Librarian jobs in South Africa

Industry: Education & Training

Job category: University and Academy

Location: Potchefstroom

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

NWU

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) | DIVISION: DVC: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION - LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE | POSITION NUMBER: N000303 | VACANCY: LIBRARIAN/SPECIALIST: USER EXPERIENCE PEROMNES GRADE: 8 | EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Coordinate user experience and quality assurance processes and initiatives within the NWU LIS, delivering responsive, user-centred services that support teaching, learning, and research excellence, while ensuring continuous improvement of services and compliance with institutional and national standards.

• Conduct usability testing, surveys, and interviews to gather user feedback on library services, spaces, and systems, in collaboration with the other library entities/sections.


• Collaborate with Library Systems to improve user interfaces and online platforms.


• Coordinate service redesign initiatives using human-centered design principles.


• Track performance indicators and service improvement metrics.


• Research trends and stay abreast of best practices on social media to develop content ideas relevant to the library's audience.

• Support the alignment of UX and QA data insights with strategic priorities.


• Support the development and review of the LIS strategic and operational plans.


• Prepare integrated reports for internal stakeholders and LIS leadership.


• Continuously evaluate the LIS platforms (website, social media) for user experience and quality purposes.


• Support the coordination and execution of user-centered library events that enhance engagement, promote library services, and provide opportunities for user feedback to improve future offerings.


• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of the community engagement and outreach initiatives using user-centered design principles to enhance library visibility and ensure high-quality engagement with internal and external local communities.


• Actively participate in the planning, design, and evaluation of library infrastructure and refurbishment projects to enhance user experience, ensuring spaces are user-centered, accessible, and aligned with changing user needs and strategic objectives.


• Coordinate and facilitate workshops and information sessions on UX and QA for LIS staff, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and user-centered service delivery.


• Provide supervisory support to the OPQ section staff, assisting the Senior Manager in mentoring, monitoring performance, and ensuring alignment with LIS strategic objectives.


• Assist in identifying relevant professional development interventions, conducting skills audits, and supporting the execution of staff development initiatives in collaboration with the Senior Manager: OPQ.

• Ensures equitable implementation of the LIS quality assurance framework (e.g. CHELSA) and in-house quality manual.


• Support the review of the LIS quality manual, policy, and guidelines.


• Monitor compliance with the LIS sector, institutional, and national QA standards and policies.


• Support in preparing documentation for audits, self-evaluations, and accreditation.


• Support LIS benchmarking initiatives.


• Coordinate risk assessments, compliance checks (risk and compliance).


• Review and edit articles/content for submission to blogs, newsletters, social media, and other publication channels, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and a user-centered focus, in liaison with the Senior Manager: OPQ.


• Assist in developing and reviewing marketing materials, such as posters, flyers, digital banners, and pull-up banners, ensuring high-quality design, user-friendliness, and alignment with the institutional branding guidelines.

• Develop data collection tools and analyse qualitative and quantitative data for decision-making.


• Compile UX/QA reports, dashboards, and presentations for various institutional reports (e.g., LIS annual reports, CE/R&I) in collaboration with the Senior Manager: OPQ and LIS entities.


• Monitor library platforms, including social media metrics, and analyse performance to optimise content strategy and enhance user engagement.

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Library and Information Science or related field Human/User-Centered Design (NQF level 7).


• A minimum of three (3) years’ user experience in the design and execution of UX studies - conducting surveys, focus groups, and usability studies.


• A minimum of three (3) years’ quality assurance and monitoring experience in coordination, implementation, reporting, and evaluation - experience coordinating quality assurance processes and audits.


• A minimum of three (3) years’ analytical and interpretive experience in data analytics - producing data-driven reports to inform decision-making.

• Postgraduate diploma / honours degree/ or equivalent in Library and Information Science/Human/User-Centered Design, or UX Research (NQF level 8).


• Certification in UX/UI/human-centered design.


• Experience applying service design or design thinking methods.


• Knowledge and experience of quality compliance and enhancement, risk assessment.


• Experience in the use of data visualisation tools/platforms.

• Knowledge of national and institutional quality assurance frameworks (e.g. CHE, DHET).


• Experience with performance measurement, audit preparation, and strategic reporting.


• Proficiency in user-centered design principles, usability testing, and service journey mapping.


• Ability to conduct and analyse user feedback using qualitative and quantitative research methods.


• Knowledge of UX research methodologies.


• Proficiency in UX design tools such as Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma (and others).


• Familiarity with systems, discovery tools, digital platforms, and UX evaluation tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Hotjar, etc.).


• Advanced information management skills and understanding of the digital research ecosystem.


• Ability to collect, analyse, and visualise data for informed decision-making.


• Proficiency in tools and techniques such as Excel, data dashboards, and behavioural analytics tools (e.g. LibInsights, Power BI, etc.) for performance and user analytics.

• Analytical thinking and problem solving.


• Communication and interpersonal skills.


• Collaboration and teamwork.


• Innovation and adaptability.


• Attention to detail.


• Accountability.


• Accuracy.

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

Ms. Dina Mashiyane on 018 299 2788

Mr. Rabs Diratsagae on 018 299 4797

5 January 2026

As soon as possible

Applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website. Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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