Job description
Job Title:
Assistant Archivist
Location:
Black Cultural Archives, 1 Othello Close, London, SE11 4RE
Salary:
£23,000 pa pro rata
Duration:
Temporary contract to run till the end of April 2010
Reports to:
Collections Manager
Overview
BCA is a community archive, established in 1981 to collect, preserve and promote understanding
of Black cultural heritage. BCA’s collections span several centuries and include a wide variety of
material, including plantation records, personal papers, rare books, press cuttings, photographs,
sculptures and other artefacts, reflecting the history of the African diaspora and the presence of
Black people in Britain. BCA was recently awarded £4m by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the
establishment of a new centre for Black cultural heritage in Brixton, to open in 2011.
An experienced Assistant Archivist is sought as part of BCA’s Documenting The Archives project,
funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Assistant Archivist will support the Collections Manager
in delivering a full collections management programme. The Assistant Archivist will participate in
the acquisition and cataloguing of new collections, providing public access to the collections,
supervision and training of volunteers, delivering tours of the collections and assisting in the
production of exhibitions and other promotional events.
You will be joining a small, friendly and diverse team dedicated to endowing an established,
grassroots community organisation with the skills and facilities of a professional archive and
education centre.
Duties
The postholder will be responsible for

Cataloguing existing and incoming archive collections using Axiell CALM to ISAD(G)
standard

Sorting, listing and repackaging the collection using preservation materials

Archive appraisal, including selecting items for disposal and conservation

Working to improve the physical conditions of storage of the archive within BCA’s current
temporary accommodation

Digitising items from the collection for public access or promotional use

Training volunteers or interns in basic archive tasks including description, repackaging,
digitisation

Supervising the work of volunteers

Responding to user enquiries about the collection and the work of BCA (via email, phone
and in person)

Contributing to the delivery of public access to the collections (booking appointments,
supervision of readers and production of documents)

Delivering tours of the collections to stakeholders or groups on arranged visits

Contributing to the production and delivery of BCA exhibitions and events

Contributing to the development and management of the library

Contributing to the preservation and management of the museum collection

Contributing to the production of online resources and user guides for BCA's collections

Any other tasks as reasonably required by the Collections Manager and Director of BCA
Person specification
Essential
Qualifications
Desirable
Educated to degree level
Postgraduate qualification in
Archives Management
Experience
At least 1 year’s cataloguing
experience using recognised
standards
At least 2 years experience of
working in a cultural heritage
organisation
Familiarity with basic
preservation issues, techniques
and skills
Working with, training and/or
supervising volunteers
Essential
Desirable
Scanning and basic image
manipulation
Experience of working with or
at a community archive or
heritage initiative
Skills/abilities
Excellent IT skills, including
proficiency with MS Office,
image editing software and
professional archive catalogue
databases
Flexibility, independence and
initiative
Willingness to undertake a
variety of duties including some
not directly related to the
management of archive
collections
Excellent organisational and
communication skills
Ability to meet deadlines
Interest in Black cultural
heritage
Interest in community archives
Terms and conditions
The post is available on a PAYE basis at a salary of £23,000 pa pro rata paid monthly in arrears,
from the date the successful candidate is available to start, till the 30th April 2010. 25 days paid
annual leave are offered pro rata, in addition to bank holidays, plus 3 days between Christmas
and New Year.
BCA is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified
individuals regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
How to apply
Please complete BOTH the Application and Equal Opportunities forms and submit them to Jessica
Womack via email to jessica@bcaheritage.org.uk or by post to the address below.
Ensure that your personal statement addresses each of the criteria given in the Person
Specification individually, using bullet points or headings. You must give at least one clear
example showing how your experience demonstrates that you meet each of the criteria in the
Person Specification.
The closing date for applications is Friday 20th November 2009 at 9am.
For information about the post contact Jessica Womack, Collections Manager
(jessica@bcaheritage.org.uk), or by phone at the number below.
We regret that we are unable to reply to those not selected for interview. If you have not heard
from us by two weeks after the closing date you should assume that your application has been
unsuccessful.
Contact details
Phone:
Address:
020 7582 8516
Black Cultural Archives
1 Othello Close
Kennington
London
SE11 4RE