The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
Library, Research and Learning Resources
The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first foreign university to open in China and is part of The University of Nottingham, which is ranked in the top 1% of all universities worldwide according to the QS World University Rankings 2013.
Placed 7th in the UK for research power by the current national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), Nottingham is a major research institution delivering work that is defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Described by The Times as “the nearest Britain has to a truly global university”, The University of Nottingham has invested continuously in its award-winning campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, attracting talented staff and students from all over the world.
UNNC delivers The University of Nottingham’s top-quality teaching and high-impact research from its base in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China. Located less than two hours south of Shanghai by train, UNNC has more than 6,000 students and 600 staff from around 50 countries worldwide.
High-quality research and education
Since opening our doors in 2004, we have established ourselves as one of China’s leading providers of international education, as well as an inspiring and stimulating place to work.
Both academic and professional services staff are either seconded from The University of Nottingham in the UK or recruited to The University of Nottingham’s standards.
Our academics are expected to be effective teachers but are also given support to carry out high-impact research that is relevant to China's interests and needs. Research spans all faculties and disciplines and staff are encouraged to present their work at international conferences, while professional services staff at all levels benefit from career development support.
The University’s working language is English and all our degree programmes, coursework materials and exams are in English.
Our teaching is subject to the same quality assurance processes as The University of Nottingham and our students graduate with a Nottingham degree. High standards are maintained across the three campuses through continuous module assessment, internal audits and external examination.
A global university in China
By joining UNNC you be living in China at the height of its economic development, gaining a global prospective and experiencing an exciting new culture.
Our secure, green campus has clean, comfortable and secure accommodation for staff and a dedicated clinic with doctors and nurses on 24-hour call. A convenient on-campus high street has a range of shops, restaurants, an ATM and spaces for recreation, while shopping malls, entertainment facilities and other amenities are all within walking distance or a short bus or taxi ride from the campus.
There are three established international schools in Ningbo and more are set to open to cater to the city’s growing international community.
Populated with more than seven million people, Ningbo offers the opportunity to feel at home among an array of international shopping outlets, restaurants, clubs and bars. It also provides the chance to embrace culture and tradition – bustling streets house markets selling a variety of antiques, textiles and delicious Ningbo cuisine.
Ranked 7th in Forbes’ (2012) list of the top cities for business in China, Ningbo’s import and export industry is one of the most important to the city and its businesses. The city is a mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture, which complement stunning parkland and scenic spots.
The city’s excellent transport links mean that Ningbo is easy to travel around and an ideal base from which to explore China and Asia. The city’s airport connects it to China’s major cities as well as some international destinations, such as Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei.
Centre of science and engineering excellence
The Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of the newest Faculties at the University, but it is expected to become one of its biggest as The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China rolls out its detailed, long-term plans. A 14,000m² building for science and engineering was recently opened. This is currently being equipped to enable the teaching and research to be conducted to the same high international level as the University of Nottingham in the UK.
The University expects to triple its number of science and engineering students to over 3,000 within the next few years.The first crop of UNNC science and engineering students began to graduate in 2012 and Master of Science degrees will be offered in a range of subjects in the near future.
Our science and engineering students reap the benefits of studying in an environment where conducting research that is relevant for modern business and industry is a priority. China’s ambitious development goals include plans to become known for scientific excellence and innovation and reducing the country’s enormous carbon footprint. The authorities have identified organisations like UNNC to help it achieve its national objectives.
UNNC is committed to becoming a leading green university and is building on its research, teaching and operational excellence to achieve this. We are playing a major role in developing technologies that will have a significant impact in reducing carbon emissions.
The University draws on the research expertise and experience at the University of Nottingham to deliver world-leading research and teaching in science and engineering here in Ningbo – a major industrial and manufacturing node for China and for the world. Our academic team includes scholars who have been responsible for important engineering patents.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM NINGBO CHINARECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title: Senior Officer of Research and Learning Services
School/Department: Library, Research and Learning Resources
Salary: Salary will be within the range of RMB351,386 – RMB419,574 per annum depending on skills and experience (salary progression beyond this is subject to performance). In addition, an attractive package including accommodation allowance, travel allowance and insurance will be provided for international appointments.
Job Family and Level: Local Plus Grade C
Contract Status: This post is available from 6 March 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter and will initially be offered on a fixed-term contract with the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China for a period of up to three years. This contract may be extended on an indefinite basis by mutual agreement.
Hours of Work: Full-time
Location: University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
Responsible to: Director, Library, Research and Learning Resources
Job Outline:
Reporting to the Director, Library, Research and Learning Resources, the Senior Officer of Research and Learning Services will take the lead on managing relationships with the university schools and faculties on behalf of Library Services. The role holder will ensure that connections are made between library service delivery and development and the university teaching and learning and research strategies.
Leading the Library Research and Learning Services Section, the Senior Officer will manage service development and change, coordinate operational planning and implementation, and ensure delivery of projects within the Section. In addition, championing research and learning focused library service delivery and development across the wider Department is a vital element of this role.
The Research and Learning section of Library Service has responsibility across the Professional Service Department for supporting students, academics and researchers in the use, publication and management of information. This includes: Subject information specialist enquiry and support services for teaching and learning, and research; information skills training; bibliometrics and impact advice and services; Open Access advocacy and support; analysis and requirements capture for service development; School and Faculty partnership development and CRM; working with Library Strategy and Planning to link the university strategy and plans to Library strategic development; and working with Library Collections Management link print and digital library collection management to Faculty curriculum development and research priorities.
