Collections Assistant

About the role

SOAS Library attracts scholars from around the world and has holdings of 1.3 million volumes including an impressive number of print subscriptions in Western and vernacular languages. The Library Access and Discovery team is part of the Library, Learning, Research and Enterprise Directorate. Its role includes providing seamless access to and discovery of SOAS’ unique collections to enable learning, teaching and research. The Library is seeking a Collections Assistant to play a key role in the managing these collections.

The role will play a key role in the student and researcher experience by supporting timely and effective access to collections. The role will support the collection management lifecycle for the main collection including acquisitions, receipt, claims, cataloguing, storage, discovery and weeding. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a friendly and professional approach towards users and the capacity to cope with a physically demanding role.

About you

You will have a keen interest in cataloguing and resource description as well as a commitment to providing a world-class, inclusive library service. You will need to demonstrate:

Essential

• IT Literacy: A demonstrable ability to use and adapt the use of digital devices applications and services.
• A collaborative and cooperative approach and work effectively in a team
• Ability to process purchase orders through the full lifecycle and advise others on budgets
• Demonstrated attention to detail including the ability to file accurately and a willingness to learn the complexities of both Archive and Library classification systems
• Ability to manoeuvre large trolleys, shelve books over head height and conduct stock moves
• Demonstrate willingness to learn new systems including through independent learning

In return we offer 30 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional School closure days; a generous employer pension contribution; a number of loan schemes including season ticket and IT equipment; Cycle to Work Scheme; enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay provisions, childcare voucher scheme and financial support for childcare

Further Information

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Mathew Fitzgerald, on mf70@soas.ac.uk

About us

We are SOAS University of London; the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please click the apply button and complete the online application form, including your supporting statement and uploading your CV.

Closing date:  08 February 2022

Completed applications must be received by 23:59 on the closing date to be considered.

Interviews will provisionally be w/c 20 February 2022 on campus

Please note that it will not be possible for SOAS to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates. Successful candidates will therefore need to be eligible to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact hr-recruitment@soas.ac.uk 

For information on how and why SOAS processes personal data about its job applicants, please read our Job Applicant Notice 

At SOAS we celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusion amongst our staff and students. As such, we welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.  

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