has the best and most appropriate resources, both print and electronic, for meeting the information needs of top-level contacts and Mission officers and staff, in support Mission Program plan objective and U.S. policy. Selects and procures materials for presentation to contacts. Identifies American Corner Collection needs and manages procurement of collections and supplies for American Corners. 

Prepares an annual IRC budget for approval by the Public Affairs Officer. Prioritizes purchases for all collections within this budget. Selects databases and materials, such as U.S. Govt. Printing Office publications, congressional and other USG documents, think tank reports, commercial publications and databases for the IRC collections. Prior to selection, assesses material for authority, relevance and balance as well as for contribution to MSP and public diplomacy goals. Regularly reviews and discusses the selection of materials with IRC staff to ensure that the best possible resources are purchased. 

Maintains a schedule for ordering annual reference materials to ensure that new editions are ordered as soon as they are published, so that the IRCs have access to the most current information. 

Keeps track of orders and works with GSO to ensure that all procurement requests are fulfilled. On receipt of print materials, unpacks the boxes, checking their content against the original order. Ensures that payment requests are submitted in a timely manner so that bills are paid with minimal delay. Catalogs and processes all materials, alerting key contacts to new acquisitions by means of email and the Mission web site.

Special Projects: 
15%
Undertakes special projects in the area of English Teaching, Book Discussions, and the Mission Speakers Bureau. With the Book Discussion program, must help identify books for discussion, choose participants, order books, and organize the discussions themselves. For the speakers Bureau, must solicit participation in the bureau from Embassy employees, publicize the bureau and organize speaking engagements; must gather appropriate background materials for the speaker to use in preparing his/her remarks. 

Solicits and nominates candidates, and may assist in selection of candidates from throughout the country. for exchange programs, including the International Visitor Leadership Program , E-Teacher program, and other exchange programs. 

In coordination with the Public Affairs Section's Alumni Coordinator, maintains accurate and current alumni records of all alumni of exchange programs participants in subject area and ensures alumni are included in outreach programs and other mission programming

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: 
   University degree in library/information science, liberal arts, management, political science, international affairs or American Studies required. If degree is not in librarianship, must have training in that area is required.
2. Experience: 
   Should have five years’ experience as a librarian or managing an information resource center and at least two years supervising other professionals. Must have experience in outreach techniques and electronic reference services 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 is required.
5. Job Knowledge: 
   Advanced knowledge of Tanzanian political, social, legal, economic and educational structures. Advanced knowledge of U.S. cultural issues and of the many aspects of U.S. society, education, politics, government, law, history and geography. Must have expert skills in the various aspects of library service: reference, outreach, cataloging, programming, management, etc. In particular, must be familiar with current trends in information management and provision 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

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process. Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees 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.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted viaDarRecruitment@state.gov

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

IMPORTANT: Applicants MUST submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form Ds-174), which is available on our website.
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, or Resident/Work Permit.

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age(below compulsory retirement age), disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A – DEFINITIONS

Eligible Family Member (EFM): An EFM for employment purposes is defined an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

1. U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
2. Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
3. Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term “child” shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchild, adopted child, and a child under legal guardianship of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such child is expected to be under legal guardianship until 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; or
4. Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
5. Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
6. Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
7. Is under chief of mission authority.

U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

1. U.S. Citizen; and
2. Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
3. Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
4. Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or
5. resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
6. Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.

Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and
• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
• Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
• Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
• Is under chief of mission authority; and
• Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.

Member of Household (MOH) : A MOH is an individual who meets all of the following criteria.

• A MOH is someone who accompanies or joins a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• A MOH must be officially declared to the COM by the sponsoring employee as part of his/her household; and
• A MOH is under COM authority;
• A MOH may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative, or adult child;
• A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen;
• A MOH is not an EFM;
• A MOH is not listed on the travel orders or approved Form F-126 of a sponsoring employee.

Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
• Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
• Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
• Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
• Is not a citizen of the host country; and
• Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
• is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.

Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• A citizen of the host country; or
• A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
• Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted