Chief Curator: Natural History

Iziko Museums of South Africa are African museums of excellence that empower and inspire all people to celebrate and respect diverse heritage.

The client is seeking to appoint a motivated employee in the position of Chief Curator: Natural History.

Key Responsibilities include:

1. Manage the Natural History curatorial team and oversee exhibition, research, publication, collection development and management activities in the Iziko Natural History unit, working in close collaboration with the Director Research & Exhibitions.
2. Assist the Director Research & Exhibitions to develop and implement an integrated research and exhibition strategy that builds on Iziko’s strengths and opportunities, meets the needs of our society and visitors and profiles our museums as relevant spaces of public engagement that are responsive to the South African and African context and the realities of an ever changing and increasingly challenging global environment.
3. Facilitate planning and implementation of relevant research and exhibition programmes and projects in the Natural History unit.
4. Work collaboratively with the Director Research & Exhibitions and the Chief Curators, Social History & Art and Exhibition Design & Production, to achieve departmental objectives and realise dynamic, efficient and effective functional teams specifically in strategic research focus areas and exhibition planning and curation, exhibition and information design, installation and maintenance.
5. Ensure coordination and effective communication of Natural History unit activities with all internal stakeholders, and specifically other Core Function departments.
6. Interact with public in areas of specialization.
7. Participate in planning, implementation, budgeting and fundraising processes and submit relevant reports.
8. Contribute to risk management and alert Director Research and Exhibitions of any areas of potential risk that require mitigation.

Requirements:

1. Master’s degree (MSc) relevant to Natural History
2. At least three years’ experience as a Museum Curator/or similar environment with a demonstrated track record of competence and success.
3. Research and established publication record in internationally recognised scientific and peer-reviewed journals.
4. Good communication (written and verbal) skills
5. Computer literacy in MS Office Suite
6. Proof of valid driver’s license

Competencies Required:

1. Ability to plan, manage and implement projects
2. Knowledge of financial management and fundraising
3. Ability to liaise and network with stakeholders
4. Ability to work in a team

NB: A letter of application including a detailed CV with at least two contactable referees and certified copies of identity document and certificates must be attached. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks after closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.