Project Librarian

Fixed Term Contract - 18 Months - 14 Hours PW

Do you want to make a difference and be part of a vibrant and inclusive organisation that has been helping save lives for more than a century? As one of the country’s best-loved charities, St John Ambulance played a pivotal role in responding to the pandemic as well as ‘everyday’ health emergencies, training, supporting communities, and improving young people’s lives.

The Museum of the Order of St John tells the story of an ancient religious military Order, from its origins caring for sick pilgrims in 11th century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity. The Museum cares for a historic library of 1170 printed books, dating from the 15th century onwards, 120 manuscripts, dating from the 15th–19th centuries and an important pamphlet collection. Subject areas include the crusades, the history of the military and religious orders in Europe, the geography and history of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Rhodes, St John's Gate and the Priory of Clerkenwell in London. We are seeking a Project Librarian to complete a project to catalogue the collection and to oversee a major digitisation initiative that will transform access for researchers and the wider public.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. The role benefits from a competitive salary, generous pension, hybrid, flexible working, 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years, options to buy and sell holiday, free first/mental aid first aider courses, Blue Light and NHS online shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, flu jab, eye care, mental health and wellbeing tools and volunteering days.

About You:

• Educated to undergraduate level in a related academic discipline
• An experienced librarian with recognised library qualifications (accredited by CILIP)
• Strong project management experience, ideally, gained working with historic library collections.
• Reading knowledge of French, Italian and/or Portuguese desirable

About The Role:

• Develop and deliver our strategic plan for classifying and cataloguing the historic library collection including setting milestones, deadlines and a delivery schedule
• Set and follow recognised descriptive standards and schema for the cataloguing of the historic library
• Create enhanced catalogue records using our Library Management System (Koha)
• Provide regular updates on cataloguing progress to the Museum team and collaborate with curatorial and learning colleagues as needed
• Work with an external specialist(s) as required to develop the catalogue of manuscripts in the collection
• Oversee the day-to-day management of a digitisation project delivered in collaboration with one of our academic partners

About Us:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,700 employees and over 30,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning. As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance response, Falls response, Night Time Economy and Homelessness outreach) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them (e.g. our Volunteers and Community Advocates, NHS Cadets and Young Responders programmes).

Find out more about us, including our new Ask Me campaign, at www.sja.org.uk

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.

Recruitment Agencies: We are not utilising the services of recruitment agencies for this vacancy and will accept direct applications only.