Lead, Library Services & Digital Scholarship

ABOUT ALU

At the African Leadership University (ALU), we're more than just an institution—we're a catalyst for transformation. Our mission is to develop a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who will shape Africa's future. Through our innovative curriculum, focus on experiential learning, and vibrant pan-African community, we empower students to become changemakers, problem-solvers, and innovators. At ALU, we're not just teaching; we're nurturing the leaders who will drive Africa's progress and prosperity in the 21st century

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a dynamic, inquisitive, and creative Lead, Library Services & Digital Scholarship to re-imagine the traditional library for a progressive, distributed university network. This role sits at the intersection of information science, instructional design, and digital innovation.

You will not just manage resources; you will architect an ecosystem that connects our community to an increasingly rich and diverse set of open-source and digital tools. Operating within a context focused on socio-economic impact in Africa, you will design and implement a forward-looking digital literacy framework that ensures our community is optimally equipped to excel in a resource-constrained, mission-driven learning environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Curation & Resource Acquisition for the ALU Learning Model

• Curate and procure high-quality library and information resources with a heavy emphasis on Open Educational Resources (OER) and open-access materials aligned with ALU’s mission-driven academic model.
• Develop and manage scalable systems for accessing library resources in a distributed, hybrid, and peer-led learning environment.
• Administer and promote the library's digital collections (e-books, e-journals, multimedia archives), ensuring high discoverability and user-friendly navigation.
• Negotiate and liaise with external organizations, academic publishers, and global suppliers to maximize access under resource-optimized budgets.

2. Faculty Facilitation & Pedagogical Support

• Partner with faculty, learning coaches, and instructional designers to integrate library databases and tailored digital resources directly into Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Moodle.
• Design and maintain accessible Library Resource Guides (e.g., LibGuides) tailored to specific course modules and complex challenges.
• Advise and train academic staff on digital copyright, creative commons licensing, and alternative content delivery mechanisms to enhance classroom facilitation.

3. Student Capstones & Faculty Research Support

• Provide advanced consultative support for student Capstone Projects and faculty research initiatives.
• Guide researchers through Research Data Management (RDM), data curation, and institutional repository submissions.
• Train and support students and staff on text/data mining and analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, Atlas.ti).
• Advise the ALU community on open-access publishing pathways and high-impact dissemination of African-centric research.

4. Digital Literacy & Emerging Educational Technology

• Define, implement, and regularly update a comprehensive Institutional Digital & Information Literacy Framework.
• Design and deliver interactive, asynchronous learning modules, video shorts, and live workshops focusing on digital citizenship, information literacy, and online safety.
• Evaluate, test, and safely integrate emerging technologies (such as Generative AI tools and virtual learning environments) into library workflows and student research habits.
• Collaborate with the IT department to optimize the digital user experience, troubleshoot proxy access issues, and ensure seamless single sign-on authentication.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Minimum: Undergraduate degree in Library and Information Science, Knowledge Management, or a related discipline with deep technical experience.
• Preferred: An ALA-accredited Master’s in Library Science (MLS/MLIS) or an advanced degree in Information Science or Instructional Design.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience working in an academic, research, or highly corporate library environment, with a demonstrable track record of managing digital scholarship platforms or educational technology.

Technical Proficiencies

• Proven proficiency with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and modern digital asset management software.
• Familiarity with data analysis software (SPSS, NVivo, or Atlas.ti) and knowledge of digital metadata standards.
• Comfortable exploring and setting guardrails for emerging digital platforms (e.g., AI search assistants, digital archives).

Soft Skills & Mindset

• Startup Agility: Ability to think from first principles, move fast, and pivot effectively in a high-growth environment.
• Critical & Creative Thinking: A clear understanding of how to build a robust information literacy framework tailored to a resource-constrained environment.
• Relationship Management: Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills; capable of mediating effectively between complex technical systems and the needs of a diverse user base.