Collections Auditor – Brent Museum & Archives

Introduction to Becoming Brent

With National Lottery Heritage Fund investment, Brent Museum and Archives are undertaking a programme called, Becoming Brent. A key element of this project will be a comprehensive audit of the British Empire Exhibition collections we hold across our museum and archives. We want you to fully audit, accession, and catalogue this nationally important collection and undertake a critical appraisal.

About the role

We are looking to recruit a collections auditor to lead on an audit of the British Empire Exhibition collection held in our archive and museum collection at Willesden Green library. This will include:

• Working in partnership with Brent’s heritage team.
• A critical appraisal of current collections.
• Recruiting, and working with, volunteers to assist with the project.
• A review of the collection, to update and help resolve any existing documentation issues, undertaking any disposals and improving storage of the collection in our museum and archive store.
• Assist with all aspects of collection documentation from initial object entry, accessioning, long-term classification, and cataloguing.
• Digitising the collection.
• Producing a research guide about the collection that can be used by anyone wanting to explore this important collection.

Freelance

The role will be recruited on a freelance basis and on a fixed term basis.

Eligibility

We are looking for people who have:

• Worked with museum and archival collections and has a good working knowledge of best practices.
• Previous experience of undertaking an archive audit.
• Strong IT and communication skills.
• The ability to work systematically and methodically.
• Experience of using digital collections management systems.
• Experience of authoring research guides (or similar documents).
• Knowledge of latest museum, archives trends and practices.

Criteria for selection

• Someone with relevant experience.
• Someone excited by Brent’s heritage and about telling local stories.
• Someone who is interested in the global and social history related to Brent such as the British Empire or the British Empire Exhibition which took place in Wembley in 1924 and 1925.
• Evidence of being able to complete the work to a high quality and to agreed timescales.
• Someone who is comfortable engaging with staff, volunteers, visitors and encouraging new visitors and/or participants.

Time Frame

It is anticipated that the person or persons undertaking this project would need to consider a 4 – 6-month commitment to complete all relevant tasks. Days of work are flexible.

Budget

£24,500. (Separate budget for other costs, e.g., materials, printing, etc).

Submitting a proposal

If you would like a lot more detail about the project, have questions or would like to discuss the work informally before applying, please contact Peter Baxter to arrange a meeting stating times of when you are available – core office hours, evenings and weekends are possible too. An MS Teams meeting will be arranged, and an invite will be sent.

Requests for an informal discussion should be no later than the 21 April 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Peter Baxter, Becoming Brent Project manager: email [email protected] or call 020 8937 6676.

Timeline

• Collections auditor brief issued – April 2024
• Informal conversation requests submitted before 21 April 2024
• Deadline for applications – 3 May 2024.
• Interviews with shortlisted applicants – w/c 6 May 2024.
• Planning meeting and audit commences – no later than 1 June 2024
• Audit ends – Autumn 2024
• 1st draft research guide produced – 1 September 2024
• Final draft research guide produced – Autumn 2024

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this work, please provide:

• current CV
• covering letter explaining your interest in this role and explain how you would meet the eligibility and criteria for selection (no more that 2 pages)
• a plan or statement about how you will undertake and complete the work required on time and on budget.

If you are an organisation or a more than one person, please apply based on the lead applicant.

These should be submitted by email to Peter Baxter ([email protected]) by Friday 3 May 2024 with the heading ‘Collection Audit – Becoming Brent’.