DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 39 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. DevTech core practice areas include Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning; Data Solutions; Public Financial Management and Fiscal Sustainability; and Education, Gender, and Youth.
At DevTech, we care deeply about doing work that leads to positive change in the world. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive environment. We empower our employees to work autonomously and simultaneously give them the professional support that they need to learn and grow.
DevTech is looking for a Cataloging Librarian to work as an institutional contractor on its Analytics, Data, Visualization, and Information Services (ADVISE) contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). ADVISE staff comprise much of the USAID Data Services team, led by USAID’s Chief Data Officer (CDO) and situated in USAID’s Bureau for Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer (M/CIO). The Data Services team's main purpose is to improve the usage of data and information at USAID, so that the Agency continues to ensure its development outcomes are supported by evidence. Data Services’ work spans the “data lifecycle,” including planning, collection, cleaning, analysis, curation, reporting, and governance.
The Cataloging Librarian will work as a member of the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) sub-team, which is responsible for working with electronic documents relevant to international development (as shown on the DEC website). The DEC team manages the institutional repository for the agency, spanning more than 400,000 items in multiple formats. The team supports DEC users with document submissions, individually catalogs a subset of high value submissions and manages the automated cataloging of other submissions. It produces a monthly newsletter highlighting new materials and works to continuously improve site content. The team is actively engaged in the development of a new replacement repository which will advance end user experience in accessing digital content while enhancing team workflows as they make documents available. In this role, the Cataloging Librarian will contribute to the maintenance of the database of development materials (60%) support the team’s response to requests from USAID staff and members of the public (20%) and participate in testing the new repository and documenting team procedures for its use (20%).
About The Team
USAID Data Services’ core values are
- We are passionate, ambitious and care deeply about our work and the USAID mission.
- We are serious about meeting the needs of our customers.
- We are funny. We have fun. And we are human.
- We communicate and close feedback loops.
- We are proactive. We do not wait for success to come find us.
- We are a team who is committed to each other.
In keeping with these core values, we respect and encourage an inclusive and diverse environment in which we see our differences as strengths. We are a team of motivated and responsible self-starters that enjoy working in a team-oriented environment. We are always looking for ways to grow, through feedback, learning, and collaboration.
Primary Responsibilities
- Individually catalog documents submitted to the DEC which are deemed high priority by the agency.
- Work with the site’s technical team to develop requirements and communicate needs for changes to the platform, including functionality issues and bulk item imports.
- Respond to questions from users within and outside the agency to communicate best practices for using the DEC and to resolve issues with item metadata and availability.
- Select and abstract items for a monthly newsletter highlighting items that have been added to the database.
- Consult on the development of a new replacement repository for USAID materials, ensuring that DEC team workflows are tested and well documented.
- Collaborate actively and productively with other Data Services team members, as well as USAID clients, to ensure that features of the DEC are useful, accurate, well-targeted, and appealing.
Additional (Ad Hoc) Responsibilities
- Support the response to ad hoc requests, possibly including but not limited to
- Consult on best practices in information description and management.
- Manage database content.
- Document and improve team processes.
- Convert document submissions to preferred formats.
The additional responsibilities listed above reflect a sampling of the DEC team’s responses to ad hoc requests. The Cataloging Librarian will typically be expected to contribute to some, but not necessarily all, of these activities. Ad hoc requests are typically divided among the team based on availability, interest, and proficiency.
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or a related field.
- Five years of relevant experience.
- Knowledge of best practices in cataloging and at least two years' experience applying them to a collection in a library or document repository setting.
- Experience using a Content Management System (CMS) to describe and publish documents and metadata.
- Preferred Knowledge of and interest in international development or a related field, such as economics, global/public health, gender, trade, or international relations.
The candidate must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the required U.S. government security clearance for this project.
NOTE This job posting should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (40 and older), physical and mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history) or characteristics, military status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or alienage, or any other protected status as established by applicable federal, state, or local law.
