Head of Library & Public Archives (800004)

Context

The Division of Archives, Library and Outreach valorizes ICRC heritage, knowledge and thought leadership through archives, library and law and policy outreach.

The archives and library preserve and valorize institutional information for long-term use and access, contributing to the ICRC’s business continuity, accountability, and transparence. They form the memory of the organization and of individuals and their families affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence and contribute to the development of knowledge on ICRC’s past actions and on the development of IHL.

The Law and Policy Outreach team leads the online and onsite outreach to law and policy circles in support of influencing key actors and decision-makers on humanitarian issues of importance to the ICRC. It brings together multidisciplinary outreach capacities encompassing the Humanitarian Law and Policy blog, public conferences as well as digital promotion strategies and online platforms.

Through its different components, the division valorizes ICRC’s past actions and thinking to inform current and future decision-making and promotes the ICRC’s present thinking, legal and policy positions internally and externally.

Purpose of the position

The Head of Library and Public Archives leads the acquisition, description and preservation of the ICRC’s archival and documentary collections (i.e. archives of the Central Tracing Agency, film, audio and photo collections and books and documents about the ICRC and IHL).

They are responsible for promoting the ICRC’s tracing and audio-visual archives and library documentary collections worldwide.

They are part of the Archives and Outreach leadership team and reports to the Head of Archives, Library and Outreach.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Organizes, supervises, and promotes the Unit’s transversal work and services and oversees the work on online platforms.
• Is responsible for developing policies, guidelines and procedures defining the Units work and services in conformity with institutional policies and professional standards
• Manages a team of 13 in conformity with ICRC’s People Leadership and Management principles.
• Is responsible for formulating the Unit’s annual objectives and budgetary requirements, monitoring budget spending and assessing performance.
• Positions the ICRC archives and library as resource center on the history of the ICRC and international humanitarian law and action, both inside and outside the organization, by promoting and making available the documentary collection and archives under their responsibility.
• Engages with a network of experts and develops partnerships with academic circles, research centers, and other libraries and archives.
• Drives the long-term ambition to digitize the ICRC’s collection and archives for independent historical reviews and internal knowledge management.
• Ensures that the unit’s activities evolve and that its operational objectives are aligned with institutional strategies.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of Division and Department vision and strategies and fosters synergies and collaboration across the division and beyond.
• Is the editor of the ICRC’s history blog (http://blogs.icrc.org/cross-files/fr/) and manages its social media presence.

Education and experience required

• University degree in the social sciences, archiving or information studies.

• 12+ years of relevant professional experience, including strategic planning, service delivery and project management.
• Experience managing archives or a library.
• Confirmed experience managing a team.
• Experience in public communication/social media/promotion.
• Computer proficiency, knowledge of archival or library management tools an advantage.

Desired profile and skills

• Proven leadership skills and confirmed management capacity.
• Ability to motivate a team and foster collaboration.
• Strong interpersonal and representation skills.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• At ease with networking and relationship-building.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Open-ended
• Grade: C2
• Activity rate:100%
• Estimated start date: ASAP
• Application deadline: 17 March 2024

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.