Roles, skills and qualities of information management officers

In general, information management officers play important roles in ensuring effective information management and in identifying information needs and requirements throughout the organization’s business activities. The technology can only assist in processing the data into information that officers can later digest as knowledge and innovation. Only people who can determine which information is useful and which is not in the knowledge creation process are therefore information management officers.

Even if the qualification, qualities and skills differ from one organization to another, but there are common roles, skills and qualities such collection of information, information analysis and information dissemination.

S/N	Role of information management officers
1	To acquire, collect and deliver information (e.g. Reports, records).
2	To identify the quality and evaluate information effectively.
3	To identify organizations’ information needs and requirement.
4	To identify and analyze customers and competitors and facilitate effective communication
5	To develop and maintain library, database, online information resources and websites.
7	To conduct organizational environmental scanning for external and internal information.
8	To conduct and manage research projects and participate in decision making with superiors.
Skills and qualities for information management officers
1	Ability to collect, organize, store and utilize information and knowledge.
2	To have background, skills and professional in information and knowledge management.
3	Good communication and ability to work in a team and ascertain customer needs
4	Strong IT application skills
5	Strong awareness of the business/working environment, leadership skills and management experience
6	To be innovative and creative in creating new strategies to improve services and enhance the organization to attain its goals, and objectives.

Source: ‘‘Rivers of knowledge’’ by Karen Bishop, 2001