Information Management Internship Opportunities

Information Management Intern
IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group

Summary
A short-term opportunity exists for a motivated self-starter to help the IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) modernize two of its long-term projects that are focused on sharing information and building capacity of elephant researchers and managers across the continent. This opportunity will allow for the further development of communications, data management, and web development skills, as well as exposing the intern to a wide range of conservation issues.

Job Description
The African Elephant Library (AEL) is a reference library of books and articles about the African elephant. With over 5,000 references and an online bibliography, it is a hugely valuable resource for elephant research and conservation. However, most of the references are only available in hard copy at the AfESG’s offices. In order to expand the reach of this important resource, the AfESG is hoping to develop an online, searchable, interface for the African Elephant Bibliography, linked to downloadable copies of nearly all the documents.

The Information Management Intern would be responsible for working with the AfESG team to:
1. Retrieve hard copies of AEL documents, and scan and save these documents using the current naming and storage protocol. A high-speed scanner is available, and scans would need to be of high quality, but small enough to download from the internet.
2. Figure out copyright issues for the articles contained in the AEL.
3. Explore database structure, software needs, and web interface possibilities for an online AEL.
4. Facilitate the implementation of the agreed-upon database structure and web interface.

The Information Management Intern would be responsible for:
1. Exploring options for undertaking this work and presenting these options to the AfESG team.
2. Implementing the agreed upon option.

Skills
1. Under graduate or diploma in Librarianship
2. Knowledge of digital library databases
3. Certification in Windows Operating systems, MS Office applications and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Knowledge of open access system is an added advantage.
4. Proficient in the use of internet and related web technologies. Familiar with programming languages (proficiency not required).
5. Ability to learn the use of office machines and familiarity with high speed scanning equipment.
6. Well-organized and able to establish courses of action to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
7. Quality-oriented and able to accomplish tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small.
8. Communicates clearly, proactively and concisely.
9. Able to think laterally and problem-solve.
10. Effective in written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.

Application Process
Applications should consist of:
1. A detailed cover letter outlining experience in digital library databases.
2. CV with 3 references with contact details.
Applications should be submitted to Cecily.Nyaga@iucn.org by July 15, 2013.

Only successful candidates will be contacted