Looking to develop a career in libraries and archives? Have an interest in history and a qualification and/or experience (including as a volunteer) in librarianship or archives management?

We have an exciting opportunity at our Amman Institute for a recent graduate or qualified individual looking for a new career opportunity. Excellent English and Arabic are essential. Must be able to work in Jordan (i.e. hold a work permit).

Role title: CBRL Amman Institute Library and Archives Assistant (full-time/fixed-term).

Deadline for applications: 3 July 2023, 5 pm Jordan time. Applications by CV and covering letter to: [email protected]. Applications without a covering letter will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates invited to interview will be contacted.

Interviews will be held on: 13 July 2023.

Role description: This new opportunity at CBRL assists with core functions of the library and supports continuing archival management and digitisation workflows. The position reports to the Amman Institute (and, in her absence, the Operations Manager). Tasks for specific archival projects will be set by the UK-based project lead through the  Amman Institute Librarian. The overall archives team leader is Archives and Collections Manager: UK & Middle East.

Start date: Week commencing 30th July 2023; an earlier start date in July can also be accommodated.

Duration: 8 months, 30th July 2023 – 31st March 2024.

August – September will be spent working solely on an archival project with assistance from a Digitisation Consultant.

October – March the working pattern will be spread out across the archives and library:  9:00 am – 2:00 pm in the archives / 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the library.

On days when there are events at the Amman Institute: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm (advance notice given)

Workdays: 5 days a week (Sunday – Thursday).  

Line Management: The CBRL Amman Institute Librarian is the direct line manager and, in the absence of the Librarian, CBRL Amman Institute Operations Manager will be the line manager.  Attendance is to be validated by timesheet supervised by the line manager.

Archive tasks/ responsibilities:

• Working – under the guidance and supervision of the CBRL Amman Institute Librarian – with the CBRL Archives and Collections Manager: UK & Middle East – on the development and population of the digital archive repository
• Reviewing and refining the existing archive box list to reflect the material at the series level and planning the listing and numbering of materials at the item level. 
• Overseeing delivery, installation/set up, and testing of any archival equipment, as needed with the assistance of a Digitisation Consultant.
• Rehousing archive material within archival-quality packaging, where needed. 
• Liaising with the Digitisation Consultant regarding image capture/digitisation of archival materials.
• Contributing to the adoption of an appropriate metadata schema for the description of archival material, with reference to international standards (e.g., Dublin Core, ISAD(G)).
• Carrying out digitisation of key archival materials according to international standards appropriate for the medium (e.g., print photographs, drawings, documents) with the assistance of a Digitisation Consultant 
• Working on the physical arrangement of the institutional administrative archive, according to protocols, and assisting with implementing sensitivity and GDPR review with guidance from both CBRL Amman Institute Librarian and the Archives and Collections Manager
• Contributing to blogs / social media posts (English and Arabic) on the CBRL website, under the guidance and supervision of the CBRL Amman Institute Librarian 

Library tasks/ responsibilities: 

• Assisting the librarian with general day-to-day tasks. 
• Assisting the CBRL library users and guests and library management duties.
• Supporting the update of the online library cataloging system. 
• Checking monograph and journal collections and reconciling with Liberty records. 
• Updating and maintaining the library list of Arabic language books.  
• Covering library afternoon opening hours during CBRL event days.

Record Keeping: 

CBRL staff are required to keep secure all CBRL records that they receive or create. Staff must create and manage records in line with CBRL records and archives procedures. 

To apply please sent your CV and a cover letter to:  [email protected], the deadline for applications is 3 July 2023.