CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries, and builds trust between them worldwide. We call this work Cultural Relations. We work in over 100 countries, connecting millions of people with the United Kingdom through programmes and services in the English language, the Arts, Education and Society. We believe these are the most effective means of engaging with others, and we have been doing this work since 1934. Our Head Office is based in London and we employ over 7,000 people worldwide, with an annual turnover of +£850m.
British Council has been operating in Bangladesh for over 60 years and has established deep trust and credibility with the government and many other organisations. These relationships put us in a strong position to build effective co-ordination and collaboration among different government departments and other stakeholders.
Both globally and regionally, the British Council have extensive experience of managing substantial Library Information Services and programmes. British Council’s longstanding international network of libraries has played a vital role in education and generation of leaders and, in South Asia, in particular, the libraries continue to be integral parts of the communities we serve. The British Council first began to offer library services in Bangladesh in 1954, in what was then known as East Pakistan. The British Council later expanded from one library in Dhaka to run branch libraries in the regional cities of Chittagong and Rajshahi. Today, there are British Council libraries in Dhaka and Chittagong, with more library services planned to open in Sylhet in 2016.
Libraries Unlimited addresses the urgent need in Bangladesh for greater access to information for all citizens. In particular, there is a lack of access to basic information for self-improvement to health, literacy, education, housing and government services. Additionally citizens have little access to information to improve their livelihood options and professional growth in terms of skills for employability, business opportunities and even entrepreneurship. Communities lack designated spaces that provide opportunities to participate in collective educational and cultural activities
To address this challenge, Libraries Unlimited will improve access to information and knowledge in Bangladesh. The programme has been designed based on the findings of the Library Landscape Assessment in Bangladesh (LLAB) published in June 2015 (the research report can be found her:http://www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/library-landscape-assessment-bangladesh). Libraries will help millions of people in Bangladesh learn their way out of poverty. To achieve this, the current library structure needs to go through a radical process of transformation, upgrading infrastructures, services and resources to meet the needs of 21st century societies. The intervention proposed through Libraries Unlimited will trigger and help sustain this process of transformation. The three core areas of action are:
Creating, through policy dialogues, advocacy and outreach to key stakeholders, a momentum to support the process of modernization of libraries in Bangladesh in order to meet the needs of the information poor
Developing a number of model libraries in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and NGO stakeholders, including improvement of infrastructure and technological upgrade
An extensive nationwide training programme for government officials and library staff
JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose of job:
The post holder will be required to contribute towards delivery and quality assurance of the Training & and Capacity Building strand for Libraries Unlimited in Bangladesh by leading on the following:
Managing the relationship with government, department of public libraries, technical partners and private sector organisations to understand Training needs and develop a Capacity Building plan
Understand the training needs for each individual group/level of staff working with the model libraries
Designing and successful implementation of training and capacity building for the selected group of staff working in the model libraries
Gather information and work in liaison with Head of Monitoring and Evaluation for showing the result of the professional development of the trainees
In conjunction with the Government of Bangladesh, the post holder will work with project partners to develop and deliver a coordinated and customized program of pre-service and in-service training, professional development, leadership and recruitment planning for the personnel of government-run public libraries. The training program will build on the Library Landscape Assessment Bangladesh (LLAB) research already completed, but will also be based on a more detailed training needs assessment that will be completed at the beginning of the implementation phase.
Drawing on the experience of other organizations from the Library sector, universities and Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals from the UK, Bangladesh and elsewhere, Libraries Unlimited will provide capacity building training to library professionals. This training will equip library staff with the skills to serve the needs of library users, including accessing digital sources of information, enhancing the multiple uses of library facilities, integrating ICT in library services and effectively promoting information services in their communities. The professional development program will build a community of practice for knowledge sharing and advocacy which will be extended throughout the government public library sector and beyond into other LIS institutions. The post holder will lead on the Training and Capacity Building component and assist the Project Management team to achieve the objectives of Libraries Unlimited.
The core purpose of the Libraries Unlimited Project Management Team:
The Project Management Team in Bangladesh will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project, including the recruitment of relevant staff, the creation of the Project Management Team and the management of the budget. The Project Management Team in Bangladesh will oversee the delivery of all activities related to the project, including the design and implementation of model libraries and professional development. It will also manage critical relationships with the relevant Ministries of Government of Bangladesh as well as key stakeholders from the non-government sector. The Team will also oversee the Monitoring and Evaluation process.
ACCOUNTABILITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN DUTIES:
Accountable to the Project Director, and responsible for:
1. Design, implementation and quality assurance of the training and development for the in-service librarians of the model libraries
Successful implementation of the Training and Capacity Building programme and maintaining highest quality and as efficiently as possible, demonstrating changing behaviour in terms of customer satisfaction of the selected libraries
Develop work plan and schedule of the training programme in different parts of the country
Ensure events management and logistical arrangements are delivered effectively, adhering to British Council standards and expectations
Achieve agreed centre targets against KPIs (expenditure, customer satisfaction, performance) and report business and financial data
Organise training programme for library managers and up to 100 library staff to lead, manage and deliver individual model service portfolios identified for pilot phase libraries. Link up participating professionals with mentors and peers in other countries
Identify, develop and launch basic ICT training required by all staff of pilot-phase model libraries as a basis for service provision by making available e-learning courses customized for the libraries sector. Provide a basic e-learning platform for LIS, capable of subsequent development. Introduce and promote the ICT training and the e-learning platform through the regional training courses. Design and establish an online communications platform for the libraries community, based on successful practice elsewhere. Launch platform registration and promote activity
Build collaboratively on the assessment of current programs and map available training to the needs arising from the pilot project, including that for leadership training of senior professionals and innovators drawing on available resources from other organizations and initiatives.
Assess the requirement for strengthening and improving both pre-service and continuing training and development of library staff, taking into account the future quantitative requirements, skills and aptitudes needed, including assessment of the scope for developing a fully-fledged national online LIS training platform. Organize a symposium to support this task.
Work with the Government of Bangladesh to identify areas in which greater management autonomy can improve the delivery of public library services and assess next steps to achieve this.
2. Finance, contract and risk management
Ensure sound financial management and planning aspect of the training component, working with the Finance Manager to oversee internal and external reporting, budget management, regular forecasting and meeting all the British Council standard
Ensure all contractual and financial requirements are met, co-ordinating/inputting on client reporting, ensuring inputs from the project team are timely, quality assured and submission deadlines met.
Lead on internal planning and reporting including; risk and issue management, impact reporting and ensuring regional management information requests are met.
3. Stakeholder management
Contribute to the identification and relationship management of a network of government high officials from Department of Public Libraries, private sector players, ICT and Education / Library professionals, other relevant government officials from the ministry, academics and representatives from donor and civil society organisations.
Stakeholder and partnership management is well planned and managed using appropriate tools and processes (stakeholder mapping)
4. To assist in the recruitment, management and professional development of freelance Training Consultants
Assist in the recruitment, induction, initial training and ongoing professional development of freelance Training Consultants.
Provide academic support to freelance team members through inductions and other CPD initiatives such as mentoring and buddying, are in line with global and regional standards.
Manage face-to-face and distance academic coordination meetings where applicable
Line management
Manages a team of 1 Manager and 1 Project Coordinator
Key relationships: (include internal and external)
Internal:
Director British Council Bangladesh
Deputy Director British Council Bangladesh
Head of Business Support Partners British Council Bangladesh
Head of Finance British Council Bangladesh
Head of IT British Council Bangladesh
Library Manager British Council Bangladesh
Heads of Strategic Business Units of British Council Bangladesh
External:
Key contacts and stakeholders at Department of Public Libraries, Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Key contacts and stakeholders at Bangladesh Shishu Academy - Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
Key contacts and stakeholders at ICT Division and Bangladesh Computer Council - Ministry of Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology
Key contacts and stakeholders at Access to Information (a2i) program - Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Key contacts and stakeholders at Ministry of Education
Key contacts and stakeholders at Non-governmental partners such as BRAC, Bishwa Shahitya Kendro (World Literature Center), Department of Information Science and Library Management, Dhaka University, Library Association of Bangladesh etc.
Other important features or requirements of the job
The job may require frequent travel across Bangladesh and some occasional business trips internationally. It will also involve occasional weekend and evening work. Such requirements will be managed and compensated within British Council HR policies.
The post holder will understand and make decisions which are affected by our Equality Diversity and Inclusion policy. Additionally s/he will exploit the opportunities brought by diversity and build them into all planning.
The post holder will understand the importance of child protection and ensure that policies and processes are in place to offer maximum protection of young people at all relevant events and venues and ensure compliance with BC Child Protection policies.
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