The Malawi – Liverpool – Wellcome – Programme (MLW) (http://www.mlw.mw) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training, funded by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with our key partners, the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHes), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and University of Liverpool (UoL) among others. We are committed to promoting research and training led by Malawian & International scientists, with the aim of improving the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region.

The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) Library has recently implemented a Digital Repository (DR) to manage its research outputs. To effectively manage and showcase the institution’s research output, the MLW Library seeks to recruit two Digital Repository Officers. The individuals will assist in the creation of metadata, reviewing and the uploading of digital information resources (theses, dissertations articles, conference papers, and datasets) in MLW DR. The officers will upload, review, and organize MLW’s research outputs under the supervision of the Library Manager.

This is a 3 month contract with a possible 3-month extension based on performance and the position will be based in Blantyre.

The Digital Repository Officers will report to the Library Manager.

Responsibilities or duties

• Repository Content Management
• Create accurate bibliographic information and metadata into DSpace-CRIS following institutional and international metadata standards.
• Upload and organize research outputs including journal articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, datasets, and other scholarly materials.
• Link publications to the appropriate researchers, research themes, research groups, departments, and projects.
• Maintain the quality, organization, and discoverability of repository content.
• Content Quality Assurance
• Review metadata records for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
• Identify and correct metadata errors, duplicate records, and inconsistencies.
• Ensure compliance with repository metadata standards and controlled vocabulary.
• Copyright and Access Rights Support
• Verifying copyright status and license permissions before uploading full-text items.
• Apply appropriate Creative Commons licenses, repository access permissions where applicable and ensure compliance with publisher requirements.
• Reporting
• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports on repository growth, usage, and research output deposits to the Library Manager.
• Perform any other digital library-related duties assigned by the Library Manager.

Qualifications or requirements

Education: The minimum level of education required to perform all the duties of the job to standard.

• Bachelor of Library and Information Science, BSc. in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), BSc. Computer Science or related fields from an accredited institution.
• Familiarity with digital institutional repository software (experience with DSpace-CRIS), Metadata Standards, or Research Data Management will be an added advantage.

Experience needed

• Experience: The minimum number of years of experience required to perform all the duties of the job to standard.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience;
• Basic knowledge of database management systems.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.

KEY COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS (e.g. IT Skills, Personality, Communication, Teamwork etc)

• Strong understanding of Open Access publishing and scholarly communication trends.
• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of institutional repositories, especially D-Space-CRIS and research data management.
• Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Further details of the Job description can be found on the MLW website: www.mlw.mw

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

MLW offers an attractive remuneration package which includes a competitive salary package commensurate with the position, a medical aid scheme, 24-hour insurance cover, pension scheme, gratuity benefits redeemable once every year, among others.

MLW also offers opportunities such as scholarships, upgrading and training opportunities to employees. These are based on successful job performance and other set criteria.

• Repository Content Management
• Create accurate bibliographic information and metadata into DSpace-CRIS following institutional and international metadata standards.
• Upload and organize research outputs including journal articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, datasets, and other scholarly materials.
• Link publications to the appropriate researchers, research themes, research groups, departments, and projects.
• Maintain the quality, organization, and discoverability of repository content.
• Content Quality Assurance
• Review metadata records for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
• Identify and correct metadata errors, duplicate records, and inconsistencies.
• Ensure compliance with repository metadata standards and controlled vocabulary.
• Copyright and Access Rights Support
• Verifying copyright status and license permissions before uploading full-text items.
• Apply appropriate Creative Commons licenses, repository access permissions where applicable and ensure compliance with publisher requirements.
• Reporting
• Provide weekly and monthly progress reports on repository growth, usage, and research output deposits to the Library Manager.
• Perform any other digital library-related duties assigned by the Library Manager.

• Strong understanding of Open Access publishing and scholarly communication trends.
• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of institutional repositories, especially D-Space-CRIS and research data management.
• Good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.

• Bachelor of Library and Information Science, BSc. in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), BSc. Computer Science or related fields from an accredited institution.
• Familiarity with digital institutional repository software (experience with DSpace-CRIS), Metadata Standards, or Research Data Management will be an added advantage.
• Basic knowledge of database management systems.