Thank you for requesting an application pack for the post of:
Project Curator – ‘Collecting the Troubles and Beyond’ (Full Time, 3-year fixed term
contract) based at National Museums Northern Ireland, Corporate Headquarters.
Ref: PCUFTM1115
Please find enclosed:




Application Form
Job description and Personnel Specification
Monitoring questionnaire
General terms and conditions
PLEASE DO NOT DETACH ANY PAGES FROM THE APPLICATION FORM. INCOMPLETE
APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
SHORTLISTING WILL BE BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON PART B OF THE
APPLICATION FORM.
Please return your completed application form to:
The Human Resources Department
National Museums Northern Ireland
153 Bangor Road
Cultra
Holywood
BT18 0EU
Please return the Monitoring Questionnaire in the enclosed addressed envelope.
Alternatively completed application and monitoring forms can be returned by email to hr@nmni.com
The closing date for return of applications is 4.00pm on Wednesday 25 November 2015.
Applications received after the closing time and date will not be considered.
Application Form for Project Curator – ‘Collecting the Troubles & Beyond –
Ref: PCUFTM1115
Please complete this form accurately and in as much detail as possible, using typescript or BLACK INK.
Applications for this post will only be accepted on this form and CVs will not be accepted. Please note that the
closing date for the return of completed application forms is 4.00pm on Wednesday 25th November 2015.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Surname
Forenames
Title
Address
Postcode
Email address
Telephone Numbers
Home
Do you require a work permit to work in the UK?
Work
Mobile
Yes / No
If yes, please provide details
Do you require any adjustments to take part in our selection process effectively?
Yes / No
If yes, please provide details
Please indicate any dates you will not be available for interview
ACADEMIC OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS (Documentary Evidence will be required from the successful candidate)
School, college, university etc.
Qualifications and date obtained
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL BODIES
Name of Association or body
Status and date of membership
PRESENT/MOST RECENT POSITION
Employer’s Name
Address
Job Title
Date of appointment
Current or final salary
Notice required
Earliest available start date
Reason for leaving or seeking other employment
Brief outline of your duties/responsibilities (please continue on a separate sheet if necessary)
OTHER PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT (List previous employment starting with the most recent)
From
To
Employer’s name
and address
Job title and main duties
Reason for leaving
and final salary
PART B OF APPLICATION FORM
Please explain in as much detail as possible how you feel you meet each of the criteria outlined in the
job description. It is important that you demonstrate how you satisfy the full requirements of the post as the
Museum will interview only those candidates who appear from the information provided to have the best
knowledge, skills and experience associated with the duties of the post. Please use an additional sheet if required.
Please note that in the event of a large number of applications, that the desirable criteria will be used as part of
the shortlisting process.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
1
Must have a primary degree in the subject area of modern history or a related subject area such
as politics, geography or social anthropology
Experience
And a minimum of 2 years’ experience as a member of a curatorial team within a museum or other
organisation working with modern history collections
Or in the absence of the above qualification, a minimum of 4 years’ experience as a member of a
curatorial team within a museum or other organisation working with modern history collections.
.
2. Please outline your demonstrable commitment to making museums, collections and collections knowledge
accessible to the widest audiences.
3
Please outline your experience of implementing collections policies and operational procedures.
4. Please outline your knowledge of current issues relating to museum collections and their interpretation and
use for public benefit.
5. Please outline your experience of staging exhibitions and exploiting collections for public engagement.
6. Please outline a record of publications of particular relevance to modern/contemporary history.
7. Please outline your awareness of standards and practices in collections management and collections care.
8. Must have access to an appropriate form of transport to enable the fulfilment of the post-holder’s duties.
Skills
9. Please demonstrate your ability to work within programme-based budgets, when required, and operate
within strict financial control procedures.
10. Please outline a demonstrable team-based approach to working and well-developed interpersonal skills.
11. Please outline your experience of using Microsoft Office with a working knowledge of Outlook, Word, and
preferably Excel.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
12. A postgraduate qualification in a discipline relevant to the subjects of modern history and /or heritage e.g. a
higher degree, museum studies, heritage management.
13. Membership of a relevant professional body or scholarly institute or association.
14. Experience of managing staff, or volunteers, interns or researchers.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please give details of any interests or activities outside work or any other information, which you consider relevant
to your application.
REFERENCES
Please give the names and addresses of two people who are able to provide references relating to your work
experience and suitability for the post for which you are applying. At least one referee should be a previous
employer and if possible you’re present or most recent employer.
For certain posts references may be taken up prior to interview. Your current employer will only be contacted after
interviews have taken place.
Name
Name
Address
Address
Tel. No.
Tel. No.
email
email
Position
Position
HEALTH
Please note that if you are under consideration for appointment you will be required to complete a Health
Declaration Form and may have to attend a medical examination.
CRIMINAL RECORD
Please note that if you are under consideration for appointment you will be required to complete a Criminal
Convictions Declaration Form.
Declaration
I hereby certify that all the information given by me on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge, that all
the questions relating to me have been accurately and fully answered.
A candidate found to have knowingly given false information or to have wilfully suppressed any material fact will
be liable for disqualification or, if appointed, to dismissal.
Signature
Date
National Museums Northern Ireland is committed to equal opportunity in employment. All applications for employment are
considered strictly on the basis of merit.
MONITORING QUESTIONNAIRE
Post
Project Curator – ‘Collecting the
Troubles and Beyond’
Reference
PCUFTM1115/
National Museums Northern Ireland is committed to equality of opportunity as reflected in our
Equal Opportunities Policy and Equality Scheme. Monitoring is an essential step in this
process. We would therefore ask you to complete this form.
1a
Date of Birth
2
Gender
3
Marital Status
4
5
Ethnic Origin
Disability
1b
National Insurance Number
Male

Female

Single

Married

Widowed

Separated

White
Indian
Divorced

Pakistani
Black African

Black Caribbean

Black Other

Irish Traveller

Mixed Ethnic Group

Bangladeshi

Chinese

Other, please specify
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 defines a disabled person as someone with
a physical or mental impairment which has a substantive and long-term adverse
effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Having read this definition do you consider that you are a disabled person or that
you have a disability?
Yes

No

If you have answered ‘Yes’ to the above question please tick the appropriate
boxes below to indicate the nature of your disability (tick as many as apply to
you):
Visual
Impairment
Mental
Health
Difficulty
Reduced
Physical
Capacity
Other, please specify

Hearing Impairment

Mobility Impairment


Speech Impairment


Learning Disability
Physical
Co-ordination
Difficulties
Severe
Disfigurement



6
Community
Background
We are required to monitor the community background of applicants and
employees, as stipulated by the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order
1998.
Regardless of whether we practice religion, most of us in Northern Ireland are
seen as either Roman Catholic or Protestant. We therefore ask you to indicate
your community background below. If you do not complete this section we are
encouraged to use the ‘residuary method’ of monitoring, which means that we
can make a determination on the basis of personal information on file or your
application form.
Protestant
Community
7
Religious
Belief

Roman Catholic
Community

Neither

We monitor the Religious Belief of applicants and employees. We recognise that
there may be occasions where Religious Belief differs to perceived Community
Background, especially where the residuary method has been used to make a
determination.
In order to ensure that our records are correct, please indicate your Religious
Belief by ticking one box below.
8
Dependants
Christian

Muslim

Hindu

Sikh

Jewish

Buddhist

None

Other, please specify
We understand persons with dependants to be those with personal responsibility
for the care of a child, the care of a person with an incapacitating disability
and/or the care of a dependant elderly person.
Do you have dependants?
Yes
9
Age
No


We monitor the age group of applicants and employees, in line with the
Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (NI) 2006.
We therefore ask you to indicate your age grouping by ticking the appropriate
box below.
10
16 – 29

30 – 44

45 – 59
60 - 69

70 – 74

75 +

How did you
hear about
this vacancy?
The above information will be used for Equal Opportunities Monitoring only.
The questionnaire will be kept separate from the application form and the selection panel will
not have access to it.
Thank you for your co-operation in completing this questionnaire.
JOB DESCRIPTION
__________________________________________________________
Job Title:
Project Curator ‘Collecting the Troubles and Beyond’
Heritage Lottery Fund, Collecting Cultures Programme
Full time, three year post.
Grade: Curator E
Salary Scale: £28,500 - £31,135
Department: Collections & Interpretation
Location: Corporate HQ, Cultra
Responsible to: Head of Human History
Responsible for: n/a
Organisational background:
National Museums Northern Ireland is an ambitious organisation delivering
award-winning museum services to more than 800,000 visitors annually. Our
mission is to connect our collections, knowledge and public spaces with the widest
possible audience, to inform and inspire their understanding of the past, the
present and the future of people, culture, places, and of the natural environment
here and worldwide.
National Museums Northern Ireland operates within the context of DCAL’S
Corporate Strategy 2011-15 outlines a vision of, a confident, creative, informed
and healthy society and a mission, to deliver economic growth and to enhance
the quality of life in Northern Ireland by unlocking the full potential of the culture,
arts and leisure sectors.
DCAL’s key objectives for 2015-2016 are:
1. To promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion
2. To contribute to the growth of the economy and building a united community
The post-holder will also work within the context of National Museums’ Draft
Corporate Strategy 2015-19 and the priorities set out in our annual Business
Plan. In addition, National Museums’ has also recently developed a number of
key policies in connection with Museum Accreditation. The policies are:

