The Opportunity
The Library and Learning Commons Department seeks an incumbent for the position of Digital Archives Specialist who works under the supervision of the University Archivist to plan, design, classify, secure, store, maintain, use, retain, dispose, and preserve born digital and digitized records. supports the long-term preservation of digital assets and ensures that archival collections are discoverable, accessible, and usable by researchers, staff, students, and the public.
The Digital Archives Specialist also manages the university's digital archives and coordinates their ingestion into the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) compliant trusted digital repository infrastructure.
The Responsibilities
Core Functional Accountabilities
- Implements ISO/TS 16175, ISO 15489, ISO 14721, ISO 23081, ISO/TR 15801, and ISO 25964 to manage university digital records
- Works closely with the university IT department to develop an integrated electronic records management system for emails, data, web content, and electronic records
- Works with university departments to create an enterprise functional digital file classification system
- Creates and automates retention and disposition schedules for the integrated electronic records management system
- Appraises and selects university vital and historical records
- Collaborates with the National Library and Archives (NLA) to implement national archival legislation, rules, and regulations on the management of digital records
- Develops electronic records management policies, guidelines, forms, and procedures manuals per the NLA Act and other international archives and records management best practice standards.
- Works closely with all university departments’ management to establish and implement international archival best practices and standards for the acquisition, selection, accession, preservation, destruction, and access to physical and digital records.
- Arranges and describes records using ISAD-G, AtoM, or Records in Contexts–Conceptual Model (RiC-CM)
- Safeguards University’s Intellectual property rights
- Works with other university departments to have disaster preparedness measures in place
- Ensures adequate security measures for the safety of digital records
- Conducts regular records surveys, inventories, and audits for all types of University physical, analog, and digital.
- Supports the development and refinement of digital archiving workflows, including intake procedures, metadata description, and version control processes
- Works with University departments to ensure the smooth transfer of digital records to the University digital repository. Provides technical support related to transferring archival content across platforms or storage systems, while ensuring metadata retention and file integrity during transfers.
- Contributes to the planning, organization, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of digital archival projects
- Develops a digital Archives outreach program
- Actively participates in the work of the International Council on Archives (ICA) and other relevant local, regional, and international professional records and archival bodies.
- Provides archives and records management training to staff, students, and the wider community
- Keeps abreast of professional trends and developments in the area of archives and records management, and demonstrates adequate knowledge of key growth areas
- Does research and shares findings, locally, regionally, and internationally
- Undertakes all other assigned archives and records management tasks.
General Position Accountabilities
- Participates in the library’s public services and technological initiatives, including but not limited to references, instructions, workshops, and subject guides.
- Participates in library programming, committees, training, scheduling of classes, and special activities.
- Works with student workers and provides them with guidance and feedback.
- Performs other relevant duties as requested.
The Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in archival science, computer science, information science, or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus 6 years working in an intensive electronic records enterprise-wide environment at least 2 years in a supervisory position.
- Master's Degree in archival science, information science, or computer science with minimum 4 years or experience and at least 1 year in a supervisory position will be an added advantage.
- Certification in a relevant field is preferred.
- Working experience in academic library settings or equivalent is highly desired.
Other Essential Requirements
- Hands-on experience in Electronic Document Records Management System (EDRMS), Enterprise Content Management (ECM) environment
- Micro Focus Content Manager, OpenText
- Familiarity with ISO/TS 16175-2, ISO 15489, ISO 11799, ISO 14721, ISO 23081, ISO/TR 15801, and ISO 25964 international best-practice standards
- Mastery of AtoM, ISAD-G and Records in Contexts–Conceptual Model (RiC-CM)
- Excellent IT skills
- Mastery of MS Office applications
Desired Or Preferred Requirements
The Benefits
The University's benefits package is highly attractive, with competitive tax-free salaries in the UAE, cash housing, annual vacation airline tickets for the employee and immediate family, educational subsidies for children, and healthcare for the employee and the sponsored family members.
To Apply
In addition to completing the online application form, attach a cover letter, a current CV, and the names and contact details of three professional references.
While we appreciate all applications, you will be contacted only if selected for an interview.
For further inquiries, please contact Recruitment@zu.ac.ae