Digital Archive Specialist - Library and Learning Commons

Position Overview

The Library and Learning Commons Department at Zayed University is seeking a Digital Archive Specialist. Reporting to the University Archivist, this role involves planning, designing, classifying, securing, storing, maintaining, accessing, retaining, disposing, and preserving both born-digital and digitized records. A key focus is ensuring the long-term preservation of digital materials and that archival collections remain discoverable and accessible to researchers, staff, students, and the public.

The role also includes managing the university's digital archives and coordinating their integration into a trusted digital repository system compliant with the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement standards such as ISO/TS 16175, ISO 15489, ISO 14721, ISO 23081, ISO/TR 15801, and ISO 25964 to govern digital records management.
• Collaborate with the university IT department to develop an integrated electronic records management system covering emails, data, web content, and other electronic records.
• Work with university departments to establish an enterprise-wide digital file classification scheme.
• Create and automate record retention and disposition schedules within the electronic records management system.
• Appraise and select vital and historical university records.
• Work alongside the National Library and Archives to comply with national archival laws and regulations for managing digital records.
• Develop policies, guidelines, manuals, and forms for electronic records management aligned with the NLA Act and international best practices.
• Coordinate with university management to adopt international archival procedures for acquiring, selecting, preserving, destroying, and providing access to physical and digital records.
• Arrange and describe records using recognized standards including ISAD-G, AtoM, or Records in Contexts–Conceptual Model (RiC-CM).
• Protect the university’s intellectual property rights.
• Collaborate on disaster preparedness initiatives within the university.
• Ensure security measures to safeguard digital records.
• Conduct regular surveys, inventories, and audits of physical, analog, and digital university records.
• Support improvements in digital archiving workflows, including intake, metadata description, and version control.
• Assist with digital record transfers into the university’s digital repository, ensuring technical integrity and metadata retention.
• Participate in planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating digital archival projects.
• Develop outreach programs to promote digital archives.
• Engage with the International Council on Archives and other professional archival organizations locally and globally.
• Provide training on archives and records management to staff, students, and the community.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and developments in archival science and records management.
• Conduct and share research findings at various levels.
• Perform any other assigned archives and records management duties.

Additional Duties

• Contribute to library public service initiatives, including reference services, instructional workshops, and subject guides.
• Participate in library programming, committee work, training schedules, and special events.
• Supervise student workers, offering guidance and feedback.
• Undertake other tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in archival science, computer science, information science, or a related field plus a minimum of six years’ experience in a comprehensive electronic records environment including at least two years in a supervisory role.
• A Master’s degree in archival science, information science, or computer science with at least four years of experience including one year supervisory experience is advantageous.
• Certifications in relevant fields are preferred.
• Experience working in academic library settings or similar environments is highly regarded.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Practical experience with Electronic Document Records Management Systems (EDRMS) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) platforms.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Micro Focus Content Manager and OpenText.
• Knowledge of international standards including ISO/TS 16175-2, ISO 15489, ISO 11799, ISO 14721, ISO 23081, ISO/TR 15801, and ISO 25964.
• Expertise in archival description standards such as AtoM, ISAD-G, and Records in Contexts–Conceptual Model (RiC-CM).
• Advanced IT proficiency, including strong skills in Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Attributes

• Proficiency in both English and Arabic languages is desirable.

Benefits

Zayed University offers an attractive compensation package including tax-free salaries in the UAE, housing allowance in cash, annual airfare for the employee and immediate family, educational support for children, and health insurance coverage for employees and their sponsored dependents.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a cover letter, current CV, and contact details of three professional references along with their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.