EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1.       THE JOB AND ITS CONTEXT

SPARC Europe is a voice for the European research library community and provides the support and tools it needs in order to bring about positive change to the system of scholarly communications.

SPARC Europe promotes an open scholarly communication system through

-          advocacy and education

-          the promotion of new models,

-          partnerships with all interested stakeholders,

by

-          taking leadership in the development of and the debate on Open Access

-          acting as a catalyst through partnerships with all interested stakeholders, and

-          coordinating lobbying activities within Europe

for the benefit of researchers and society at large in Europe and beyond.

SPARC Europe is the European affiliate of the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition, an international coalition of libraries based in Washington, DC.

SPARC Europe is governed by a Board of Directors.

The position of Executive Director offers a challenging and rewarding role in driving forward SPARC Europe’s goals and future development.

-          A unique opportunity to work with research libraries, universities, funders, publishers, and other stakeholders across the whole of Europe.

-          A new opportunity to work constructively with European library organizations in forging closer co-operation at the pan-European level.

-          Extensive scope for project management in successfully delivering SPARC Europe projects and activities.

-          Active involvement in advancing co-operation with research library organizations in North America and other continents.

-          The post of Executive Director will be based in the KB, National Library of the Netherlands, in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The present Executive Director will leave SPARC Europe in February 2010. The Board plans to fill the post of Executive Director as soon as possible.                                  

2.      JOB DETAILS

Job title: Executive Director

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Directors (currently Bas Savenije, KB, National Library of the Netherlands, The Hague)

3.      JOB PURPOSE

To provide SPARC Europe with strategic direction and leadership in line with its strategic goals, implement its strategic plan, and serve SPARC Europe members. The Executive Director will be expected to be present and active in the European debate on the future direction scholarly communication, both in person and electronically, and will also be responsible for taking initiatives, developing plans, liaising with other organisations, and seeking funding and support.  

4.       MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will undertake his/her responsibilities on the authority of the SPARC Europe Board of Directors, and will report directly to the chair. The main duties of the post are set out below. These are to:

Strategic development

1.       Implement the activities and services set out in the Strategic plan, taking direct responsibility for some initiatives, and working in close liaison with the SPARC Europe Board of Directors.

2.       Initiate and develop policy initiatives, and prepare strategy and policy papers for the consideration of the Board of Directors, and at the request of the chair of the Board.

3.       Seek and identify opportunities for closer co-operation and joint projects between SPARC Europe and other European and international organizations.

4.       Establish links and maintain effective liaison with the European Commission.

5.       Monitor closely European international developments and trends of strategic importance in scholarly communication, and make recommendations to the Board on how SPARC Europe should respond to these.

Membership and promotion                                     

1.       Plan and implement strategic policy initiatives, in liaison with the Board, to expand membership, especially in areas of Europe with low current representation.

2.       Prepare information for SPARC Europe brochures, leaflets and other promotional material, and promote the work of SPARC Europe widely within Europe and internationally.

3.       Oversee the SPARC Europe website, and take responsibility for the overall structure and content of the site, and for maintaining its currency.

4.       Participate in workshops, seminars and conferences to promote SPARC Europe initiatives and activities; and contribute conference papers and journal articles on the work of SPARC Europe or related issues.                       

Management and organization

1.       Manage and ensure the efficient running of the SPARC Europe Secretariat, and provide administrative support for meetings of the Board of Directors.

2.       Co-ordinate SPARC Europe membership meetings in liaison with the host organization and the Board.

3.       Supervise the assistant to the Director.

4.       Undertake such other management duties commensurate with the level of the post as may be required from time to time.                                                           

Financial management

1.       Take responsibility for the overall financial management and accountability of SPARC Europe’s finances, in liaison with the Treasurer, and in line with the decisions of the Board.

2.       Take overall responsibility for the timely and accurate preparation of the SPARC Europe Annual Report and Accounts, and all such other documentation and reports as may be required in the country of the Secretariat.

3.       Develop and maintain an effective investment plan for SPARC Europe, including investigating ways of raising additional funding from sponsorship and grants, in close liaison with the Treasurer; and liaise as and when required with SPARC Europe’s accountants and bank.                                                                                         

Sponsorship

1.       Prepare initiatives on attracting sponsorship for SPARC Europe, building upon current achievements.

2.       Implement sponsorship arrangements, liaising with relevant partners.

3.       Review sponsorship agreements on a regular basis in order to ensure that they are mutually beneficial to sponsors and to SPARC Europe.

