Diplomatic and International Records Specialist

The National Archives is a non-ministerial government department, home to over 1,000 years of documents. In CEE we are passionate about using our expert knowledge of those collections to inspire audiences and make them think differently about archives. The Records Specialist (Diplomatic and International) will be part of the CEE team that supports a diverse audience of public, students, academics and the wider archive and government sector to use the records at The National Archives. You will develop a general knowledge of the National Archives’ records and use this knowledge to respond to public enquiries in our day-to-day advisory service, onsite and online. Additionally, you will develop a deep knowledge of records at The National Archives related to British diplomacy and international relations from 1782 to the present, in order to provide specialist support., From the initial applications we will invite selected candidates to an online assessment day. From that assessment day we will make a further selection of candidates who will be invited to attend an interview onsite at The National Archives.
We encourage applicants who may benefit from adaptions to the interview process, for example for disability or neurodiversity reasons. We can work with candidates to identify and implement reasonable adjustments, for example, this could relate to the assessment format or environmental factors.
Reasonable adjustments:
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
+ Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

The records of the Foreign Office and its successors at The National Archives are one of the world’s most important and challenging archives for global history and have a vital role to play, both within the UK and overseas. You will be passionate about those possibilities. You’ll work innovatively and collaboratively to explore the collections and find ways to surface diverse voices and histories in line with The National Archives’ values, and its ambitions to be Inclusive, Entrepreneurial and Disruptive. You will build specialist knowledge of these collections in order to advise both community and academic researchers and to collaborate with colleagues across The National Archives on a variety of types of project, for example with those who work with schools, with government departments, on research development, or on our events and exhibitions programme., + Specialist knowledge of diplomatic or international history as evidenced through qualifications or experience;
+ Demonstrable knowledge of the specialist collections relevant to diplomatic and international records at The National Archives;
+ Experience of communicating research effectively to non-specialist audiences (e.g. digital content, exhibitions, public talks, outreach workshops and teaching);
+ Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, and ability to interact well and build effective relationships and networks within the organisation and externally;
+ Ability to handle a varied and demanding workload, to work collaboratively to deliver projects to time and budget and to manage own priorities within a supportive team environment;
+ Commitment to own learning and professional development.
Desirable
+ Published author in records-related material and/or specialist area

A combination of onsite/home working will be available, and applicants will be expected to be at our Kew site for at least 60% of their working time.
The post may require working some evenings and some Saturdays to support public service and engagement activities. Time off will be arranged in compensation for these contributions.
Must be prepared to travel to other Government departments as required.
Why work for us
In this role you will experience both challenge and variety, from dealing with queries in the reading room, to developing cataloguing projects, to opportunities to extend networks in the heritage sector in the UK and overseas. You will take on responsibilities within the team of specialists ‘Overseas and Defence’, and within the department, whilst having scope for pursuing individual projects and professional development centred on access to and understanding of our collections.
You will be supported to extend your skills in managing collaborative projects, to develop networks among communities of interest and researchers in the UK and overseas, and in seeking grant funding to further these activities.
TNA boasts a collegial working environment and the excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, wellbeing resources and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme., Alongside your salary of £32,721, The National Archives contributes £9,479 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.
Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk