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Job opportunity at the Public Record Office, UK The Public Record Office, the National Archives, is seeking a statistician to work in its Records Management Department to select statistical records for future researchers and to provide expert advice to colleagues. The advertisement and full job description are given below. Please note that the closing date is 12 March 1999. The job advertisement and job description, which cover four vacancies, refer to the need for a degree in modern British History or a related discipline, preferably to postgraduate level. Just for clarification, a degree in statistics or a similar field is perfectly appropriate for the statistical post. Job advertisement (appeared in the Guardian, 23 February 1999) HELP SHAPE TOMORROW'S HISTORY PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE £21,690- £27,474 (pro rata for part-time post) 3 full-time permanent posts 1 part-time post (21 hours a week), 2 year contract The Public Record Office (PRO) is The National Archives, holding the records of central government from the Domesday Book to the present day. Records Management Department works with government departments to improve records management practices and to select records for permanent preservation. Records Management Department has recently been reorganised and we now have vacancies for four client managers. Each client manager will be responsible for a group of government departments, working with their staff at a variety of levels to improve the quality of records management and to select records for transfer to the PRO. We are currently seeking candidates with specialist knowledge in one of the following areas, although applications from those with a background in other areas of historical research will be considered: UK government finance and economic policy; statistical research and sampling techniques; modern cartographic and/or architectural history (preferably with some experience of GIS or CAD). Client managers spend a lot of time travelling to other government departments around the country and are required to work with limited supervision. Successful applicants will have: * a degree or equivalent in modern British History, political science or a related discipline, preferably to postgraduate level (see possible areas of specialism above) * a sound understanding of the nature of historical research and research techniques * an understanding of how government policy is developed and implemented * a commitment to providing a client-focused service * a proven ability to manage work to meet deadlines and targets * an ability to initiate and manage change * a commitment to quality improvement * IT literacy You may also have: * experience of records management * knowledge of archives administration The Public Record Office offers an excellent package including a non-contributory pension scheme, childcare voucher facilities and a generous leave allowance. Contact Satwinder Bamrah in the Personnel Department, Kew Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU for further details and an application form. Alternatively you can telephone her on 0181 876 3444 ext. 2563 or email her on [log in to unmask] Completed applications must be received by 5.00pm on Friday 12 March 1999 Full job description INSPECTION AND CLIENT MANAGEMENT UNIT RECORDS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Client Managers: 3 full-time permanent posts 1 part-time post (21 hours a week), 2 year contract Starting salary: £21,690-£27,474 (pro rata for part-time post) Background The Public Record Office (PRO) is 'The National Archives', holding the records of central government from the Domesday Book to the present day. The PRO is involved in selecting records from government departments, making them available to the public, and preserving them for future researchers. The PRO is an Executive Agency and also a separate Government Department accountable to the Lord Chancellor. Based in Kew, Surrey, the Office employs about 470 staff and holds 160 kilometres of public records. Each year, on average, a further 1.5 kilometres of records are accessioned into the PRO. Job Purpose Records Management Department is the part of the PRO which works with other government departments to improve records management practices and to select and transfer - or accession - records for permanent preservation in accordance with the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967. Records Management Department has recently been reorganised and we now have vacancies for four client managers (3 full-time permanent posts, 1 part-time post for two years). Each client manager will be responsible for a group of government departments, working with their staff at a variety of levels to improve the quality of records management and to select records for transfer to the PRO. The role of a client manager is a demanding one. It requires a strong background in modern British history or political science, preferably acquired through postgraduate study. The growth in electronic records means that client managers need to be comfortable working in an increasingly automated environment. The ability to influence others, including at senior levels, is essential. Client managers perform a dual role, acting both as an auditor and an adviser. This requires sensitivity and diplomacy and an ability to manage relationships to achieve results. Client managers spend a lot of time travelling to other government departments around the country and are required to work with limited supervision. Client managers are also required to develop and share expertise in a specialist area of the public records or of records management. We are currently seeking candidates with specialist knowledge in one of the following areas, although applications from those with a background in other areas of historical research will be considered: * UK government finance and economic policy * statistical research and sampling techniques * modern cartographic and/or architectural history (preferably with some experience of GIS or CAD) Main responsibilities of the post * developing and revising policies for selecting public records and ensuring that they are implemented satisfactorily * auditing existing records management practices in government departments/agencies * overseeing the implementation of the PRO's records management policies and standards in specified government departments/agencies * providing guidance on best practice standards in records management * providing guidance on the public records implications of the government's information policy (e.g. data protection and freedom of information legislation) * providing specialist advice to other client managers or to government departments outside your immediate remit Person specification You will have: Essential * degree or equivalent in modern British History, political science or a related discipline, preferably to postgraduate level (see possible areas of specialism above) * a sound understanding of the nature of historical research and research techniques * an understanding of how government policy is developed and implemented * a commitment to providing a client-focused service * a proven ability to manage work to meet deadlines and targets * an ability to initiate and manage change * a commitment to quality improvement * IT literacy Desirable * experience of records management * knowledge of archives administration Please indicate on your application whether you are interested in a full-time or part-time post. Length of Contract: Permanent Appointments (Full time) Fixed Term Appointment (Part-time) until 31 March 2001 Salary: £21,690 - £27,474 pa (pro rata for part-time post) Hours: 36 hours per week excluding meal breaks. A flexible working scheme is in operation at management's discretion. At management discretion staff are expected to be flexible with their working patterns within the hours of 7.00am to 7.00pm weekdays and 9.00am to 5.15pm on Saturdays. Probation: 12 month probationary period applies Holidays: 22 days annual leave per calendar year, rising to 25 after 1 year's service, plus 10.5 days public and privilege leave per annum. Benefits: Non-contributory pension scheme Childcare voucher facilities Excellent opportunities for training & development Learning Resource Centre Sports & social club facilities Subsidised staff restaurant Selection: Selection will be by interview. Nationality Rules: Applicants must be British or Commonwealth citizens, or national of states of the European Union. Contact: Satwinder Bamrah in the Personnel Department, PRO, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU or telephone on 0181 876 3444 (ext 2563) or e-mail [log in to unmask] Applications must be made by PRO application form. CVs will not be accepted The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on the 12 March 1999 OCCUPATIONAL PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE WILL TAKE PLACE ON 22 MARCH 1999 INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD ON 29 AND 30 MARCH 1999 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%