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The African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL), Leiden University, has a vacancy for

Head of the Library, Documentation and Information (LDI) Department

Full-time (5 days a week)

What you will do

As head of the LDI department, you will strengthen the connection between the collection, research and education of the ASCL. You will lead a team of about 10 people: library staff, scientific information specialists and automation and website staff.

• You are responsible for developing, profiling and promoting the collection, services and products, in conjunction with the research of the African Studies Centre and in consultation with the University Library.
• You develop and implement policy plans and be ultimately responsible for their execution
• You are responsible for the department's personnel and financial resources, including external fundraising.
• You are responsible for ICT support for documentary information provision and the ASCL website. 
• You are responsible for initiating and leading projects and for shaping Leiden, national and international collaboration in the field of collecting and documentation.
• As a member of the ASCL management team, you will co-determine the policy and strategy of the organization as a whole.

Where you will work
The African Studies Center Leiden is an interfaculty research institute of Leiden University and the only multidisciplinary academic knowledge institute in the Netherlands that is fully dedicated to the study of Africa. It boasts a renowned collection with unique primary material in the African Library and is progressive in open science, acquisition in and collaboration with Africa. More information about the policy of the LDI department can be found here.

The ASCL offers a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic work environment. The ASCL research and collections and documentation represent a diversity of subjects and countries, and we are active in the field of education through minors, masters and postdoctoral courses.

What you bring

• A clear vision of the future of collecting in African Studies.
• Training or have extensive work experience in the field of library, documentation and information provision.
• At least two years of managerial experience with the ability to work systematically and can delegate tasks effectively.
• Your own research or teaching profile in the field of collections and African Studies.
• Strong networking skills, communicative, proactive, enthusiastic and results-oriented.
• A university degree in  social sciences or humanities, preferably with PhD.
• Knowledge and experience with digitalisation and ICT applications in scientific information provision.
• Experience in policy formulation and collaboration projects.
• Proven success in raising external funds.
• Excellent command of Dutch, English and preferably French. Knowledge of Swahili or another widely spoken language on the African mainland is an advantage.

 
What we offer
A varied and challenging job in an inspiring, informal, scientific environment with opportunities for personal development. The employment contract is in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary, depending on education and work experience, is a minimum of €5,441 and a maximum of €6,986 gross per month for a full-time (38 hours) appointment (scale 12). The appointment is for one year with the prospect of a permanent employment contract.

Leiden University has good employment conditions. For example, there is an end-of-year bonus (8.3%), holiday allowance (8%), excellent opportunities for personal development, paid parental leave and the possibility to choose tailor-made employment conditions via an individual choices model. You can read all information about this on Employment conditions - Leiden University.

Diversity and inclusion
The African Studies Centre Leiden and Leiden University aim to be an inclusive community that enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop themselves to the full. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our education, strengthens our research and our organisation.

Information
For more information about what the job entails, please contact Prof. dr. Marleen Dekker via m.dekker@asc.leidenuniv.nl.

Apply
Are you interested? Please apply via our online application system. Use the blue button on the application page.

You can submit your motivation letter and CV until 5 January (23:59) 2025. Applications can be sent to the application committee.

• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct) will be part of the selection procedure. Only applications submitted via our online application system will be processed. 
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

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