NSPCC JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: DIVISION: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: Senior Information Specialist National Services Knowledge and Information London DATE APPROVED: January 2016 Context and Background The NSPCC's mission is to end cruelty to children in the UK. Within the National Services Directorate our priority is to provide a range of universal national services, accessible anywhere in the UK, focused on protecting children and young people and preventing abuse especially at the times when they are most needed. Our universal national services include helplines, information and advice services for children and young people whatever they are feeling or facing, adults worried about a child or young person, professionals working with or on behalf of children and young people and organisations who work with or on behalf of children and young people. Our breadth of service offerings and expertise makes us integral to the child protection system. Knowledge and Information Services contributes to National Services aims by seeking out, promoting and disseminating learning on how children can be better protected. Our Information Service aims to provide world class information services to professionals and the general public on child protection. We have a specialist library collection which is unique and our library catalogue is regarded as the most comprehensive and authoritative database of child protection resources in the UK. We provide a range of information products including briefings, factsheets and online information and advice. Our current awareness services, CASPAR, is a weekly email alert service for professionals covering the latest developments in research, policy, practice, news and events, and has over 20,000 external subscribers. We are also responsible for managing and promoting access to the official records of the NSPCC including legal case files and the organisation s historical archives. Role Context All Information Specialists answer enquiries from NSPCC staff and external enquirers, and have responsibility for cataloguing documents and resources. In addition, Senior Information Specialists have a lead role in their designated team, either Knowledge & Statistics or Library, Records & Enquiries, but may Page 1 of 5
be asked to provide cover for work undertaken by another team to ensure that service standards are met and quality of service is maintained at all times. Knowledge & Statistics The Senior Information Specialist working in Knowledge & Statistics has specific responsibility for: managing systems and processes which ensure that the NSPCC is using authoritative, robust and up-to-date statistics about child abuse and child protection in external messaging and internal planning. Library, Records & Enquiries Senior Information Specialists working in Library, Records & Enquiries have specific responsibility for, either: managing and developing the Information Service s online services to NSPCC staff, external professionals and the public; including online content and resources, and the development of online channels for disseminating information and advice on child protection, or managing and developing the NSPCC s library collection and catalogue on child protection, including the cataloguing, classification and indexing of resources, and development of the library management system, or managing and developing the Information Service s enquiry and library services to NSPCC staff, external professionals and the public; ensuring that the service meets the needs of the organisation as the first point of contact for information about child protection, safeguarding and the work of the NSPCC. Job Purpose To contribute to the strategic objectives of National Services by delivering professional, specialist, high quality information, library and knowledge services to professionals and the general public. Key Relationships: external Regular contact with external organisations and other information professionals who deliver information and knowledge services, including external suppliers of information systems and services. Key contact for important relationships including Social Policy & Practice Consortium and LSCBs. Page 2 of 5
Daily contact to offer advice and information to organisations, local authorities, safeguarding designated leads, professionals, and the general public. Attendance at external events to promote the Information Service and raise awareness of the work of the NSPCC. Key Relationships: internal Line managed by the Service Head Library, Records & Enquiries or the Service Head Knowledge & Statistics. On occasion, deputises for the Service Heads. Line manages members of their respective teams and supervises the work of colleagues as required by the relevant Service Head. Works closely with National Services colleagues, especially the Contact Centre, and with colleagues in other directorates across the NSPCC depending on the role context but specifically Strategy, Policy & Evidence, Communications and Corporate Services. Daily contact to offer advice and information to NSPCC staff looking for advice and information. Main Responsibilities To work with the Service Heads in developing and delivering departmental plans. To contribute to the development of systems, processes and services as required by the Service Heads. To be responsible for the delivery of knowledge, library and information services to staff, external professionals and the public. To be responsible for the development and delivery of online information and resources through a variety of channels including the organisation s intranet and website. To lead, manage, develop and support line reports and other members of the team. To contribute to a specialist information service on child protection, conducting in-depth and complex literature and information searches on occasion, and to guide and supervise less experienced staff as required. To promote Knowledge and Information Services to NSPCC staff and external organisations. Page 3 of 5
To manage the NSPCC s relationships with the Social, Policy & Practice consortium, individual LSCBs, and other stakeholders. To participate in cross-divisional work as required and support the NSPCC s objectives as a whole. Responsibilities for all National Services Colleagues To take personal responsibility for keeping up to date with and contributing to the development of best practice. At all times to carry out the responsibilities of the post in a manner consistent with promoting equalities and diversity, and which demonstrates respect for children s rights. To actively participate in regular department and team meetings, contributing to strategy, discussions and decisions. To maintain an awareness of own and other s health and safety and comply with the NSPCC s Health and Safety policy and procedures. Willingness to work flexibly in terms of approach to work. Page 4 of 5
SENIOR INFORMATION SPECIALIST PERSON SPECIFICATION 1. A degree or post-graduate qualification in library and information studies or similar. 2. Significant experience of working in a library/information service at a professional, post-qualification level; including the development of systems, processes and services. 3. Proven ability to work within a networked environment and to use MS Office, specialist applications, web-based technologies and online databases. Proficient in internet and database searching. 4. Proven high level of skill in the cataloguing, classifying and subject indexing of resources to internationally recognised professional standards. 5. In-depth understanding of how to analyse statistics and to present information in a user-friendly and accessible way to meet the needs of different audiences. 6. Advanced understanding of digital developments and the delivery of online information, including an appreciation of the ways in which people engage with online content and services. 7. Experience of managing and developing collections of materials, both print and electronic, and the systems and processes that support auditing and retrieval. 8. Excellent communication skills: ability to write clearly, accurately and concisely to a range of audiences in the production of abstracts, summaries, user guidance, procedures and reports. 9. Proven ability to analyse stakeholder and user needs and put customer service at the forefront of service delivery, including handling complex enquiries from professionals and the general public in a social science environment. 10. Proven ability to manage and supervise including performance management, development, delegation, change management and support. 11. Ability to manage resources and own time effectively, work to deadlines and balance priorities. 12. Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills: ability to build good working relationships, be flexible and to be sensitive to diversity issues. 13. Ability to plan, monitor and deliver projects to agreed deadlines at the same time as meeting regular and shared work commitments. Page 5 of 5