100000002752.Director of Distinctive Collections

Job Purpose:

To provide leadership, oversight and strategic vision for the Division in line with QNL’s mission and vision to be the custodian of Qatar and the region’s heritage as well as to inspire discovery, learning and research.

Key Result Areas:

• Work closely and collaboratively with QNL-ED and the rest of the management to realize the Library’s mission and vision. Provide advice to QNL management on matters pertaining to distinctive collections.


• Lead and provide strategic vision for the Distinctive Collections division.  Lead, oversee and manage an effective operations, budget and human resources for the division. Responsible for the development of the strategic plans and annual workplans. Continuously assess and iterate programmes to improve services and advance initiatives.


• Oversee the development of the distinctive collection of the library which includes acquisitions, processing, organizing, cataloguing, preserving, promotion, and making accessible the collection which covers varied formats like printed documents, archives, photographs, manuscripts, audio-visual media, and digital collections. Develop and refine the QNL collection development policy and other policies related to exhibitions, collection usage, assessment, and services, in collaboration with other divisions.


• Lead, oversee and manage the development and delivery of the conservation, preservation, and heritage science functions for the physical collection. Oversee the physical space needs of collections both on and off site, monitor the movement and condition of items, and provide safe and expedient access to collections within reading rooms and in public displays.


• Oversee the development of a robust program of events, services, and initiatives such as symposia, lectures, exhibitions, and scholarly conferences that showcase QNL’s collections and the research use of such collections, and for the IFLA Preservation and Conservation Centre of which QNL is the MENA focal point.


• Leverage knowledge of professional best practices to create or facilitate collaborations on distinctive collections initiatives to develop innovative engagement for the public and research.


• Oversee the development and implementation of proposals for educational programs that enhance the scholarly use of QNL's unique collections and services and provides reference and consultation to researchers and visiting scholars; collaborates with local universities and museums to devise new innovative ways of understanding history.  Develop and foster relationships with donors and prospective donors of collection materials and funding to enhance QNL’s holdings and programming.  Lead and manage the team, ensuring a supportive and inclusive working environment, high performance, prioritization, and a culture of continuous improvement.


• Work closely with the Library's IT and Cataloging departments to continue QNL's digitization program to enable staff to be aware of, inform the development of, and understand standards, policies, procedures, technical, and copyright legal requirements for acquisition and curation of the physical and digital collections.


• Work collaboratively with professionals, researchers and museums and other unique collection entities in Qatar.


• Promote awareness and use of QNL’s collections within the country, region, and internationally in support of original scholarship and research.


• Actively serve on QNL committees and committees of regional, national, and international organizations and associations that promote preservation and access to special collections.


• Actively engage with professional organizations in special collections, archives and other cultural fields and engage in scholarly pursuits that feature QNL unique collections.


• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor.