Special Collections Archivist (Methodist)

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the Department:

SOAS Library attracts researchers from around the world and has holdings of 1.3 million volumes and an excellent selection of online resources to support the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Special Collections is responsible for the management of the Library’s archive, manuscript, and rare book holdings. This includes acquiring, cataloguing, and preserving the collections. The Special Collections team also manages a service point providing access to the collections through the reading room and an enquiry service. Special Collections works closely with other teams in SOAS Library, including Collection Care, Digitisation Centre, SOAS Gallery, Access & Discovery and Reader Services, as well as colleagues across SOAS.

About the role:

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the post holder will be responsible for the management and development of the Methodist Missionary Society Archive and related collections at SOAS Library. They will lead on the cataloguing of the archive in accordance with professionally recommended standards, including the review and enhancement of legacy finding aids to improve discoverability. The post holder will also contribute to the ongoing development of the Methodist Collections by managing new acquisitions in partnership with external stakeholders. In addition, they will promote the collections through outreach activities, helping to raise awareness and engagement with these resources. In collaboration with the library’s Collection Care team, they will manage the preservation needs of the Methodist Collections to ensure long-term access to the material. As the primary point of contact for specialist enquiries, they will provide expert guidance to researchers and partner organisations. They will also support the wider Special Collections service by responding to general enquiries, participating in collection management and processing activities, contributing to policy development, and undertaking duties in the Special Collections Reading Room as required.

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website.

What We Offer:

We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Holiday Entitlement: Benefit from 44 days of holiday (30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays & 6 closure days over Christmas and Easter) to ensure ample time for rest and relaxation.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognise the importance of flexibility & offer options to help you manage your professional and personal commitments effectively.
• Generous occupational pension scheme: To provide financial security for your future
• Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth & development and offer diverse learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.