As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it’s where we go next that makes things really interesting. In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring. That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you. Job Overview Salary: £32,721.00 - £40,680.00 per annum Contract type: Permanent Band: E / HEO Closing date: Tuesday 12th November at midnight About the role The National Archives is currently recruiting a Records Specialist, in the Collections Expertise & Engagement (CEE) department, to work with records relating to diplomatic and international history. 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 (Diplomatic and International) 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 British diplomacy and international relations from 1782 to the present, in order to provide specialist support. The records of the Foreign Office and its successors 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, 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. Person specification We are looking for applicants with specialist knowledge of British diplomatic and international 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/home working will be available, and applicants will be expected to be at our Kew site for at least 60% of their working 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 please see the job description below. 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 to 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. How to apply You will be asked to upload your CV, complete a task relating to aspects of the role, and provide a personal statement which explains why you are suitable to the role based on the essential criteria in the job description. Selection process From the initial applications we will invite selected candidates to an online assessment day. From that assessment day we will make a further selection of candidates who will be invited to attend an interview onsite at The National Archives. We encourage applicants who may benefit from adaptions to the interview process, for example for disability or neurodiversity reasons. We can work with candidates to identify and implement reasonable adjustments, for example, this could relate to the assessment format or environmental factors. Job Description Role and Responsibilities Access to collections To share knowledge of your specialist area through the creation and delivery of innovative research guidance, talks, and training aimed at researchers, academics and staff; To respond to public enquiries onsite and online through our public information services, proactively working with colleagues to develop and improve them; To work on improving access to records in your specialist area through managing projects that increase the quantity and quality of our catalogue descriptions where possible securing external resources to deliver the project work; To contribute knowledge and expertise internally as required (e.g. input to digitisation projects, commercial product delivery, service delivery enhancements, press events and media interviews, VIP tours, educational products); To promote user participation in opening up the collection including supervising and managing volunteer projects, student placements and co-curation; Support government stakeholders answering their enquiries and assisting in the transfer of government records into our collections. Engagement with collections Working with colleagues across The National Archives on projects at a range of scales including social media content, digital content, online curation, educational resources, events and exhibitions; Working with colleagues to enhance our reputation for high-quality research and to engage academics and research students with our collections, through presenting at workshops and conferences, developing grant proposals, or other opportunities; To proactively find ways to engage underrepresented and non-research audiences, seeking out opportunities to understand the interests and needs of diverse communities whose heritage is reflected in our collections. Developing knowledge and expertise To maintain and develop specialist knowledge of our records within the area of diplomatic and international history. Person Specification: Essential Specialist knowledge of diplomatic or international history as evidenced through qualifications or experience; Demonstrable knowledge of the specialist collections relevant to diplomatic and international records at The National Archives; Experience of communicating research effectively to non-specialist audiences (e.g. digital content, exhibitions, public talks, outreach workshops and teaching); Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, and ability to interact well and build effective relationships and networks within the organisation and externally; Ability to handle a varied and demanding workload, to work collaboratively to deliver projects to time and budget and to manage own priorities within a supportive team environment; Commitment to own learning and professional development. Desirable Published author in records-related material and/or specialist area; The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Benefits Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum. Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ( opens in new window) Reasonable adjustments If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact The National Archives via careersnationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window) Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. (opens in new window) The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window) Contact point for applicants: Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careersnationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)