University of Stirling

Project Archivist

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Post Details

Full time (Flexible working hours will be considered)
Fixed term for 12 weeks

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 05 June 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 21 June 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2452.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Established in 1983 the University of Stirling’s Institute for Retail Studies (IRS) provides a focus for the study of the retail industry. It has documented, preserved and examined the history and development of the retail sector from the early twentieth century through to the present day, both in the UK and internationally. Its staff conduct research on behalf of retail and distributive companies, local and national governments, public sector bodies and research councils.

The IRS Archive consists of a wealth of material created and collected by staff of the Institute. The collections provide a unique record of the growth and development of the retail sector, while the research papers and reports produced by the institute comprise an unrivaled academic library of the study of the business of retail. Material covers the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and includes: administrative files, reports and papers produced by the institute, trade reports, annual company reports, extensive runs of trade press, business directories, sales catalogues, marketing material and product packaging, photographic and slide collections of UK and international retail outlets, and a library of the key historical international text books and studies on retail. The collection is currently dispersed across a number of locations on campus including: offices, workrooms and stores. The University Archives also holds a number of large donations of material from academics associated with the Institute.

The post holder will survey, appraise and arrange a large and varied collection and draw up a work plan for its transfer to the University Archives. This will be done under the supervision of the University Archivist. The support of the University Library’s cataloguing team will also form an important part of the project with the books and printed material identified during the project being added to the library catalogue. The post is advertised at Grade 6, Spine Point 26 in line with the salary recommendations for professional qualified staff issued by the Archives and Records Association in 2022: https://www.archives.org.uk/salary-recommendations

Description of Duties

Specific Tasks

Surveying the Institute for Retail Studies collection (currently held in various locations across the University campus)providing a detailed overview of holdings
Identifying core administrative records and publications containing the institutional history of the Institute
Liaising with Institute for Retail Studies staff re selection and transfer of archive material
Arranging transfer of the Institute for Retail Studies Archive to the University Archives
Identification of duplication of material across Institute for Retail Studies Archive holdings
Checking of Institute for Retail Studies Archive content against existing Library stock
Checking of Institute for Retail Studies Archive against existing Library online subscriptions / online resources
Overseeing the transfer of library stock to the library cataloguing team
Creating collection structure and hierarchy for the Institute for Retail Studies Archive
Writing collection level descriptions and researcher guides to the Archive
Identifying material for potential use in exhibitions and promotional campaigns
Writing a detailed project plan, organising processing and cataloguing work into distinct units to be carried out by library and archives staff, student interns and volunteers

General Tasks

Responding to enquiries directed to the University Archives, by email, telephone or in person
Publishing online content on behalf of the University Archives, including the University website, Information Services blog and social media
Supporting team members with general administrative/clerical support
Any other duties commensurate with the job grade as reasonably required from time to time

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

Postgraduate degree in Archival / Information / Library Studies, or equivalent experience
Practical experience of working as an archivist in a professional post, or equivalent experience

Knowledge & Experience

Experience of project management with ability to work to tight project timescales
Experience of surveying archive collections
Proven experience of liaising with a wide range of stakeholders

Skills & Attributes

Excellent customer service skills
Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide range of users, in person, over the phone, digitally and in writing
Highly organised approach to managing workload, with the ability to work calmly and systematically in a busy environment; prioritising work for self and others as required in order to meet agreed deadlines
Excellent IT skills, including advanced familiarity with common applications and relevant systems and online services
Meticulous attention to detail, working to a high level of accuracy
Self-aware and able to fine tune approach in order to provide optimal support and/or guidance to users as required

Desirable Criteria

Registered member of the Archives and Record Association / or enrolled on the Archives and Records Association CPD programme and working towards registration
Experience of the academic research environment
Demonstrable experience of cataloguing archive collections using the CALM for Archives system (or equivalent) and knowledge of archive standards including ISAD(G)
Advanced knowledge of core tools and services, such as CALM for Archives, Archives Hub, Microsoft 365 (including Teams, SharePoint, Forms, Outlook, Office, and others)
Previous experience uploading catalogues to Archives Hub / National Archives Discovery portal
Experience of working with and caring for objects and memorabilia
Demonstrable experience of writing for social media channels

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The University Archives holds the institutional archives of the university along with collections that support research and teaching across a range of subject including film, literature, health, medicine and sport: https://libguides.stir.ac.uk/archives

The University Archives is part of Information Support which encompasses the physical and digital library and archive services for the University community. The team plays an essential role in providing support to our staff and students, so that they can fully utilise the resources and services in support of their studies, research or work.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number: SERV01681
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Closing date: 01-Jun-2023
Location:: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade6 £28,929-£35,308 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Information Services