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: £38,322 - £45,000 per annum Contract type: Permanent Band: F / Senior Executive Officer Closing date: Wednesday 12th February 2025 at midnight The National Archives has one of the largest and richest archival map collections in the world, consisting of more than six million maps and plans. The post holder could potentially have existing expertise in any aspect of the map collections, but we would particularly welcome applications from applicants with expertise in one or more of the following: • Military mapping • Maps as evidence for environmental and ecological histories • Maps in the context of the British Empire and global majority histories This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. 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. How to apply: To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button on this page. You will be asked to upload your CV and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. Please note: anonymised recruitment is standard for roles across the Civil Service. However, due to the nature of this role and the information required in the selection process, please disregard any requests to anonymise your application. Job Description Job Purpose In the Collections Expertise and Engagement (CEE) department, we are passionate about using our expert knowledge of our collections to inspire audiences and make them think differently about archives. The National Archives has one of the largest and richest archival map collections in the world, consisting of more than six million maps and plans. The post holder could potentially have existing expertise in any aspect of the map collections, but we would particularly welcome applications from applicants with expertise in one or more of the following: Military mapping Maps as evidence for environmental and ecological histories Maps in the context of the British Empire and global majority histories The post holder will grow and maintain their expert knowledge of The National Archives’ maps and records related to maps, enabling them to confidently work with the full scope of these collections. They will proactively share their expertise with a wide range of audiences, including members of the public, community groups, academic researchers, and government, as well as internal audiences. The post holder will use their expert knowledge of our map collections to contribute to our public advice service, giving research advice about records onsite and online, and sharing knowledge and expertise internally and externally. Through collaboration with colleagues across the organisation they will develop and deliver our ambitious public engagement, education, and academic programmes, focusing on activities relating to the maps and mapping. They will also be expected to develop and manage cataloguing projects aimed at widening access to our map collections, potentially recruiting and training volunteers to work on such projects. The post holder will develop and undertake innovative, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research, and will have the ability and drive to make an impact within the wider community of map researchers and archivists, and related disciplines. They will be expected to contribute to, and in time to direct, the preparation of bids for external research funding. The post holder will be expected to engage with developments in digital archiving and digital humanities research methods. The Principal Map Specialist is based within the supportive Visual Collections team but is currently the only specialist in The National Archives’ extensive and complex map collections. The post holder must therefore be a self-starter with their own ideas for innovative and engaging projects, and the ability to develop and drive such projects. CEE operates a public advice service answering wide-ranging queries online and in person. For most members of the department this makes up part of their daily activity. The postholder will be given training to help them develop a general knowledge of The National Archives’ records and will use this knowledge to participate fully in the advice service. Role and Responsibilities Access to collections Share knowledge of your specialist area through the creation and delivery of innovative research guidance, talks, and training aimed at researchers, academics and staff Respond to public enquiries onsite and online through our public information services, proactively working with colleagues to develop and improve these services 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 Contribute knowledge and expertise internally as required (for example input to digitisation projects, commercial product delivery, service delivery enhancements, press events and media interviews, VIP tours, educational products) 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 supporting colleagues in the transfer of government records into our collections Engagement with collections Work with colleagues across The National Archives to develop and deliver inspiring and innovative ways for non-research audiences to experience our collections, finding new ways for the public to engage with our records. This will include projects at a range of scales including social media content, digital content, online curation, educational resources, events and exhibitions Engage with the academic and research sectors, establishing research priorities with colleagues and identifying opportunities for external funding, partnership research projects, collaborative initiatives, and managing TNA’s involvement through the end-to-end process, including supervising doctoral students as appropriate Promote The National Archives’ collections and enhance our reputation for high-quality research within the specialist area through regular contributions at academic events and to research publications, reusing these research products and outputs for public engagement where possible 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 map collections Developing knowledge and expertise Maintain and develop specialist knowledge of our records within our map and map-related collections, aiming for the ability to work confidently with the full scope of records in this area Develop skills and tools (for example specialist software, digital humanities techniques) to support work in increasing access and developing engagement Working Conditions Normal office environment Display Screen Equipment user Moving items up to 10kg in weight May come into contact with distressing material Person Specification Essential criteria: Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in one or more aspects of the map collections at The National Archives, as evidenced through qualifications or experience Demonstrable ability to develop and drive innovative and engaging projects with a creative approach to problem solving Experience of communicating research effectively to non-specialist audiences (e.g. digital content, exhibitions, public talks, outreach workshops and teaching) Active research profile and demonstrable credibility in the academic and research sectors relating to specialist field, including publications 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 Other Requirements A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site The post may require working occasional evenings and some Saturdays to support the 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. 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)