Job Description

West Island School is seeking a visionary Librarian to lead the modernization of our library services and drive digital innovation across the curriculum. The ideal candidate will champion academic integrity, manage advanced learning platforms, and elevate students' research capabilities within our vibrant international school community. This is a full-time support staff position with Medical, Annual Leave and MPF benefits.

Less experienced applicants may be offered the role of Senior Assistant.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving excellence across these key areas:

Main Accountabilities

Library Operations and Collection Management

• Resource, select, catalogue, classify, and maintain print and non-print stock to ensure a well-balanced collection that supports curriculum and recreational reading.
• Administer and maintain the Library Management System (LMS) and automated loan workflows, oversee circulation, conduct regular stock checks, and manage systematic culling.
• Formulate and manage the annual library budget, including major capital replacement purchases.
• Oversee the selection, onboarding, training, and daily scheduling of library assistants and volunteer helpers.
• Promote library initiatives, academic events, and guest speakers via interactive displays, the school website, and departmental collaborations

IB Academic Integrity and Platform Management

• Turnitin Administration: Serve as the primary administrator for the Turnitin platform; oversee account creation, class setups, and access management for faculty and students.
• Monitor, track, and manage the submission pipeline for International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework, ensuring all final Extended Essays (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essays are correctly uploaded and scanned for originality.
• Analyse Turnitin similarity reports, flagging potential academic integrity exceptions to the appropriate IB coordinators and faculty heads.

Curriculum Support and Research Training

• Collaborate with EE and TOK coordinators to design, develop, and deliver comprehensive, detailed training modules on MLA 9th edition citation standards.
• Conduct systematic workshops for senior students covering in-text citations, works-cited mechanics, formatting nuances, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in research.
• Implement a structured programme of library skills, research methodology, and database navigation tutorials across the student body.

Performing other duties and assuming accountabilities as apparent or as delegated, including mutually agreed upon objectives, e.g. liaison with other schools, attending ALESS meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Library Science, Information Studies, or a related information management discipline
• Membership of a professional Library organization e.g. CILIP, ALIA, ALA is essential.
• Relevant experience of 3-5 years (3–5 years of professional library experience, ideally within an international or IB World School environment) is desirable.

Competencies and skills

• Proven ability to appraise, source, and balance digital and physical materials matching diverse student reading profiles.
• Expert knowledge of Library Management Systems (LMS), digital database archiving, and educational platforms (specifically Turnitin).
• Familiarity with international curricula frameworks (IBDP/IBCP), academic integrity requirements, and MLA 9 citation rules.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with faculty heads, coordinators, and students.
• Strong organizational skills to manage complex timetabling shifts for research lessons and external library events
• Expert knowledge of IT systems in managing a library
• Knowledge of school’s aims and objectives, students’ abilities and reading needs, books and non-book materials.

For enquiries, please contact Rathi Nandakumar @ 28191962 or Email: rathi.nandakumar@wis.edu.hk

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date. We strongly recommend early applications as we reserve the right to appoint candidates earlier than the closing date.

By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.

Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.

ESF is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in our care and expects all applicants to uphold this commitment. We adhere to rigorous recruitment practices, with all appointments contingent upon an interview, identity verification, criminal background checks (including ICPC, SCRC, and other international background checks as appropriate), assessment of social media presence, and positive references.

In accordance with the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidelines, ESF may perform online checks for all shortlisted candidates prior to the interview.

About Us

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

There are over 18,000 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.

www.esf.edu.hk

About the Team

West Island School is a world class co-educational IB World School with a leading reputation in Hong Kong. Our school motto “Strength from Diversity” reflects that the school caters for students from over 40 nationalities. The school has a strong focus on developing responsible global citizenship teaching through the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Courage, compassion and service beyond the classroom define our students. We have a reputation for academic excellence and the vast majority of students graduate to a range of leading worldwide universities after completing the IBDP or IBCP programme. In 2020, our average score for the IB Diploma was 37, and 29% of students achieved 40 points or more. Extracurricular activities are offered termly through an extensive CAS programme (Community, Activity and Service). We have a strong focus on pastoral care to support the whole development of young people.

https://wis.esf.edu.hk