Cataloguer

Result of Service1. Create full bibliographic records for physical books received by the UN Library Geneva as gifts from various stakeholders to make them discoverable in the Library catalogue (Global Search). Cataloguing priority has to be given to a collection of 138 books in Chinese received in 2025. Other gifted books to be catalogued are in different world languages, including Arabic and Russian. Book topics are related to United Nations activities (international law, human rights, development and economics, history of international relations, trade, statistics, shipping etc.). 2. Revise the draft Library cataloguing manual and provide suggestions for its improvement. 3. Provide instruction, training and advice to Library colleagues on bibliographic records creation to make a collection of legacy pamphlets discoverable in Global Search. Work LocationThe physical collections to be catalogued are located in the UN Library & Archives, Geneva, Switzerland. The consultant will work in hybrid mode, alternating work from home and presence on site when required. Expected duration3 months, renewable Duties and ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Library Cataloguer will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Metadata Creation and Cataloguing • Catalogues and classifies monographs, UN publications and other resources using AACR2, MARC 21, UDC, Cutter tables and UNBIS Thesaurus. • Creates, updates, and maintains bibliographic and authority records to support the discoverability of the materials. • Applies UN Library cataloguing policies and ensures alignment with international best practices. 2) Quality Control and Authority Management • Ensures accuracy, consistency, and quality of metadata by reviewing and validating records imported from external sources. • Maintains authority control for names, subjects, geographic areas, and corporate bodies, following UNBIS Thesaurus. • Performs data cleanup, record reconciliation, and metadata standardization. 3) Support to staff and Library users • Enhances user access to relevant book collections, UN publications, and historical resources. • Provides advice to establish a comprehensive, updated and easy-to use cataloguing manual. • Provides training in basic cataloguing and metadata creation to colleagues, in the framework of a retrospective cataloguing project. • Contributes to metadata strategies for digital preservation, institutional repositories, linked data initiatives, and knowledge dissemination platforms. The contractor: • Works independently and maintains high accuracy and consistency under time constraints. • Manages priorities and meet deadlines. • Communicates technical information clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audience. • Works collaboratively with colleagues in other Library units (Collection Development and Maintenance Unit, Digital Engagement Unit and Research Services Unit) to achieve organizational goals and knowledge-sharing. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s) in Library and Information Science, Information Management, Archival Science, or a related field. At least 5 years of relevant cataloguing or metadata experience, preferably in an international, academic, or institutional library is required. Experience with multilingual cataloguing, UN publications or cataloguing in an international environment is desirable. Knowledge of Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and Library Services Platforms (LSPs) such as Clarivate’s Alma is required. LanguagesFluency in English and French, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of other UN languages, in particular Arabic, Chinese and Russian is an asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.