Community Heritage Leadership Trainee

Summary

The post holder will join a small core team who work closely with volunteers in delivering the museum and outreach programme.

Application Closing Date

25 March 2024 (and interviews week beginning 1 April 2024).

About The Programme

• Spend 14 months on placement at a host museum.
• Undertake an SVQ3 Museums & Galleries Practice
• Undertake a leadership qualification.
• Have access to a bespoke training programme – Museums Association Museums Essential training / CEC Learning Hub courses.
• Receive a £19,838 tax-free bursary- potential to increase based on MA guidelines.

About The Host Organisation

David Livingstone Birthplace is the only independent museum in Scotland that is dedicated to preserving the legacy of David Livingstone and re-examining his work within the complex and painful realities of slavery, colonialism and nineteenth century European attitudes towards African people and community groups. This puts the museum in a unique position to be central to discussions around Scotland’s role in slavery and colonisation and how that is represented both in our interpretation of David Livingstone’s story and the objects we hold within the museum. We embrace that position, and are committed to challenging unconscious bias, privilege, apathy, and ignorance. We consider all of this in relation to understanding Scottish heritage, missionary work, colonial history, and specifically with regard to the untold and contested narratives relating to Black history.

About The Role

The post holder will join a small core team who work closely with volunteers in delivering the museum and outreach programme. This will demand an ability to be hands-on, to learn by doing and to multi-task. It offers the possibility of a high degree of autonomy and an expectation of someone who can take responsibility and embrace the opportunity.

The postholder will be a member of the Operational/Engagement Team with touch points into collections. There will be significant opportunity to develop a range of skills associated with the operation of a visitor attraction which includes an award-winning museum and 26-acre parkland.

We have a strong school visit programme, community events programme and community engagement, the successful candidate will be given the opportunity to work in all these areas.

The position will be based at the site in Blantyre and will include weekends and occasional evenings.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Welcome visitors to the David Livingstone Centre.
• Operate EPOS systems and sell visitor entry tickets.
• Act as an advocate for the David Livingstone Centre
• Support the general operational running of the David Livingstone Centre.
• To assist with the running and operating of the shop and retail product management.
• Ability to manage card and cash transactions and to follow the finance procedures for end of day reconciliation.
• To deal with and manage visitor enquiries in person, via email or social media and via the phone.
• To support the volunteers in all areas of the museum and parklands
• Supporting the café operations as and when required
• To assist with queries and manage the health and safety of our visitors.
• Support with the running of other activities and events on site as required.
• Other duties as required.

Your Experience

• Experience of working in a museum, tourism and or cultural venue would be advantageous.
• Experience of having worked in a customer service environment and of supporting income generation.
• Ability to work flexibly to support with the needs of the David Livingstone Centre.
• Ability to work as part of a team, but also be able to work on your initiative as required. 2-3 years as a member of a multi-disciplinary team an advantage
• Experience of interacting with a variety of visitors and colleagues.
• Able to deal with and manage the issues of Livingstone’s story diplomatically for our different visitor groups.
• Experience or interest in formal/informal learning and working with communities, youth groups or schools.
• Experience or interest working with equalities organisations.
• Experience in undertaking evaluation activities.
• Experience undertaking consultation and engagement with the public.
• Interest or experience in decolonisation of museums or public spaces.

Knowledge/Interests

A desire to work in museums and some demonstrated interest in the heritage sector.

Experience or interest in advocating for universal and equal access to heritage and willingness to understand the need of stakeholders.

Skills

• Confident communicator, both spoken and written.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Listening
• Working in a team
• Managing own activities
• Ability to combine work and study towards a qualification.
• Decision making
• Time management
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to adapt to the communication needs of a range of audiences & stakeholders.
• Willingness to take on and implement feedback.
• Able to use Microsoft 365 package.

Personal Qualities

Conscientious, positive attitude, self- motivated, flexible, ability to collaborate and a desire to learn more about and be involved in the heritage sector.

How To Apply

To apply please e-mail hr@dltrust.uk before 12:00 (noon) 25 March 2024 (and interviews week beginning 1 April 2024).