Main duties and Responsibilities:
1. Research and Learning Services Leadership, Strategic Development and Management
• Lead the strategic alignment and development of library research and learning services, ensuring that development responds to needs of Schools and Faculties;
• Ensure that service definitions, levels and targets are appropriate, agreed with stakeholders and that they are delivered;
• Develop services in line with the university priorities; innovating and learning from best practice elsewhere;
• Devise and drive initiatives which improve staff - academic and research -satisfaction with library services;
• Manage the Research and Learning budget and staff resource to maximise services and support offered;
• Lead and oversee the annual development and implementation of operational plans and their on-going review;
• Develop and maintain frameworks to measure the success of the Section and ensure collection of data about use of research and learning services;
• Develop and implement training and development activity so that all staff deliver high levels of competency and expertise in support of research and teaching and learning.
2. Leading Faculty Engagement
• Lead on building and managing strategic relationships between the library and Schools and Faculties. Ensure effective engagement at Faculty Board level, and with directors of research and teaching and learning, and Heads of School;
• Forge teaching and learning and research relationships and initiatives in line with Teaching and Learning Strategy and Research Board priorities;
• Through engagement with Schools, align Library collections and services to the curriculum, focusing on learning outcomes (working with Collections Management and Learning Technology sections);
• Build acceptance of digital library resources (in addition to print) across user groups;
• Maintain and develop relationships within the Department and other University Professional Service Departments so that services and communication are joined-up;
• With the Strategy and Planning Section develop, plan and deliver effective communication strategies, harnessing opportunities available across the University.
3. Research and Learning Services
Teaching and Learning:
• Actively engage with, influence and support University teaching and learning strategic initiatives;
• In partnership with Teaching and Learning Directorate, Faculty Directors of Teaching and Learning and academic colleagues, align and embed library services in the student environment;
• Design and implement information/digital literacy training sessions to assist students learning;
Research:
• Develop services so that the library contributes effectively to development and analysis of the research base at the university, including bibliometric analysis of impact and maximising citations;
• Maintain an awareness of funder requirements and promote the infrastructure to support these - eprints repository, open access, research data management;
• Promote efficient workflows to support the increasing demands of Open Access policies from funder and institutional mandates and lead Open Access advocacy and support;
• Provide tailored information services and training to researchers and research groups, assisting them in keeping up-to date with the literature, undertaking systematic searches and supporting them in their utilisation of tools for collaboration and dissemination e.g. Mendeley.
4. Team Leadership and Management
Lead, manage, motivate and support the Research and Learning team:
· setting and reviewing goals for staff as part of the University PDPR process;
· acting as escalation point for issues and problems;
· identifying and providing for training and development needs.
Implement HR processes and guidelines for managing performance including hearing any disciplinary
5. Library Services Strategy Development
· Work with Library Director, Library Senior Management Team and the university stakeholders to develop departmental wide strategy, inputting with particular focus on the needs of customers, drawing on good and innovative practice elsewhere.
6. Project Direction and Change Management
Direct and lead Library Research and Learning projects; Steering the scope and shape of work, ensuring cross Department links are made, and that resources are prioritised in line with strategy. Oversee the management of all aspects of the project lifecycle including planning, benefits realisation and closure. This will also include input into:
· business case development;
· commissioning external consultants and temporary staff as skills and capacity dictate;
· facilitating agreement with senior stakeholders of project/programme scope and success criteria.
7. Communication across tri-campus in respects of library Research and Learning development
· Maintaining close relationship with LRLR UNUK and Library UNMC to ensure service qualification in equivalent level;
· Maintaining awareness of new services or policies delivered in other two campuses.
This job description may be subject to revision following discussion with the person appointed and forms part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification
Essential / DesirableQualifications/
Education / · First degree (or equivalent); / · Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area (or equivalent);
Skills/Training / · Excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire a team;
· Excellent influencing skills gained at a senior level;
· Excellent knowledge of the information landscape and scholarly communications;
· Outstanding management skills including project and change management;
· Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills;
· An ability to work effectively in a team environment with colleagues from different professional backgrounds;
· An ability to prioritise and to schedule workloads in the face of conflicting demands, within resource limitations;
· Knowledge of national and international best practice and standards in library service provision;
· Commitment to meeting the needs of University staff and students;
· Good information technology skills; / · Formal training in project, programme and portfolio management;
· Ability to develop and maintain external professional contacts and networks;
· Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements (e.g. Copyright legislation, Data Protection);
Experience / · Considerable professional experience in a senior management capacity, including experience of providing services in support of teaching and learning and research, and strategic planning;
· Experience of digital library and learning environment systems including repositories and learning technologies;
· Experience of developing and implementing communication and engagement strategies and initiatives;
· Experience of the management and direction of projects;
· A proactive approach to service development. / · Experience of successful fundraising;
· Experience of the application of technologies to support library service delivery;
· Experience of customer relationship management and CRM systems.
Personal Attributes / ·
Informal enquiries may be addressed to: May Yan (), Director, Library, Research and Learning Resources. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Please quote reference: UNNC487X1 Closing date: 6 February 2017
Please be advised that your references will be contacted prior to interview.
Interviews will take place in Ningbo, China