Background information and Introduction
The University of Nottingham Museum relocated from the Department of Archaeology to
Nottingham Lakeside Arts (NLA) at the south entrance to the University in November 2011. Its
footfall grew from 2,250 to 12,000 in the first 12 months of its new location. The number of
engagements with the student community has continued to grow, the Archaeology Now series of
lunchtime talks regularly reaches capacity audiences, and a major new event – the Nottinghamshire
Local History Day – was successfully introduced in 2014. In 2014 the Museum was also awarded the
title Heritage Museum of the Year at Nottinghamshire Heritage Awards for the second time in
recognition of its significant achievements.
Currently the Museum/Nottingham Lakeside Arts is reaching the conclusion of its existing 3 year
plan (ending July 2015), and is finalising a 5 year plan closely aligned to the University’s 2020
Strategy. A new tram line will open in autumn 2015 and there is a fantastic opportunity to benefit
from increased and improved access to Lakeside’s entire cultural offer. Visitor numbers for NLA as a
whole across visual, performing, participatory arts, archaeology and our two cafes is approximately
200,000 per annum.
The Museum was recently awarded a 3 year Arts Council Resilience Award of £301,431 which will
enable it to make a major step change in the way it engages with audiences, and the way its
audiences engages with its collections. The Museum currently only has one full time permanent
post of Keeper, assisted by a part-time Administrator; for the last 2 years the Keeper has also
benefited from time limited Arts Council funded freelance roles of Collections Manager (3 days) and
Collections Access Officer (1 day) both due to end in July 2015. We will therefore be greatly enabled
in delivering this step change by the appointment of a Creative Learning Officer (post being
advertised in April); and the introduction of 2 freelance roles: a Collections Development Manager
and a Collections Access Officer.
This is a very exciting opportunity which the University of Nottingham – our major stakeholder warmly welcomes having expressed their clear desire and support for change. We are also going to
be working with a consultant to support our Keeper in moving forward with the Core Aim described
below.
Core Aim:
 To re-imagine the University Museum – its extensive collections of regional, national and
international significance; its interior and exterior spaces; and its access to distinctive and
diverse expertise (academic, professional services and arts) – to create innovative,
experimental, unlimited opportunities that engage and excite existing and new audiences,
and to ensure its sustainability into the future.
Applications are now sought for the freelance roles of Collections Development Manager and
Collections Access Officer in order to deliver very specific strands of this core aim.
Title:
Collections Access Officer (Freelance, Part-time)
Period of service
delivery:
Maximum of 144 days in 2015-16 (actual delivery days to be agreed with
successful contractor but to include some evenings/weekends in line with
programme delivery)
Fee:
£175 per day inclusive of expenses to be invoiced every 2 months
Key relationships:
Museum Keeper, Creative Learning Officer, Collections Development
Manager, Museum Administrator
Made possible with funding from Arts Council England’s Resilience programme, this is an exciting
new opportunity to contribute to the rei-imagining of the University Museum.
Schedule of Services (days of work to be agreed with successful candidate)
1
Lead, launch and develop the new Partnership Nottinghamshire network
Plan and deliver a major Network sharing event in June 2016
Establish and maintain strong relationships with regional local history, archaeology and special
interest groups
Set up thematically focused sharing days using collections
Encourage, enable and monitor appropriate off-site loans of museum collections
2
Plan, develop, and deliver a new programme of collections engagement to reach diverse
audiences
Design and deliver a wide-ranging engagement programme including supporting activities for public
engagement programme, and activities in non-museum spaces
3
Recruit, train and develop a team of volunteers (including general public, special interest,
community groups and students
Promote and supervise volunteering activities within collections care and management, related
archives and museum skills
Encourage and support trained volunteers to share their knowledge of the collections and
collections care across a diverse range of individuals and groups
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
 Archaeology degree or equivalent experience working with an archaeology collection
 Knowledge of archaeology and in particular artefacts
 Significant experience of collections care of archaeological collections (individual artefacts
and bulk archaeological material)
 Demonstrable experience of working with, training and support of volunteers
 Demonstrable knowledge and experience of collections database
 Demonstrable knowledge of Museum collections management systems and procedures to
accreditation standards
 Demonstrable knowledge of museum documentation and storage practices
 Knowledge and understanding of environmental management
 Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to relate to people at all levels
 Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation and report writing
skills
 Ability to contribute effectively to a small team
 Computer literate (word/outlook/email)
 Excellent time management skills
 Ability to respond to requests for information/materials in a timely manner
 Experience of working effectively with diverse groups
 Proven experience of the management of archaeological collections
 Experience of working to tight deadlines
Statutory/Legal Requirements
 DBS Accreditation or willingness to be checked
 Knowledge of relevant legal requirements (Child Protection/Health & Safety etc)
Application Procedure:
Submit completed application form demonstrating how your skills/experience match the essential
qualifications, skills and experience. Provide a minimum of two work related referees, and return
for the attention of Clare Pickersgill, Keeper, no later than 4 June 2015.
Interviews will be conducted on 1 July 2015 and shortlisted applicants will be informed one week in
advance of the interview date.