Research and Inventory Manager at Book Bunk

Job details

The Research and Inventory Manager is responsible for overseeing our public library restoration project's data planning, collection and delivery. You will ensure that Book Bunk secures both qualitative and quantitative input from library users, staff, patrons, partners and others on intended future use and other research points. You will also function as liaison between the Founding Partners and data collection teams/ partners while overseeing the process of recording the library’s full inventory (books, artefacts, artistic objects, furniture).

Job Purpose

• Assist with design and overall direction of research and inventory templates
• Define Implement research objectives
• Create content and stories from the research findings (data stories, human stories)
• Develop innovative, interactive ways to present our findings to various publics.
• Provide leadership to research interns from concept to delivery
• Liaise with research partners

Job Objective

As Research and Inventory Manager, you will be responsible for the success and seamless operations of all research-related aspects. The focus of the research consultant will be to ensure the highest quality for all data gathering and delivery. We expect the research consultant to lead the overall data aspects of the project as well as its day-to-day management

Accountabilities

• Research and Inventory
  • Research and present creative methodologies to guide data-gathering design, using both quantitative and/or qualitative methods including;
  • Pilot and development work
  • Development and testing of theories
  • Document analysis
  • Surveys
  • Case studies
  • Interviews (face-to-face, telephone and online)
  • Liaise with Principals and library staff in planning research timelines
  • Design questionnaires and inventory recording systems
  • Recruit research and inventory interns to carry out fieldwork
  • Provide consistent research covering;
  • Library trends
  • Library content (both physical and digital)
  • Potential research/ content partners and funders
  • African audio content (poetry, short stories, novels) and its makers (contact, social media profiles and other information)
  • Ensure data collation in a manner consistent with internal and external M & E reporting
• Data Gathering and Presentation
  • Gather information by directing and carrying out fieldwork
  • Plan logistics, schedules and prepare work plans/ briefs for interns, ensuring all plans are properly executed
  • Liaise with and direct research interns/ field interviewers on data gathering (survey distribution and collection, interviews)
  • Carry out information and data retrieval searches using electronic and other databases where applicable (i.e. on history of Library spaces)
  • Analyse and evaluate research and interpret data, making sure that key issues are identified
  • Prepare, present and disseminate results (as both verbal presentations and in written reports) in agreed templates and provide recommendations
• Volunteer Management/Relations
  • Maintain select list of volunteers and interns suitable for the different facets of our work
  • Liaise with universities and other institutions of higher learning to develop a credit system to award successful graduates of the internship program.
  • Serve as Book Bunk’s point person for negotiating rates with interns and other short-term research staff
  • Promote positive relations between Book Bunk, research partners, and other collaborators by adhering to agreements and responding to requests
  • Keep all logs and human resource files related to part time staff.
• Administration and Communications: Together with the Admin and Finance department,
  • Develop and monitor budgets for all research activities
  • Maintain appropriate cost controls while maintaining integrity and upholding agreements
  • Manage procurement of supplies, licenses, equipment, and services for operational purposes related to research activities
  • Maintain inventories of property and supplies, making periodic checks for reports to the Admin and Finance department