Records Specialist Empire and Commonwealth

Job Overview

Closing date: Sunday 31st July 2024 at midnight

The National Archives is currently recruiting a Records Specialist, Collections Expertise & Engagement (CEE) department, to work with records relating to the history of the British Empire and Commonwealth.  

What you’ll be doing 

The National Archives is a non-ministerial government department, home to over 1,000 years of documents. In CEE we are passionate about using our expert knowledge of those collections to inspire audiences and make them think differently about archives. The Records Specialist (Empire and Commonwealth) will be part of the CEE team that supports a diverse audience of public, students, academics and the wider archive and government sector to use the records at The National Archives. You will develop a general knowledge of the National Archives’ records and use this knowledge to respond to public enquiries in our day-to-day advisory service, onsite and online. Additionally, you will develop a deep knowledge of records at The National Archives related to the British Empire and Commonwealth from 1782 to the present, in order to provide specialist support.  

The records of the British Empire and Commonwealth at The National Archives are one of the world’s most important and challenging archives for global history and have a vital role to play in inclusive, productive conversations about the British colonial past and shared heritage, both within the UK and overseas. You will be passionate about those possibilities. You’ll work innovatively and collaboratively to explore the collections and find ways to surface diverse voices and histories in line with The National Archives’ values, and its ambitions to be Inclusive, Entrepreneurial and Disruptive. You will build specialist knowledge of these collections in order to advise both community and academic researchers and to collaborate with colleagues across The National Archives on a variety of types of project, for example with those who work with schools, with government departments, on research development, or on our events and exhibitions programme. 

Why work for us 

In this role you will experience both challenge and variety, from dealing with queries in the reading room, to developing cataloguing projects, to opportunities to extend networks in the heritage sector in the UK and overseas. You will take on responsibilities within the team of specialists ‘Overseas and Defence’, and within the department, whilst having scope for pursuing individual projects and professional development centred on access to and understanding of our collections.  

You will be supported in extend your skills in managing collaborative projects, to develop networks among communities of interest and researchers in the UK and overseas, and in seeking grant funding to further these activities.  

TNA boasts a collegial working environment and the excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, wellbeing resources and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme. 

Person specification 

We are looking for applicants with specialist knowledge of British colonial/post-colonial history gained in either academic or professional contexts, and experience of using or working with relevant historical collections. You will need to be able to engage in discussions on challenging historical topics sensitively and imaginatively, as well as communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.  

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

The post may require working some evenings and some Saturdays to support public service and engagement activities. Time off will be arranged in compensation for these contributions.

Must be prepared to travel to other Government departments as required. 

For full details and to apply please click on the 'Apply' button above.