Description
The Feliks Topolski Archive Project Supported by the National Archives’ Archives Revealed Programme Contract: 12 months, part-time (0.6 FTE, ~3 days/week), fixed term Salary: £47,745 pro rata (£28,647 actual) Location: Topolski Studio, Waterloo, London
Key Responsibilities
- Cataloguing and Standards
- Lead the arrangement, description, and cataloguing of the FTA to ISAD(G) standards.
- Carry out or oversee a condition survey of the collection, documenting the physical state of items to inform rehousing, digitisation priorities and digital preservation standards.
- Ensure metadata is prepared for The National Archives' Discovery and Archives Hub.
- Supervise the rehousing of identified fragile items in archival-grade storage, with practical work undertaken by staff, interns, or volunteers under the archivist's direction.
- Infrastructure and Systems
- Establish and manage an Excel-based cataloguing system, aligned with ISAD(G) and adaptable for future migration.
- Integrate inherited physical catalogues and inventories into the new structure.
- Ensure the system is clearly structured to accept future deposits.
- Use the National Archives' Manage Your Collections template to prepare catalogue metadata, ensuring accessibility through The National Archives' Discovery platform (training will be provided by The National Archives).
- Coordinate with digitisation partners to manage workflows and ensure digital files are stored and preserved in line with the NDSA Levels of Digital Preservation, with support from The National Archives' resources and training.
- Collaboration and Outreach
- Manage and supervise volunteers assisting with cataloguing and repackaging tasks.
- Collaborate with the project team to deliver outreach activities (talks, workshops, tours, and open cataloguing sessions) and material for future exhibitions.
- Liaise with The National Archives, sector networks, and cultural partners.
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification in Archives and Records Management (ARA-accredited Diploma/Masters, or Level 7 apprenticeship).
- Demonstrable experience cataloguing complex collections to ISAD(G) standards, ideally using Excel.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across professional and cultural disciplines.
Desirable
- Familiarity with The National Archives' Manage Your Collections system and workflows, which enables sharing of information on its Discovery platform (training with the National Archives possible).
- Experience working with artists' archives or art-history collections and an awareness of the SPECTRUM standard.
- Experience with digital preservation or awareness of frameworks such as the NDSA Levels.
- Knowledge of Polish language.
- Experience delivering outreach and engagement programmes.
- Familiarity with Excel-based cataloguing or metadata management
Key Purpose of the Role
To lead the professional cataloguing of the Feliks Topolski Archive to ISAD(G) standards, ensuring its long-term preservation and accessibility. The Project Archivist will oversee cataloguing workflows, rehousing of material in appropriate storage, metadata preparation in Excel for National Archives Discovery platform, and contribute to outreach activities.
They will work in close collaboration with the Assistant Archivist / Programme Officer, whose role focuses on supporting the categorisation of Polish-language material and public engagement. They will also work closely with the Project Manager, Lucien Topolski and an intern at the Topolski Studio.
Applications, including a CV and cover letter are to be submitted via email to [email protected].