Librarian jobs in South Africa

Cotlands is a registered non‑profit organisation (NPO) committed to creating access to quality play‑based early learning experiences through toy libraries and early learning playgroups.

We capacitate adults working with children and educate the parents of children on a variety of topics related to early childhood development. Join the passionate team at this leading NGO, with a strong national footprint.

The organisation is well established and has been in operation for more than 88 years. The Toy Librarian provides support to operational duties in the toy library for effective and quality implementation of all toy library programmes and to promote early learning opportunities for all children.

1. Quality service
   • Administration: Provide high quality front line and inter‑departmental service, give accurate, clear and sensitive responses to client enquiries, assist with maintaining clerical and administrative systems to ensure an efficient and effective toy library service to all, assist with maintaining the reception area, display table, office and kitchen in neat and orderly manner.
   • Planning and organising: Assist with planning and implementation of play sessions, co‑facilitate play sessions, engage with children and provide varied and quality early learning opportunities, assist with preparation, rotation and set‑up of play rooms/areas, assist with packing of PG kits as per learning plan, assist with preparation of events – WPD, toy library seminars.
   • Maintenance and stock control: Assist with sorting, packing and maintaining resources on toy library shelves, in all storerooms in neat and orderly manner, with all recycled and waste material in neat and orderly manner, with labels on shelves and containers/boxes in storerooms, with preparation and processing of resources, with repairs and cleaning of resources, with cleaning, packing away and maintaining all outdoor equipment in neat and orderly manner.
   • Meetings, work sessions and training: Attend and participate in meetings and work sessions as required; attend in‑service training and internal and external training as required; implement knowledge and skills acquired through training to provide quality services.
   • Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and implementation: Conduct self‑assessment/evaluation using monitoring check lists, use operational register to record completion of daily tasks as per PDP and work schedule to effectively manage time and tasks.
2. Advocacy and networking
   • Assist with building relationships with community children, primary caregivers and ECD centres.
   • Assist with the promotion of toy library services and programmes to community members, primary caregivers and donors.
3. Risk management
   • Use safe methods and techniques for shifting and lifting heavy equipment.
   • Take care of all resources, consumable items and equipment to prevent waste, damage or loss.
   • Assist with effective tracking systems of all equipment and resources to identify damages or loss.
   • Assist with recovery systems to prevent permanent loss or damage of equipment and resources.

• Ability to communicate well and be understood.
• Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Ability to engage and participate in "think tank" sessions and come up with ideas and suggestions.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and inform the relevant person. (It does not involve solving the problem, only recognising there is a problem.)
• Ability to work with other employees to achieve results and develop good working relationships.
• Ability to deal with customers and service users, putting the customer/service user first and giving excellent service.
• Ability to be flexible and have a good and willing attitude to adapt to change and work effectively in a variety of different situations.
• Ability to be proactive and organise yourself, your day, your duties and take ownership and responsibility to achieve the desired results.
• Accountable and responsible for all tasks and activities and to execute effectively within the required timeframes.
• Willingness to learn and develop by actively improving yourself with new skills and knowledge and learning from past experience.

• Matric
• ECD level 4
• PC Skills
• Driver's license
• By applying for the above mentioned position, applicants consent to Cotlands to conduct qualification, ID, criminal and reference checks on them which form part of its recruitment process.

Applicants who have not heard from Cotlands one month after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful and, any future correspondence from Cotlands thereof will be limited to shortlisted applicants only. Cotlands reserves the right to re‑advertise any of the above listed positions should the need arise and also reserves the right not to fill any of the listed positions.

Non‑South African citizens and non‑South African Permanent Residence holders must be in possession of valid documentation authorising them to work in South Africa.

Cotlands is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from key vulnerable populations and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.