Opportunity ID
592
Location IWM London
Career Level B
Salary £27,000 per annum. In addition, you will receive a £500 salary increase upon the successful completion of core apprenticeship milestones.
Hours 36 hours net per week (incorporating study time)
Department Narrative and Content
Position type Fixed Term
Length of employment 42 Months (3.5 years), Fixed Term
Job Summary
We are one of the worlds leading authorities on conflict and its impact on peoples lives from 1914 through to the present day and beyond. Our collections are filled with personal stories and experiences, inspiring powerful and often conflicting emotions. We aim to share these stories with as many audiences as possible across the world in a way that engages and challenges them, increasing understanding of why we go to war and the effect that conflict has on peoples lives. In other words, we expect our stories to change the way people think about war.
We rely on our staff to help us achieve this aspiration. You should be able to demonstrate the skills and competencies set out below, but equally we are looking for people who believe in what we do and who we are, and can treat every colleague, customer or visitor with respect, courtesy and honesty. We expect our staff to work flexibly and with enthusiasm. These are the qualities that make IWM such an extraordinary place to work.
Purpose of the job
The Collections and Curatorial team comprise the museums Media Heads, who are specialist curators that champion the management, interpretation, integrity and use of the respective parts of the IWM collection. We act as the most senior curatorial specialists in our areas and interact with many diverse teams across the organisation to provide expertise and assist with analysis of the collections. We provide support and guidance to specialist curators in the Narrative and Curatorial team, are responsible for the shape and strategic development of IWMs collections in our media areas, and drive and support any associated public programme outputs.
This Apprentice Archivist role offers an opportunity to work with one of our Media Heads in learning the working practices of IWM while studying in conjunction with Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) for their Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager professional qualification. At IWM you will specialise in two areas our Documents collection of historical papers and our Museum Archive of administrative records - although there will be many opportunities to work alongside the other media types in our care. You will also be allocated set time during the working week in order to attend classes and undertake study with WAES, which is undertaken on a modular basis over three years.
You will work closely with colleagues across the museum to ensure best practice standards and documentation, and may contribute to exhibitions, publications and other museum projects. In addition to your studies with WAES, there will also be opportunities to attend training courses in various aspects of museum practice both within IWM and externally, as well as attendance at professional conferences and other forums.
Your Duties Will Include
- to apply to all areas of activity a cohesive understanding of archives and records management and how it relates to IWMs work
- support delivery of content for galleries and exhibitions as well as other public programme-related outputs
- to always work as a team member, consulting with colleagues and sharing knowledge and information
- to facilitate and support access to our collection, knowledge and skills to the public and to colleagues across IWM
- To work with colleagues across IWM to support effective stewardship and care of the collection
- Actively promote and implement IWMs strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity within the scope of the project
- To keep up to date with changing technology to assist more efficient and effective working
- Ensure familiarity with all the Museum's health and safety policies and procedures
This job description is not all encompassing. Over time the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general character of the job. Your duties may be reviewed from time to time and revised and updated in consultation with you to reflect appropriate changes.
Important Additional Apprenticeship Information for Applicants
Start Date
This position is available immediately and WAES teaching will commence on 20th October 2025.
The Apprenticeship
This is a Level 7 apprenticeship and full details of the qualification can be found on the WAES website: Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager - Westminster Adult Education Service. The apprenticeship consists of a three-year learning period followed by a six-month assessment period.
Application Eligibility and Interview
Candidates who hold any existing qualifications in archives or records management are not eligible to apply for this apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is intended as a route to learning and not purely as a means to a qualification.
Applicants must meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to attend:
- First stage interview will be with IWM and WAES. Interviews will be online in the week commencing 8th September.
- Second stage interview with be with IWM. Interviews will be in person at IWM London and will include an opportunity to meet colleagues and see where you will work in the week commencing 15th September.
Apprenticeship Time
As an apprentice, you will spend a minimum of one day training/learning per week as part of your apprenticeship. The Level 7 apprentice will spend four days a week working at IWM, learning on the job, and one day a week doing off-the-job learning. During the off-the-job learning days, the apprentice will attend online and in-person training sessions (located in London) with Westminster Adult Education Service, complete independent learning or write about their work for their portfolio of evidence, which is used in the end-point assessment. You will be supported throughout the course with an allocated workplace mentor, WAES academic tutors and regular meetings with the apprenticeship mentor to support your learning and development.
Equality and Inclusion
IWM is looking to support applicants who have faced barriers to curatorial roles and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone. Our Access & Inclusion Strategy was created to transform the work that we do to ensure that anyone can access IWM and that staff, audiences and collections at our national museums reflect the diversity of our local communities, the nation as a whole and the Commonwealth. This involves changes across IWM to create an inclusive culture and through small, meaningful changes over time, access and inclusion will become embedded and part of business as usual. The full Access & Inclusion Strategy can be found
here .
For a full list of duties and the person specification (which your application will be marked against) please view the Job Description.
Application closing date
September 1st 2025, 9:00 AM
Interview Details
First stage interview will be online in the week commencing 8th September. Second stage interview with be with IWM in the week commencing 15th September.
Benefits
The benefits listed below are discretionary and IWM reserves the right, with due notice, to vary or withdraw them at any time. All such benefits apply during the course of your employment only.
- Annual Leave: You'll have 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays on top. After 3 years, this increases to 27 days and after 5 years, youll get 30 days
- Company Group Pension Plan: Our commitment to your financial well-being includes competitive employer contributions to your pension starting at 7% to a maximum of 12%.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits: Celebrate lifes milestones with confidence, knowing that our policies support growing families.
- IWM4me: Tailor your benefits to your unique needs through IWM4me. Access health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates, ensuring your holistic well-being.
- Free Sanitary Products: We prioritise your comfort by providing free sanitary products across all our sites.
- Retail Discounts: 25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, Benefits hub offering retail discounts to several high street shops (via our EAP provider) and MyActive discounts for health and wellbeing based retail discounts (via IWM4me)
- Free Entry to IWM Air Shows: Witness the thrill of vintage aircraft at our air shows.
- Free Entry to Partner Museums & Galleries: Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture through our reciprocal arrangements with other institutions.
- In-House Training Programmes: Fuel your intellectual curiosity and professional growth through our comprehensive training initiatives.
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme: Simplify your daily commute with our interest-free loan program.
- Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire : Promote well-being and environmental consciousness by cycling to work.
- Eye Tests: Money back up to £80 for an eye test and a new pair of glasses.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Access confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.
- Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance: Prioritise your health with access to quality healthcare services (subject to terms and conditions).
- Civil Service Sports Club Membership: Opportunity to join and enjoy additional discounts and perks as part of a vibrant community.
- Staff Events and Networks: Join fellow colleagues in social gatherings and events, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences.
and more!
Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Apply now and become part of IWM!
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Role
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This role is subject to:
A basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
Equal Opportunities and Flexible Working
IWM is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities.
We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them, and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone.
Our Access and Inclusion strategy has been developed to promote openness, equal opportunities to access, inclusivity and encourage diversity in everything that we do, from employment practices, the services we provide to our visitors to the facilities we make available to public.
At IWM we seek to address the need for greater diversity within our workforce as well as the wider museum and heritage sector. In all our practices we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from suitable candidates of all backgrounds.
We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruitment contact, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.
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