4.       Seek and identify opportunities for funding to promote SPARC Europe activities.

 Communications

1.       Act as the principal conduit for effective communication with the SPARC Europe membership; and develop and maintain good communications for SPARC Europe both internally and externally.

2.       Communicate with other European organizations and seek opportunities to develop joint projects.

3.       Develop and consolidate SPARC Europe’s position in the developing European information landscape, and maintain effective contacts and liaison with key European players.                                                    

Key partnerships

SPARC Europe has entered into a number of key partnerships with other organizations which share its vision and objectives in the field of Open Access.

-        LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries) has identified Scholarly Communication as one of its strategic priorities. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding, SPARC Europe will undertake all European activity on Open Access on behalf of both organizations and such activity will be badged jointly as work by SPARC Europe and LIBER. In recognition of this partnership, the SPARC Europe Executive Director will be a member of the LIBER Scholarly Communications Steering Committee

-         Other SPARC Europe partnerships, among others EBLIDA (European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations), OASPA (Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association), DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), COAR (Confederation of Open Access Repositories).

5. KEY CONTACTS/RELATIONSHIPS

1.       The Executive Director will report directly to the chair of the Board of Directors, and will also work closely with other members of the Board.

2.       The Executive Director will be required to maintain effective links with the SPARC Europe membership; and to identify and be responsive to the needs and wishes of the membership.

3.       The Executive Director will be expected to forge effective working relationships with other European organizations, and to set up links and liaise effectively with the European Commission.

4.       The Executive Director will also liaise on behalf of SPARC Europe with related international organizations, including SPARC and SPARC Japan, in order to develop closer co-operative links.

6. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

-          A thorough knowledge of current developments in scholarly communication is essential, as is commitment to the principles and values of SPARC.

-          A good primary degree is required.

-          Proven experience in management is essential, preferably in scholarly publishing or an academic library.

-          Ability to think strategically and to identify opportunities is essential.

-          Excellent knowledge of English is essential, and a familiarity with other European languages is desirable.

-          A high standard of communication skills is essential, both verbal and written, and in participating in/leading meetings.

-          Experience of meeting deadlines and the necessary organizational skills to prioritize among several responsibilities is essential.

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Location of the post

The post of Executive Director of SPARC Europe will be located in the LIBER Secretariat, which is to be established in the KB, National Library of the Netherlands in The Hague, The Netherlands. The SPARC Europe Secretariat will be located in the same building as other European and international organizations hosted by the KB (such as LIBER, IFLA, TEL).

Salary

Salary will be on Scale 12: minimum € 3,886.00 to maximum € 4,998.00 gross per month full-time, plus a vacation allowance of 8%, and a December allowance of 8,33%. Candidates from outside The Netherlands can apply for a tax-free allowance equivalent to 30% of their taxable salary. SPARC Europe and the KB will support this tax treatment.

Further information about the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres, including details of annual leave and public holidays, is available at: http://www.wvoi.nl/default.asp?cid=92&pid=76

Period of appointment

The initial appointment will be for one year, subject to satisfactory performance of responsibilities and duties, and is open to renewal for a period of two years by mutual consent.

Hours of work

The nominal standard working week is 38 hours. There are no fixed hours of work, reflecting the need for work to be organized to meet SPARC Europe’s priorities in the most effective way. The post will be primarily based in the SPARC Europe Secretariat in The Hague, but a certain amount of travel outside The Netherlands will be required. Out-of-hours working, including occasional weekends, will also be expected in association with conferences and meetings.

Probation

There will be a one-month initial probationary period.

Notice

If the employee decides to terminate employment with SPARC Europe, they are required to give three months’ notice. If the employment is to be terminated by SPARC Europe, the employee will be entitled to three months’ notice. If the period of employment has been six months or less, the notice period will be one month either way.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should send a letter of application with a CV, including details of three referees, with email addresses if possible. Applications may be sent by mail or by email, or both, to the Chair of the Board of Directors:

Bas Savenije

KB

PO Box 90407, 2509 LK The Hague, The Netherlands

bas.savenije@kb.nl

Please mark the envelope/email: SPARC EUROPE RECRUITMENT

The closing date for applications is 14 February 2010. 

Interviews will be held in the KB in The Hague (www.kb.nl) on either 1 or 3 March.

FURTHER INFORMATION

More information about SPARC Europe may be found at the website www.sparceurope.org or by contacting:

Bas Savenije (Chair of the Board of Directors) bas.savenije@kb.nl, Tel. +31 (0)70 314 0497

David Prosser (Director of SPARC Europe) david.prosser@bodley.ox.ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)186 5277 614