Head, Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP)

Head of Endangered Material Knowledge Programme
Africa Oceania and the Americas
Full-time
Fixed term for 4 years until November 2028
£53,652 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday 16th September

About the role:
We are looking for an established and recognised researcher to manage the Arcadia-funded Endangered Material Knowledge Programme. The EMKP is a grant-giving programme that supports the digital preservation of critically threatened material knowledge globally. In the role, you will work closely with the programme Director to manage a team of professionals, and oversee the grant-giving process, the digital strategy and important collaborative research for the digital preservation of material knowledge.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Guide and lead the EMKP annual grant-giving process including the advertisement and awarding of grants, the appointment, management and supporting of the panel of experts to award them, and enable the delivery of significant, ground-breaking, internationally recognised research projects.
2. Manage the programme budget and assist in preparing an application for programme renewal.
3. Work with the digital team in the management of the digital repository and strategy.
4. Develop and run professional training in field research, focusing on digital documentation of material culture, including suitable media for specific types of documentation, ethical concerns, open access licensing and community liaison issues. Provide training in the preparation of metadata and digital preservation.
5. Support field research by grantees, responding to issues raised during their fieldwork. Act as a source of advice for grantees and others by drawing on your own anthropological knowledge in relation to endangered knowledge.
6. Advocate for the work of EMKP and the Museum, delivering both independent and collaborative research, and dissemination.

About you:
Overseeing a team you will be an excellent communicator to a variety of stakeholders, and have prior experience managing others and managing budgets. Prior work experience with museum collections would be of benefit.

About the British Museum:
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen.

Benefits:
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

1. Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and bank holidays.
2. Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme.
3. Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions.
4. Participation in private and public Museum activities.
5. Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans.
6. Professional and personal development opportunities.
7. Employee Assistance Programme.
8. Discounts on food and gift shop purchases.

Additional details:
For more information about this role, please see the job description. The interviews are expected to take place in early October. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make the best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment.

We offer a flexible way of working scheme that allows our employees to work remotely in a way that suits them and the organisation. We welcome questions and conversations at interview stage about how flexible working could work for you. We would typically see this role as working on site about 3 days a week.