Your Commitment

Reporting to the Vice President, Academics, the successful candidate will lead, manage, and develop professional customer-focused robust library services to ensure that the needs and objectives of UDST are met through the efficient and effective delivery of library services.

Why UDST?

Join UDST to be part of a forward-thinking institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and education. We offer a vibrant academic environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a significant impact on students' educational experiences.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in formulating UDST’s strategic direction by actively contributing to the development and implementation of the business plan for the Library Services Directorate. This will involve ensuring alignment with UDST’s overall strategy through a variety of innovative initiatives and projects.

The successful candidate will spearhead the strategic positioning of the Library, Learning Commons, and Archives to foster active engagement and maximize the utilization of library resources by faculty, staff and students. This leadership role is pivotal in promoting the library as a vibrant, essential hub for learning and research within the University community.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Program Development and Accreditation Department and the Colleges to develop a comprehensive curriculum, deliver high-quality information, and promote digital literacy and skills development programs. Additionally, the candidate will engage in program accreditation processes, working with relevant stakeholders to align and optimize library resources to meet accreditation standards. Furthermore, the candidate will contribute to drive applied research by strategically expanding access to information resources, fostering academic collaboration, and optimizing scholarly communication functions to boost the University's research output and impact. S/he will also contribute valuable insights to the Academic Council on integrating information resources, skills, and academic support components into the curriculum.

Leading and guiding Library Services employees, the candidate will ensure they stay current with standards and regulations for information management, cataloguing, metadata, copyright, licensing, privacy, and access. This leadership will foster a culture of continuous improvement and compliance within the library, ensuring that the library remains a dynamic and forward-thinking resource for the University community.  

The successful candidate will monitor and integrate contemporary developments in academic librarianship and information management, including emerging technologies, scholarly communication, privacy, access to information, and automation. This integration will position the library as a forward-thinking and innovative hub of knowledge and resources. The successful incumbent will also lead the management and upkeep of UDST’s institutional history through the effective management of records, semi-active records, and archives in both physical and electronic formats. By safeguarding historical documentation and valuable institutional knowledge, the s/he will act as a strong advocate for Library Services within the University and externally, promoting and elevating the impact of Library Services in enhancing the educational experience of UDST students.

The successful candidate will oversee the negotiations for pricing and licenses for information resources to ensure effective use of library services budget through strategic collaboration with the Procurement and Contract Directorate. S/he will also develop and monitor the annual budget of Library Services in conjunction with the Vice President, Academics ensuring prudent financial management in alignment with University’s academic priorities and long-term vision.

The successful candidate will lead and navigate risks associated with information and records management, assets and facilities, privacy, copyright, student services, and collection through strategic planning and mitigation strategies to minimize interruptions and ensure seamless service provision. S/he will oversee the assessments of Library Services, including statistics, surveys and focus groups and report to the Executive Management to ensure access to accurate and timely information for decision-making.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping policy development initiatives for Library Services and will lead their implementation, ensuring that library operations, services, and policies align with UDST’s mission and vision. S/he will also monitor the performance of Library Services against established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on a regular basis, ensuring that the library’s contributions are in sync with the University’s strategic objectives and future advancements.

The successful candidate will perform people management duties for the employees of the Library Services Directorate, in collaboration with the Human Capital Directorate. These duties include but are not limited to recruitment, workforce planning and performance reviews.

Skills

Qualifications

Education and Certifications:

Master’s degree required in Library and/or Information Science, ALA-accredited or equivalent program

Professional certification preferred.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Library Services or related field

2 years of managerial experience

Language

Fluency in written and spoken English language required.

Fluency in written and spoken Arabic language preferred.

Other Required Skills

The Director, Library Services must possess essential skills in time management, resource management, quality, and risk management, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, meeting deadlines, maintaining high standards, and mitigating risks effectively. Desirable skills include proficiency in strategic planning and alignment, decision making, and coaching and mentoring, fostering long-term success and employee development. Preferred attributes include reliability, dependability, organizational awareness, and technical competence in library science, facilitating effective library operations and alignment with organizational goals.