Curator

Curator (Special Collections) 

Location: Oxford, OX3 0EE

Salary: £36,924 – £45,163 per annum plus benefits

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Working hours 9.00am to 5.30pm. Some flexibility will be required at busy periods.

The Centre is incorporated by Royal Charter and is registered as a charity. The Centre was founded in 1985 with the aim of encouraging a better understanding of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies through learning and scholarship. To this end, the Centre supports teaching and research, hosts lectures and seminars, and maintains a well-equipped library.

The Role

The primary responsibility of the Curator will be to develop, manage and preserve the Special Collections of the Centre, including the library archives, manuscript and coin collections, and digitized/born digital collections.

Key Responsibilities

The core duties and responsibilities of the post are:

• Ensuring the effective development, management and preservation of the Library’s archives and special collections, including physical and digital manuscripts, and coins.

 Collection development and management:

• Managing and supervising the manuscript collection.
• Cataloguing the Library’s archival collection according to international standards [ISAD (G)].
• Liaising with the Librarian and Fellow Librarian in creating a plan for the cataloguing of the Library’s Special Collections, including cataloguing templates for various types of materials.
• Participating with the Librarian in the selection and acquisition of an archival content management system.
• Ensuring effective delivery of physical and virtual services for users of Special Collections, including enquiry handling and reading room support.
• Ensuring the Library archives and Special Collections comply with relevant legislation around copyright, data protection, freedom of information, and equalities. Participating in developing appropriate policies and procedures for the purpose.
• Managing and supervising the digitization work of the Library’s Special Collections and Archives.
• Liaising with the Fellow Librarian and Librarian in developing and implementing strategies, policies, plans and practical advice for digital curation of the collections. This will include the establishment and implementation of a programme to ensure digitized and born digital material are appropriately managed.
• Liaising with digital services and preservation and conservation colleagues in order to schedule treatments and fulfil digitization work.
• Liaising with the Librarian, and Fellow Librarian on the preservation of all material in Library Archives and Special Collections.
• Conducting an annual audit of the Library’s Special Collections.
• Participating in a periodic review of the Library policies relating to Special Collections and Archives.
• Participating in the creation and maintenance of reference material relevant to the Special collections.
• Identifying and costing potential digitization projects which promote the Centre’s digitization facilities.

 Outreach and engagement 

• Contributing to the planning and development of agreed displays and exhibitions (digital and physical) that feature items from Library Archives and Special Collections, or external loans.
• Undertaking innovative outreach activities which promote the collections to diverse audiences.
• Developing relationships with professional bodies and university libraries in Oxford and beyond, and liaising with scholars and curators with an expertise on Arabic and Islamic manuscripts.
• Participating in Library projects and activities, as required, to meet the Centre’s strategic aims and goals.
• Pursuing and supporting externally funded collaborations and projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s or a higher degree in Islamic studies, or a relevant discipline with a focus on Muslim societies. 
• Practical experience in managing Special Collections, including manuscripts, early printed books and archival material in an academic library or museum.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including making and delivering presentations.
• Knowledge of Persian and/or classical Arabic 
• Demonstrable experience in cataloguing Islamic manuscripts
• Proven record in organizing public events and exhibitions, including developing displays, both physical and virtual. 
• Excellent IT skills and experience of working with computer software and text editing tools.
• Knowledge of accessioning and cataloguing archival documents to ISAD (G) standards, or a willingness to acquire this.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational, planning and problem-solving skills to ensure activities are completed within required timescales, reprioritizing as required, and with excellent attention to detail. 
• A readiness to participate in the wider intellectual and social life of the Centre.

Benefits

• 35 days leave per annum, including public holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Lunches provided during term time (when available)
• Free parking (while available)

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please do not hesitate to apply.