The Gurkha Museum
The Gurkha Museum honours and promotes the heritage and culture of Gurkha soldiers and their continuing service to Britain. Through the Museum’s educational activities with schools and other organisations, it helps promote the values that underpin the Gurkhas’ success: courage, fortitude, determination and loyalty undertaken cheerfully in the face of adversity. This unique military ethos is called Kaida, after which the current redevelopment project is named.
Situated within the historic Peninsula Barracks in Winchester, the Museum offers an immersive experience that transports visitors through the captivating history of the Gurkhas. Starting from their humble beginnings in Nepal and the pivotal moment in 1815 when they were first enlisted to fight for Britain, the extraordinary tales presented and preserved in our archives, not only encompass the battles and campaigns but also showcase the rich culture and religious practices of this unique fighting force.
Project Kaida
The Gurkha Museum underwent its last redevelopment more than three decades ago when the Brigade of Gurkhas was mostly stationed outside the UK. Today the Brigade of Gurkhas is predominantly based in the UK and an increasing number of Nepali families are settling here post-service.
Expectations surrounding museums have evolved, and research informs us that the Gurkha Museum no longer aligns with these expectations or attracts as diverse an audience as it could. The Museum needs to incorporate a stronger Nepali perspective, recognizing the importance of oral history in Nepali tradition. Challenges faced by the Museum include accessibility issues, limited appeal to modern audiences, and a static chronological layout. Space constraints hinder the Museum from covering more recent campaigns and the ongoing contributions of Gurkhas.
Our vision is to create a must-see visitor attraction and to confirm ourselves as the global reference centre for Gurkha heritage. To do this, Project Kaida will:
- Fully refurbish our public galleries at Winchester, making them more inviting, accessible, and appealing to wider and more diverse audiences;
- Fully digitise our extensive archive, making it globally accessible;
- Engage in an ambitious and wide-ranging activity and education plan;
- Redevelop the library into an international research, conference, and education centre.
It is particularly in support of the first of these that the Museum now seeks to appoint a Project Support Consultant to assist the Director in the Delivery Phase, for which significant NLHF support has recently been secured.
Appointment brief
An experienced consultant is sought to provide up to 30 days consultancy (from NLHF Permission to Start – expected imminently – to RIBA Stage 7) to sit on the Client Team and work alongside the Project Director (Museum Director) to support the delivery of Project Kaida. The scope of services to be provided is:
- to provide client-side project management support, including:
- ensuring client deliverables for the project are clearly understood, defined, and delivered.
- support with establishing delivery phase management and reporting.
- supporting regular risk workshops.
- to provide advice and practical support on procurement of delivery phase contracts working closely with the lead designer and QS, including:
- contract particulars.
- assisting shaping preliminaries.
- attending interview panels.
- evaluating and moderating tender returns.
- to provide support and guidance on monitoring and evaluation, assisting with appointment of project evaluator.
- attending design team and site team meetings as required.
- attending regular Client Review Meetings to track progress and general mentoring.
- support with fundraising applications.
How to apply
In accordance with NLHF procurement principles, the Museum wishes to make an appointment on the basis of competitive quotes, against our assessment of ability to best support the Director. In order to apply, please send your proposal, including a CV demonstrating experience and ability to deliver the required services, and a statement of proposed costs, to [email protected] by noon on 21 February 2025.
Further information may be sought from the Museum and Project Director, Dr Daren Bowyer, at the above email of by calling him on 01962 842832.
Please note that the appointment will subject to formal confirmation of Permission to Start from NLHF.