Collections Development Policy

Collections Information and Access Policy

Collections Care and Conservation Policy
As part of the Accreditation process we also developed:

Environmental Sustainability Policy Statement
The post-holder will be expected to perform their role with a developed
understanding of this organisational context and the contribution that they can
make to its delivery.
Overall purpose of job:
This Heritage Lottery Fund Collecting Cultures project will focus on contemporary
collecting and an associated programme of activities relating to Northern Ireland's
recent past. The project is entitled 'Collecting the Troubles and Beyond' and
covers the period from the 1960s to the present day. As well as material relating
directly to politics and conflict, collecting activity will extend into wider themes of
society and culture - encompassing topics such as music, sport, media and
politics – thereby enabling more nuanced and inclusive engagement with this
complex period of history. It also enables collecting on the theme of 'post-conflict'
Northern Ireland, allowing exploration of continuity and change within Northern
Irish society.
This project sits within an important strategic context for National Museums
Northern Ireland. Contemporary history and contemporary collecting are now
defined as important priorities as we seek to enhance our interpretation of our
recent past.
The post-holder will play a central role in the development and management of
this project, ensuring a user-focused approach to collections-based activities in
support of the agreed aims, objectives and outputs.
The on-going
development
of our existing Troubles gallery through
the
introduction of new collection-based content will be vital part of this project. This
will involve curating specimen material, supported by new text and AV
presentations.
To support this, he/she will participate in research, collecting and engagement
programmes relating to the scope of contemporary history with which this project
is concerned. The post holder will lead on collecting activity and the delivery of
the complementary Activity Plan. This will involve the organisation of collecting
workshops, academic seminars and other events designed to explore the
historical and cultural context of the Troubles, within a framework of museological
theory and practice. This has the aim of ensuring that Collecting the Troubles and
Beyond enhances understanding, awareness and debate around our recent
history. More generally, the project overall should enhance the organisation’s
academic reputation, raising awareness and understanding of the collection and
contribute to greater access to, and appreciation, of the collection and collections
knowledge.
The project also involves working with the Museum’s existing collection inform
new collecting activity and an integrated approach to exhibition development.
Doing this all of this effectively will require a highly developed understanding of
modern
curatorship,
interpretive
planning
and
delivery
mechanisms.
Documentation and digitisation will be fundamental to the development process.
An important feature of this project will be fieldwork and developing a network of
relationships with a diverse range of individuals within the wider community. This
will require sensitivity to issues associated with the Troubles and fostering trust
with the Museum. The project will also involve developing a range of partnership
collaborations
with
community
groups
and
other
organisations,
including
universities. These relationships will be structured, in part, around an Academic
Advisory Group and Community Collecting Panel. The latter will be comprised of
an evolving group of 6-8 community representatives who can contribute to
discussions
around
inclusivity.
Priority
in
that
context
will
be
given
representatives that help address Section 75 considerations around equality.
to
The post-holder will be expected to work closely with colleagues across all
collections departments and functional areas.
Key Responsibilities:
Collections Access, Development and Information
1. To work with and support the Head of Human History in the development and
management of the contemporary history collection, ensuring the delivery
of programmes consistent with, and in support of, the overall strategy and
objectives of National Museums Northern Ireland and the Heritage Lottery
Fund.
2. To develop a good general knowledge of the contemporary history collection
and achieve specialist knowledge within the scope of the defined collecting
areas.
3. To document the contemporary history collection, contribute to the digitisation
programme and ensure a web presence regarding the collection; to answer
all enquiries relating to the collection, from academics, researchers at all
levels, and the general public.
4. To
develop
and
contribute
to
collection-based
and
audience-focused
programmes of exhibitions, lectures, loans, events and other activities
within the curatorial area and bring forward proposals for such activity
within the Department of Human History.
5. To work with the Head of Human History to develop cross-directorate and
cross-site approaches to the interpretation of the contemporary history
collection
which
will
enhance
visitor
understanding,
awareness
and
enjoyment and to co-ordinate the implementation of this activity within
their area of responsibility.
6. To develop the contemporary history collection in consultation with the Head
of Human History and within agreed Museum policies on acquisition and
disposal, collection development, the documentation plan and web strategy.
Identifying and progress priority areas for collecting and disposal based on
clear intellectual and cultural criteria, in support of research and public
programmes, and in line with all relevant ethical codes and legal
requirements.
7. To work in conjunction with colleagues within the Directorate of Collections
and Interpretation in relation to collections care and management to ensure
best practice in this area with regard to the contemporary history collection.
8. To represent National Museums Northern Ireland externally, contributing to
the development of appropriate partnerships with the museums, libraries
and archives sectors and the wider academic community nationally and
