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 - £40,680 per annum Contract type: permanent Band: E / HEO Closing date: Thursday 23rd January at midnight The Copyright Adviser will be part of a small team that is responsible for providing an expert service for The National Archives (TNA). The Copyright Team supports a wide range of stakeholders, internal colleagues, government departments, publishers, libraries and the public. The post holder will share specialist knowledge of copyright law, government policy on re-use and open data, Crown copyright and its practical application through the licensing of rights. The Keeper of The National Archives holds the Crown’s copyrights and database rights. On behalf of the Keeper, the Copyright Adviser will work with cross-government stakeholders and other public sector bodies who have responsibility for managing Crown copyright within their organisations. In line with the UK Government Licensing Framework, the role involves raising awareness of licences, such as the Open Government Licence, that promote information sharing while retaining copyright. Working with the Copyright Manager, the Adviser will provide wider engagement with TNA staff and archive users to embed an understanding of copyright and the role of the team, leading to potentially more opportunities to add value from public records. Copyright is an integral part of exploiting commercial and research opportunities, and opening out and promoting The National Archive’s collection. We are therefore looking for an individual who understands the complexities of copyright in unpublished materials, the increasing diversity of media, including digital, and the impact of advances in Artificial Intelligence. They must also possess engagement skills, to enable us to focus our copyright expertise on developing these opportunities. The role requires someone who can develop and provide expertise to support the copyright service and The National Archive’s obligations. Working on complex enquiries requires good decision making, as well as the ability to organise a demanding workload. The successful candidate must be flexible, organised and motivated in their approach to meet the demands of this role. 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 provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification 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. Job Description Role and Responsibilities As an in-house expert at The National Archives, your main duties will be to: Provide a central source of expertise on copyright and Crown copyright across The National Archives. Advise colleagues in academic, public, government, corporate, archives sector and commercial-facing functions, providing specialist copyright information and advice. Manage enquiries from government departments, colleagues and service users, media and publishers, in relation to the use of Crown copyright information held by The National Archives or other bodies. Devise and deliver training, inductions and presentations for colleagues and external stakeholders. Engage with colleagues to help develop opportunities to open up collections. Review, develop and disseminate guidance on copyright and the use of The National Archives’ materials, Crown copyright and the UK Government Licensing Framework on The National Archives’ website. Working with stakeholders across-government you will: Engage with colleagues at all levels across government so that Crown copyright policy and practice is understood in relation to departmental business needs. Provide expert advice to government departments and other public sector bodies about how to use and apply the Open Government Licence. Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including the UK and Scottish Parliaments, government departments and devolved governments, drawing on the Keeper’s and Queen’s Printer responsibilities Oversee the necessity and currency of delegation documents at regular intervals. Review cases submitted by government departments for delegations of authority and assignment Escalate potential infringement issues with senior colleagues for appropriate action. Be The National Archive’s lead attendee at meetings of copyright and licensing organisations such as UK Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance and the Government Copyright Practitioners’ Group. Create and deliver clear and concise written and oral presentations for key external audiences and professional bodies. Working Conditions Normal office environment / remote working (subject to agreement) Display Screen Equipment user Person Specification Essential criteria: Knowledge of copyright, Crown copyright, and public sector information policy. Excellent problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail and consistency. A proven track record of engagement, building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders with the aim of achieving common goals. Excellent standard of communication, both written and verbal; evidence of highly developed drafting skills and ability to write persuasively, for different audiences with minimal supervision. Ability to prioritise and balance managing own workload, deadlines, alongside requirements of the public service provision as a whole Excellent analytical skills and the ability to make connections between different areas of expertise. The ability to work proactively, independently and as a team player. Desirable criteria: An understanding of other information rights areas such as data protection, information and data sharing, freedom of information and public records. Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. Other Requirements 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. 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)