Records Specialist: 19th Century/Modern Parliament

Job Overview

Salary: £33,000 - £37,000 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Band: E / HEO

Closing date: Friday 25th July at midnight

Are you passionate about archives and the stories they tell? The National Archives is looking for two Records Specialist to join our Collections Expertise & Engagement department, where we use our expert knowledge to inspire audiences and make them differently about archives.

In this role, you will focus on records relating to modern Parliament and parliamentary business. These include the records from the Parliamentary Archives, which are currently being relocated from the Palace of Westminster to The National Archives at Kew. You will be expected to develop a deep understanding of these collections, including both official records and private papers, and to appreciate how they complement and differ from The National Archives’ own collection.

Your work will involve advising a wide range of audiences — from the general public to academics and government departments — on how to access and interpret these records. You will collaborate across teams to deliver public engagement programmes, academic research and corporate activities. You will also collaborate with colleagues at the Houses of Parliament, contributing to events and exhibitions at Westminster.

This is a dynamic role that blends research and public engagement; you will also be expected to contribute to our day-to-day public advisory service, dealing with enquiries from the public at Kew and online.

We are looking for someone with a higher degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, and a strong knowledge of parliamentary records post-1782. You should have an active research profile, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to engage both specialist and non-specialist audiences. A collaborative mindset is essential.

This role is based at our Kew site, with flexibility for some home working. You will also need to travel regularly to the Palace of Westminster and be available for occasional evening events.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

If you are ready to help shape how the public engages with the history of modern Parliament, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that there are two roles available: Records Specialist (Modern Parliament) will specialise in records from the 20th century to the present day. Records Specialist (19th century Parliament) will specialise in records from 1782 to the end of the 19th century. You may apply for one or both of these roles depending on your skills and experience. Please state clearly in your application which role(s) you are applying for.

Application Process:

• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site and will include a presentation requirement
• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to upload their CV and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words

Selection for interview will be based on the ‘essential’ requirements in the job description below so please ensure that you demonstrate in detail how you meet these requirements.

We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Please note: anonymised recruitment is standard for roles across the Civil Service. However, due to the nature of this role and the information required in the selection process, please disregard any requests to anonymise your application.

Job Description

Job Purpose

In the Collections Expertise & Engagement (CEE) department, we are passionate about using our expert knowledge of our collections to inspire audiences and make them think differently about archives.

The Records Specialist (19th century Parliament) and Records Specialist (Modern Parliament) will be part of the team that provides expert knowledge of The National Archives’ records, advising and inspiring a diverse audience of public, students, academics and the wider archive and government sectors.

The postholder will grow and share their expert knowledge of records relating to Parliament and parliamentary business from 1782 to the end of the 19th century/the beginning of the 20th century until the present day. This includes the full range of records from that period found in the Parliamentary Archives collections which are currently being relocated from the Palace of Westminster to The National Archives at Kew. The post holder will be expected to have a broad understanding of the synergies and differences between the records from The National Archives collection and the records from the Parliamentary Archives collection, as well as an understanding of the private papers held within the Parliamentary Archives collection.

The post holder will use their expert knowledge to contribute to our advisory service, giving research advice to our various audiences and sharing knowledge and expertise internally and externally. Through collaboration with colleagues across the organisation they will develop and deliver our public engagement, education, and academic programmes, and contribute to corporate initiatives and activities. The post holder will also co-lead on collaborations with teams based at the Houses of Parliament in order to deliver initiatives at the Palace of Westminster such as VIP events, document displays, and exhibitions.

Their work will include using the records to surface diverse voices and histories from within the archive for audiences of all kinds. They will produce high-quality research into the records within their remit, and use this research both for academic outputs and for public engagement. Over time, and with appropriate skills development, they will be expected to contribute to formal research projects and collaborations which contribute to The National Archives’ status as an Independent Research Organisation. This includes engaging with developments in digital archiving and digital humanities research methods to promote and develop their specialist area.

The post holder will also be expected to develop a general knowledge of The National Archives’ records and use this knowledge to contribute broadly to our day-to-day public advisory service, on site and online.

Role and Responsibilities

Collections and engagement:

• To maintain and deepen specialist knowledge of records relating to Parliament and parliamentary business in the 19th century/from the 20th century to the present day, including the records that form the Parliamentary Archives collection.

• To improve and share knowledge of your specialist area through the creation and delivery of multiple outputs including innovative research guidance, talks, and training aimed at multiple and diverse audiences including the general public, academics and staff.

• To work with colleagues in public engagement roles to develop and deliver inspiring public programmes, including ways for non-research audiences to experience our collections.

• To participate in the delivery of Collections Expertise and Engagement’s public information services onsite and online through a variety of channels, and proactively work with colleagues to develop and improve these channels.

• To develop and lead cataloguing and access improvement projects for records in your specialist area, where possible securing external resources (for example volunteers) to deliver the project work.

• To contribute knowledge and expertise internally as required (e.g. input to digitisation projects, commercial product delivery, service delivery enhancements, press events and media interviews, VIP tours, educational products).

Education, research and academic engagement:

• To engage with the academic and research sectors, promoting our collections and enhancing our reputation for high-quality research within your specialist area, through contributions at academic events and to publications, reusing these research outputs for public engagement where possible.

• Working with colleagues, to develop academic research projects, including collaborations with external partners, identifying and securing external funding and managing our involvement, including supervising doctoral students as appropriate.

Government and parliamentary engagement:

• To work with colleagues based at Parliament to develop and deliver joint initiatives, including events, displays and exhibitions taking place at the Palace of Westminster.

• To work with colleagues in government-facing teams to ensure the public have effective access to records in your specialist area, supporting enquiries from other government departments, and assisting in the future transfer of records.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

• Display Screen Equipment user

• Moving items up to 10kg in weight

• May come into contact with distressing material

Person Specification

Essential criteria:

• A higher degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

• Demonstrable deep knowledge of some aspect of the collections relevant to Parliament and parliamentary business in the 19th century/from the 20th century to the present day, including the collections of the Parliamentary Archives; the ability to develop specialist knowledge of all the relevant collections.

• Active research profile in the academic and research sectors relating to specialist field with a track record of engagement with relevant research communities and communities of practice.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, with demonstrable ability to interact well and build effective relationships and networks.

• Experience of communicating complex knowledge effectively, to the non-specialist public (e.g through public talks, digital outputs) and/or through experience of training or teaching within the academic sector or other learning environments.

• Ability to handle a varied and demanding workload, and to manage own priorities within a supportive team environment.

• Track record of delivering projects delivery to time and to budget.

Desirable criteria:

• Published author in records-related material and/or specialist area.

• Experience of delivering high-quality training or teaching within academic sector or other learning environments.

• Experience of using digital humanities research methods.

Other Requirements

• The role is based at our Kew site though some home working is available; applicants should also be able to travel to the Palace of Westminster on a regular basis.

• The post will require working some evenings to support engagement activities. Time off will be arranged in compensation for these contributions.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is
found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service
D&I Strategy.

Benefits 

 

Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.  Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.

 

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at  https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ (opens in new window)

Reasonable adjustments

 

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs 

• Complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

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

 

Security 

 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. 

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)

 

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 new window)

 

Working for the Civil Service

 

The Civil Service Code  (opens in 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 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. 

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. 

 

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window)

 

Contact point for applicants:

• Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team 

• Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk 

 

Further information 

 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)