Ellen Ndeshi Namhila is currently the Pro-Vice Chancellor: University of Namibia. She previously held the position of University Librarian (2007-2015); Director of Namibia Library and Archives Service in the Ministry of Education (1999-2007); Deputy Director: Research, Information & Library Services at the Namibian Parliament (1995-1999) and Researcher and Librarian at the Social Sciences Division of the University of Namibia (1993-1995). Ellen was Vice President of the UNESCO International Advisory Committee on Memory of the World 2007-2009); Chairperson of the National Heritage Council of Namibia (2005-2010);
She is IFLA Governing Board member for the term 2013-2017; Executive Committee of Namibia National Commission for UNESCO; Chairperson of Namibia Library and Information Council.
Ellen is the author of four monographs: The Price of Freedom (1997) winner of the 1998 Mbapira award; Kahumba Kandola Man and Myth: the Biography of a Barefoot Soldier (2005); Tears of Courage: Five Mothers Five Stories One Victory (2009); Mukwahepo: Woman Soldier, Mother (2013); and published several articles about librarianship.
Ellen is a receiver of the 2014, Most Distinguished Order of Namibia: Fourth Class by His Excellency, President of the Republic of Namibia.