Family and Institutional Archives Advice Manager. National Archives UK. Open until the 15th March 2010

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title Family and Institutional Archives Advice Manager Department Archives Sector Development
Reports to Senior Manager – Private Archives
Band F Salary £30,500 - £35,000* + excellent benefits * More may be available for an exceptional candidate

Job purpose
Under the direction of the Senior Manager – Private Archives, to manage the provision of advice to individuals, families and private institutions about the preservation, management and public accessibility of archives in their custody; and to maintain close liaison with such owners and their professional and voluntary archivists. You will also have responsibility for liaison with archive repositories and public bodies in one region or home nation in the UK and/or a specialist professional field. The post will involve representation in support of the strategic agenda and engagement with archivists, private owners and managers of institutions in the private sector, and with officials in other Government departments and agencies. Role and responsibilities
Departmental Objectives: To establish sector leadership across all publicly-funded archive services To meet the statutory obligations delegated to the Head of Department under s.3(6) and s.4 of the Public Records Act 1958 and to deliver the functions specified under the Royal Warrant of the Historical Manuscripts Commission To improve the “archival health of the nation” by giving leadership, advice, guidance and support to archives services and the owners and custodians of private records in the care and provision of access to their holdings, and by working to ensure the preservation and integrity of archives and records, especially where they are at risk To promote best practice in information and records management across the wider public sector through assessment, guidance and targeted advice To develop, maintain and make available to the public detailed information about the location and content of archives and manuscripts relating to the United Kingdom through the National Register of Archives, Manorial Documents Register and other online databases.
In this role you will:
Act as a focus of knowledge about the private archives sector, and especially about the collections of national and international importance in the ownership of the great landowning families and charitable corporations of the United Kingdom. You will be expected to have an understanding of the historical processes which have led to the development of such archives, and a sensitivity to the privacy and other concerns of such owners, and to frame The National Archives’ advice and guidance in that context. You will also be expected to develop a detailed knowledge of the location and content of major private archives, including both those held in public repositories and those remaining in private hands.
Support the Senior Manager – Private Archives in advising on the disposition of archives and manuscripts accepted in lieu of taxation, and with the provision of advice to HM Revenue and Customs on the conditional exemption of archives from capital taxes. You will also provide authoritative advice to the Chief Executive, the Head of National Advisory Services, other Government departments, private owners and archivists as required on matters relating to archives in private and institutional ownership.
Manage the provision of advice and guidance and practical assistance to private and institutional owners on the selection, preservation and accessibility of archives which they wish to retain in private custody, or on their deposit in appropriate public institutions. Insofar as circumstances permit, you will be expected to proactively maintain contact with the owners of major archives to ensure that their awareness of the significance of, and public interest in, their holdings is maintained, and that The National Archives builds its awareness of collections at risk of neglect, sale or dispersal.
Proactively seek out and record archives of significance in private custody through targeted contacts and survey work. You will co-operate with colleagues across the department to ensure that information about collections of private archives is recorded in the National Register of Archives, building the comprehensiveness of the Register and its usefulness in providing an overview of the distributed national archive.
Represent The National Archives in meetings with the owners and custodians of archives (including the senior management of local authorities and universities), professional organisations, and other Government departments and will act as an advocate for the adoption of best practice specifically in the delivery of archival services and generally in the adoption of effective records and information management.
Participate in cross-cutting work across the department and with other departments and external bodies in support of these core activities. This cross-cutting work will include both giving and receiving support to manage workload at peak times.
The post will have responsibility for liaison with archive repositories and public bodies in one region or home nation in the UK, and will contribute to other aspects of the work of the department especially in relation to that region/nation.
Finally, you may play a role within the management structure of the Archives Sector Development Department, with such line management responsibilities as may be assigned to the role from time to time. Initially, you will have line management responsibility for the Band E post responsible for the Manorial Documents Register and associated work. You will support the Head of Archives Sector Development on the broad departmental goal of improving the archival and information management health of the nation.

Person specification
Key: Demonstrate commitment to the preservation and effective management of archives and the ability to articulate the value of archives and information
management in the private sector Strong research and analytical skills, experience of records survey activity and a commitment to self development Excellent knowledge of the record types generated by the administration of landed estates and adequate palaeography and language skills to cope with diverse and technically complex materials Experience of working in or advising the private and public sectors and an expert knowledge of the archive sector Ability to think strategically and tactically, including the ability to engage and influence private owners effectively Strong written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to produce and deliver first class reports and presentations Good ICT, organisational and project management skills and the ability to travel anywhere in the UK
Desirable:
Qualification or experience in archive administration Active research interests in archival and information science or other relevant fields, contributing to The National Archives’ reputation for research Knowledge of medieval Latin and associated palaeographical skills Health and Safety Risk Assessment Normal office environment, except when conducting surveys on private premises, when the postholder will be responsible for conducting site-specific risk assessments.
Location Kew, West London Working arrangement Full time, Permanent Starting Salary £30,500 - £35,000* plus generous benefits package, including pension, childcare vouchers, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, subsidised staff restaurant and opportunities for training and development. * More may be available for an exceptional candidate How to Apply Please complete an applicant details form and email it along with a comprehensive CV and a Supporting Statement that fully addresses the job requirements in the person specification, to careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk Please quote reference number 1405 in the subject line. Supporting Statement Please explain how you meet each point on the person specification. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. Please put your name and post applied for on each sheet. For further information Please contact the Recruitment Team on 020 8392 5203 Nationality rules Applicants must be British or Commonwealth citizens with the right to live and work in the UK, or nationals of states of the European Union. Closing date Monday 15th March 2010 at midday Interviews Tuesday 23rd March 2010

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/family-and-institutional-archives-advice-manager-jd.pdf