Position at the National Archives

Head of Conservation
Preservation department
The National Archives
mid band 2 (UKP32,926 - UKP38,108pa)

The National Archives (TNA) <URL:http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk>
was launched in April 2003, and brings together two existing
organisations, the Public Record Office and the Historical
Manuscripts Commission.  The National Archives is the National
Archive of the United Kingdom, in particular England and Wales, and
is a leading source of archival research material. It has one of the
largest archival collections in the world, spanning 1000 years of
British history, from the Domesday Book to government papers
recently released to the public.

As part of an on-going programme of development within the newly
renamed Department of Collections Care, The National Archives is
seeking to appoint a highly experienced and motivated Head of
Conservation to guide and manage the conservation studio as part of
the TNA's responsibility in fulfilling all preservation aspects of
its statutory duties.

Following two recent key appointments of Head of Preventive
Programmes and Head of Conservation Research, the postholder will be
part of a senior management team reporting to the Head of
Collections Care. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to help
build a conservation department to serve the future direction of The
National Archives.

The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of either
book or paper conservation and a proven record of managing and
motivating staff through team building and problem solving. The Head
of Conservation will be expected to coordinate work within annual
work targets and to develop the Conservation section in line with
the strategic aims of The National Archives.

The key objectives of the post will be to:

    *   Develop a dynamic, highly skilled and professional
        conservation staff

    *   Develop and coordinate professional education and training

    *   Provide conservation advice to our internal and external
        stakeholders

    *   Manage the conservation department in order to achieve
        departmental business objectives

    *   Continue the review of conservation treatments on the main
        holdings of TNA i.e. parchment, paper, books, maps, seals
        and photographs.

    *   Exercise a personal leadership role by actively contributing
        to professional conservation

Specific responsibilities will include:

    *   Managing the daily operations of the conservation studio,
        including the management and coordination of work to achieve
        annual work targets.

    *   Develop an ethos of high professional standards within the
        conservation studio.

    *   Encouraging the sharing of technical knowledge, skills
        (including analytical) and personal development.

    *   Active involvement at a senior level in national
        professional conservation bodies together with contributions
        to relevant professional publications and events.

Person Specification: Essential:

    *   An professional qualification in book or paper conservation
        and/or a minimum of ten years conservation experience

    *   A proven track record of at least four years management or
        the equivalent project management skills and experience

    *   Personable and pragmatic with a proven competence in
        managing staff and managing change in a large organisation.

    *   An extensive knowledge of conservation theory and current
        practice.

    *   Excellent management skills including organisational,
        administrative interpersonal and communication skills.

    *   Membership of a professional body.

    *   Advanced use of MS Office products i.e. Word, Excel, etc as
        well as MS Outlook and the Internet.

Desirable:

    *    Professional accreditation (PACR)

This is a full-time permanent post.  Part-time and job share
applications will be considered.

This vacancy is being advertised externally.  Applicants must be
British or Commonwealth citizens, with the right to work in the UK,
or nationals of states of the European Union.

To apply, please call TMP on 020-7649-6003 for an application pack
(Minicom +44 20 7406 5790) quoting job reference number 42712.
Applications should be returned to TMP at the address given in the
application pack.

Full details are attached.  For further information, please contact

    Mario Aleppo
    +44 208 392 5263
    mario.aleppo<-a t->nationalarchives< . >gov< . >uk

The closing date for applications is Thursday 30th June. The
recruitment line closes 28 June 2005.

Mario Aleppo
Head of Collection Care
The National Archives
+44 20 8392 5263
Fax: +44 20 8487 9201

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:56
                  Distributed: Saturday, June 4, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-56-053
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