Job Description
Salary range: £37,692 - £39,276 (pro - rata) p.a. inc. London weighting
Contract: Secondment/Fixed term (12 months)
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: The Library at Willesden Green and other locations from time to time
Unlock one of London’s most significant community and labour history collections
Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.
The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.
The Post
Brent Council is seeking a skilled and motivated Project Archivist to lead the cataloguing, preservation, and activation of the Brent Trades Council (BTC) Archive—a major 22 linear-metre collection documenting decades of grassroots organising, activism, and social justice movements in the borough.
Funded through The National Archives’ Archives Revealed programme, this is an exciting opportunity to shape access to an important yet underused collection, widening its reach for researchers, schools, community groups, and the public.
As Project Archivist, you will take the lead in:
- Appraising, arranging, and cataloguing the BTC Archive to professional standards (ISAD(G), NCA rules)
- Repackaging and conserving material to ensure long-term preservation
- Managing a structured volunteer programme, training and supporting volunteers in archival skills
- Enhancing access through Axiell Collections and Preservica, creating high‑quality metadata and digital records
- Working with the Heritage Team to develop outreach, events, and engagement activity
- Contributing to exhibitions, learning projects, and wider cultural and legacy activity within Brent
The Person
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about archives as tools for learning, community empowerment, and inclusive heritage.
Essential skills and experience:
- A recognised postgraduate qualification in Archives & Records Management, or equivalent experience
- Experience cataloguing archival collections to professional standards
- Knowledge of archival standards, preservation, and cataloguing techniques
- Experience supervising volunteers or trainees
- Confidence working with digital cataloguing or digital preservation systems
- Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
Desirable:
- Familiarity with labour history, trade union archives, or activism collections
- Experience contributing to exhibitions, public programmes, or community history projects
Why join us?
We know people achieve their best when they feel valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from:
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
- Supportive family-friendly policies for parent, guardians, and carers
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure, and entertainment
Closing date: Wednesday 5 August 2026 (23:59)
Additional Information
If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the essential requirements on the Job description. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.
We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
The information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found
here
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on
recruitment@brent.gov.uk
