Curator (Oceania) in the Department of Ethnography
Salary c.£21k

Working to the Assistant Keeper (Oceania) to assist in the curatorship of
the Pacific & Australian Collections in the Department of Ethnography.

Key responsibilities (in order of priority):
*Upgrade and maintain the registration and documentation of the Oceanic
collections;
*Assist with the transfer of the Oceanic collections to new storage in the
British Museum's Study Centre, and thereafter contribute to the Study
Centre programme as appropriate;
*Advise on and initiate acquisitions for the collection;
*Answer public and research enquiries;
*Contribute to the development of a permanent Gallery and other exhibitions
of the Oceanic collections: planning, installing, and monitoring
exhibitions, and taking responsibility for the rotation of objects in the
Permanent Gallery where necessary;
*Advise on loan applications;
*Make a knowledge of the collections and their context available through
exhibitions, lectures and publications;
*Undertake original research relating to the collections, as appropriate.

What are the main work pressures and challenges?:
*The challenges (in response to pressures) are for
successful teamwork and collaboration with colleagues and the ability to
relate positively with members of the public.
*the ability to carry a variety of projects simultaneously.
*the capacity to work to deadlines which are externally imposed.
*the ability to work within set budgets.
*Staff managed: assist with one plus volunteers as appropriate.
*Budgets: project budgets relevant to responsibilities.
To take responsibility in the list of key responsibilities as above, with
greater autonomy as experience develops.

What are the performance targets or standards?
*The first two years will be a period of intense work directed to crucial
collection documentation (especially online record upgrading) prior both to
the move of the collections to the Study Centre and the development of the
new Pacific Galleries, and to planning for both events. Changes to the
workload will be effected by both the implementation of both these
programmes.
*At all times the appointee will be required to assist with public and
research enquiries. Applicants should preferably have a higher degree in
the relevant field and experience in working with Ethnographic collections
in a museum is desirable. The postholder needs to be able to work
collaboratively with other staff members and on their own initiative. Some
experience in managerial or supervisory skills would be an advantage as is
knowledge in fieldwork and language skills.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter quoting reference 2000/84 to
Human Resources, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
Closing date for applications is Friday 30th November 2000.

Further information can be obtained by email from
[log in to unmask] or from the Museum Web site
www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
The British Museum is an Equal Opportunities Employer

This advertisment is also on the BM website at:
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/jobs/index.html>
Lissant Bolton,
Visiting Fellow,
Centre for Cross Cultural Research,
Australian National University,
ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA

Ph: 6249 3123
Fax: 6249 2438
Email:<[log in to unmask]>  OR  <[log in to unmask]>