internationally to promote the archaeology collection among as wide a
range of users and potential users as possible through all appropriate
means.
Strategy/Policy
9. To contribute to the formulation and implementation of organisational policies
and strategies; develop plans which contribute to the implementation of these
policies and policies; and, contribute to any review and evaluation of same.
Resources
10. To develop business cases for particular projects concerning this project in
line with Directorate objectives and report on activities and progress within
corporate reporting frameworks.
11. To advise the Head of Human History, when required, on the appropriate use
of project-based programme budgets in relation to the contemporary history
collection ensuring that quality and schedule commitments are met.
To be
responsible for the procurement and purchasing of items/services relating to
agreed facets of work of the archaeology collection and operate within welldefined financial control procedures.
People
12. To manage staff and/or supervise volunteers and researchers, and to
motivate and develop all those working on the contemporary history collection
in line with the objectives of National Museums Northern Ireland.
13. To demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development both
for the benefit of the postholder and the mentoring of others.
14. To ensure that staff and non-staff working on the contemporary history
collection comply with all relevant health and safety and security legislation
and procedures.
15. To exercise good interpersonal skills and, when required, function in a
project/programme team member/management role within the Department of
Human History and/or in cross-directorate frameworks.
16. To be responsible, either personally or through formal delegation, for other
duties as appropriate which may be set by the Head of Human History.
Person Specification
Criteria
Evidenced by
Essential Shortlisting Criteria
Knowledge
A primary degree in the subject area of modern history or a
related subject area such as politics, geography or social
Certificate of
Qualification
anthropology
Experience
A minimum of 2 years’ experience as a member of a curatorial
team within a museum or other organisation working with
Application
form
modern history collections
OR, in the absence of a relevant degree:
A minimum of 4 years’ experience as a member of a curatorial
team within a museum or other organisation working with
Application
form
modern history collections
A demonstrable commitment to making museums, collections
and collections knowledge accessible to the widest audiences.
Experience
of
implementing
collections
policies
and
operational procedures.
Knowledge of current issues relating to museum collections
and their interpretation and use for public benefit.
Experience of staging exhibitions and exploiting collections for
Application
form/interview
Application
form/interview
Application
form/interview
Application
form/interview
public engagement.
Application
A
record
of
publications
of
particular
relevance
to
form/interview
and
practices
in
collections
Application
form/interview
modern/contemporary history.
Awareness
of
standards
management and collections care.
Access to an appropriate form of transport to enable the
fulfilment of the post-holder’s duties
Application
form/interview
Skills
Ability to work within programme-based budgets, when
required,
and
operate
within
strict
financial
control
procedures.
Application
form/interview
Application
form/interview
A demonstrable team-based approach to working and welldeveloped interpersonal skills.
Experience of using Microsoft Office with a working knowledge
Application
form/interview
of Outlook, Word, and preferably Excel.
Additional Shortlisting Criteria
Knowledge
A postgraduate qualification in a discipline relevant to the
subjects of modern history and /or heritage e.g. a higher
Application
form/interview
degree, museum studies, heritage management.
Membership of a relevant professional body or scholarly
institute or association
Experience of managing staff, or volunteers, interns or
researchers
Application
form/interview
Application
form/interview
General terms and conditions of employment
Project Curator - ‘Collecting the Troubles and Beyond’
The National Museums Northern Ireland was established by The Museums (Northern Ireland)
Order 1998 and comprises the constituent parts of the Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk and
Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park.
This is an indication of the conditions of appointment and is not intended to be exhaustive. A
full list of details is provided within all staff contracts of employment.
Contractual Terms
Hours and Attendance - This is a full-time, 3 year fixed term post and the successful
candidate will be expected to work 37 hours per week.
This post is based at National Museums Northern Ireland, Corporate Headquarters.
Salary - The post is graded on the Curator Grade E salary scale currently £28,500 - £31,135
per annum.
Appointment - This temporary appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of enquiries
into health, character and criminal vetting procedures.
Fitness for Work- All applicants are required to be fit for the complete range of duties as
outlined and will be required to complete a Health Declaration Form.
Financial Benefits
Pension - The NICS offers all new employees an attractive pension package. Further details
can be found on the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme (Northern Ireland) website at:
http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/civilservicepensions-ni/index/new-members.htm
Or,
If you are unable to access the website please contact Civil Service Pensions as follows:
Civil Service Pensions
Waterside House
75 Duke Street
Londonderry
BT47 6FP
Tel: 02871 319000
Email: cspensions.cpg@dfpni.gov.uk
Leave Entitlements
Annual Leave - In addition to 12 public holidays, annual leave entitlement will be 25 days
rising to 30 days after five years’ service.
Other
Learning and Development – National Museums promotes learning and development
opportunities within the organisation and provides opportunities for sabbaticals, secondments
and training.
Parking/Canteen – Free parking is provided for staff as are discounted canteen rates.