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Please note contact details at the bottom of this lenghty email Background The South Eastern Museums Service (SEMS) is the museum development agency for the South East of England. It is one of seven area museum councils (AMCs) covering the regions of England. The AMCs were established to act as regional development agencies for the museum sector. SEMS is core funded by government via Resource (the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries). SEMS covers an area stretching from the Isle of Wight in the south through to Norfolk in the North. Due the large size of this area SEMS has operated for some time through four regional offices (London, Eastern, Southern and Western). SEMS is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, governed by a Board of 18 members drawn from the region. In 1997 government sponsored a review of Area Museum Councils which recommended that SEMS examine options for AMC provision along the boundaries of the government office regions. In 1999 SEMS undertook a radical restructure of the organisation which disbanded central service units and strengthened the regional offices. At the same time SEMS Board agreed that the new Regional Committees would take decisions related to the regions at regional level. These operate as sub-committees of SEMS Board. In the meantime, SEMS undertook its own reviews, most recently a solvency review by Price Waterhouse Coopers to consider how it would wind itself down and establish three new Area Museum Councils on the government region boundaries. The successor AMCs are now established as companies and registration as Charities is in progress. The Project Manager will complete the process of winding SEMS down and conclude the transfer of SEMS operations to the new AMCs. Purpose To plan and direct the wind down of the South Eastern Museums Service. Key tasks The key tasks to be completed by the Project Manager are as follows: 1. Plan, co-ordinate and supervise the wind-down process through to successful completion including: ¨ The identification of all contingent liabilities in negotiation with the relevant parties (at present these primarily comprise - Property Leases, Staff Pension provisions, Any Additional Liabilities relating to Staff and Transfer of Staff to the successor bodies and SEMS Creditors). ¨ Liaise with SEMS Surveyors (Chapman and Company) on disposal of the Ferroners House property to ensure that his takes place in the most cost effective and timely way. ¨ Ensure that all potential liabilities are met and that settlement is made with all outstanding creditors and debtors to achieve the "best" outcome. ¨ In liaison with the Directors Designate of the new bodies, ensure that the transfer of staff to the new AMCs proceeds in the most timely and cost effective way. ¨ Liaise with Companies House and the Charity Commission to arrange for SEMS to be struck off. ¨ In liaison with the Directors Designate of the successor bodies, ensure that the new Companies/Charities are established. ¨ Supervise the transfer of any remaining assets to the successor bodies once the wind down has been completed. ¨ In liaison with the Directors Designate and staff of the successor bodies and SEMS Finance Manager, ensure that the process of delegation of finance to the new AMCs is completed by time SEMS winds down. ¨ Monitor and control the process to time and in the most cost-effective way. 2. Formulate reports for SEMS Board and Chair on work progress, costs and scheduling. 3. Liaise with Resource (the Council for Museums, Libraries and Archives) on the wind down of SEMS. (Assists Directors Designate of successor bodies in their liaison with Resource over the establishment and funding of successor bodies). Person Specification ¨ Is flexible, decisive and works well under pressure. ¨ Able to analyse and resolve specific problems. ¨ Good oral and written communication skills. ¨ Able to establish good working relationship with other people. ¨ Able to manage multiple projects to timescale and within budget. ¨ Experience of Project Management ¨ Knowledge of Company and Charity Law. ¨ Knowledge of Financial Management and Control. ¨ Knowledge of the operation of regional agencies including Area Museum Councils Reports to: SEMS Chair and Management Team Fee This is not a contract of employment, the project Manager will work on a freelance basis. The fee will be £130 per day (plus reasonable expenses) for a minimum of 115 days. It is anticipated that this will consist of 3 days per week for the next 6 months with additional days as required after that period. The process is to be completed in the most timely and cost effective way with the new AMCs to be fully operational as early as possible before 1 April 2002. Application Process Please submit a CV and covering letter explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the specification. This should give the names of two referees. The deadline for receipt of applications is not later than Monday 9 April. Applications should be sent to John Turner, Chairman, South Eastern Museums Service, Ferroners House, Shaftesbury Place, Barbican, London EC2Y 8 AA. Fax: 020 7600 2581. The envelope should be clearly marked "Project Manager". Interviews of shortlisted applicants will be held on Thursday 19 April 2001 at Ferroners House.