About the job

Job summary

The purpose of the post is to act as a specialist adviser on collections and conservation issues to local museums, archive services and libraries, many of which do not have access to specialist conservation expertise, and to support and enable them to achieve professional standards. The post holder will also provide expert advice to colleagues within Welsh Government, and contribute to the development of policy and strategy in relation to collections.

Job description

The purpose of the post is to act as a specialist adviser on collections and conservation issues to local museums, archive services and libraries, many of which do not have access to specialist conservation expertise, and to support and enable them to achieve professional standards. The post holder will also provide expert advice to colleagues within Welsh Government, and contribute to the development of policy and strategy in relation to collections.

Person specification

•    To provide sector support in relation to conservation, collections and environmental management to museums, archives and libraries across Wales
•    To provide museums and archive services with bespoke advice in relation to applications for Museum and Archive Service Accreditation; and to work with colleagues to review and assess applications for Museum and Archive Service Accreditation
•    To work closely with the Workforce and Skills Development Officer to deliver and/or commission specialist training events and activities related to collections care and management for staff and volunteers 
•    To contribute to the development of future policy and strategy on collections care and management, including commissioning research and evaluation projects and storage solutions
•    To act as first point of contact for the local museums, libraries and archive services sector, advising on collections standards such as BS4971:2017 Conservation and care of archive and library collections; BS EN 16893:2018 Conservation of Cultural Heritage; Benchmarks 3.0 (Benchmarks in Collections Care)
•    To manage and administer the Welsh Government and the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust partnership, and advise on other funding issues as required
•    To advise on and assess applications to funding streams administered by Culture Division 
•    To foster and maintain a network of contacts in Wales and beyond and to facilitate knowledge exchange and sharing in relation to collections care, management and emergency planning, acting as first point of contact for collections issues within the Welsh Government.
•    To represent Welsh Government on sector bodies and professional working groups
•    To support the administration of Government cultural property schemes in Wales e.g. the Government Indemnity Scheme, the Acceptance in Lieu of Inheritance Tax and Cultural Gifts schemes, and Conditional Exemption (training will be provided)
•    To prepare ministerial advice, corporate returns, and responses to Ministerial and other correspondence which relate to collections issues, and to attend Ministerial visits
•    To undertake appropriate professional development activities to maintain the status of an accredited conservator 
•    To act as a line manager if required and to contribute to team management 
•    Other duties, as agreed, as required appropriate to this post and grade

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:	2 stage process
Stage 1	Application Form
Stage 2	Interview

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.