Map Librarian

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

UNOPS will provide support to UNOG Library’s Digitization of the League of Nations Archives project, through the provision of services, which includes procurement and personnel support. This project addresses the League of Nations Archives collection managed by the United Nations Office at Geneva, consisting of the digitization for a subsequent provision of online access to the complete records of the League of Nations during its existence from 1919 to 1946, including approximately 3 linear kilometres or 15,000,000 pages of materials and thousands of maps. While the inherent value of the original materials necessitates provisions for their long-term physical care, digitization can contribute to the overall preservation of the collections to ensure that people from around the globe can discover, use, and learn from these important records.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader, the map archivist will work with the UNOG map collection to perform multiple and complex archives-related tasks, including but not limited to:

- Identify and select maps for digitization that meet the collection statement for League of Nations maps

- Organize and classify maps as needed and provide materials with unique identifying numbers

- Create and maintain a physical location and inventory of maps and related materials

- Perform and track transfer of maps and related materials to and from various project teams and storage areas; including moving loaded carts and lifting archives boxes weighing up to 10 kilograms.

- Perform basic physical preservation treatments, such as flattening of documents.

- Perform the physical preparation of maps and related materials for their digitization, including removal of fasteners, sorting, and minor repairs.

- Undertake archival processing and/or cartographic cataloguing activities by producing descriptive metadata records and monitor adherence to description, database and preservation standards

- Perform other related duties, as required.

Results expected:

- Perform tasks with high degree of accuracy that will allow projects objectives to be met within allotted time frames.

- Raise issues and concerns to Project Team Leader as necessary.

- Support project objectives through collaboration and flexibility.

a. Education

Master’s degree in archival, library or information science or related field, or Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years of relevant work experience.

b. Work Experience

- At least 2 years of experience in archives, libraries, or related field required

- At least 1 year of experience in collections management including assessment and appraisal/selection required

- Experience working with cartographic materials is strongly preferred

- Experience with archival or heritage digitization projects will be an asset

- Experience working in a special collections library will be an asset

- Experience with cataloguing procedures and archival description will be an asset

c. Language

Fluency in oral and written English or French and working knowledge of the other is required.

Professionalism: Knowledge of cartographic collections, including their cataloging, preservation, and digitization. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Strong analytical skills: demonstrable success in identifying patterns, causalities and correlations from large amounts of complex information from various sources and synthesizing this analysis into clear statements and summaries.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. 
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

This position is based in Switzerland and the contract fee is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.