[Taxacom] Job vacancy: Head of BM(NH) Lepidoptera Collections

[sam.smith99 at ntlworld.com]

Closing date: 16 October 2006

Job Ref - NHM/CML/EB
Job Title - Collections Manager (Lepidoptera)
Location - South Kensington, London
Salary - £26,652 - £30,000 pa
Employer - Natural History Museum

Description 

Overall Purpose

To manage the Natural History Museum’s collection of Lepidoptera (butterflies 
and moths);  lead the team of Lepidoptera curators, co-ordinate the collections 
activities within agreed guidelines approved by the Head of Collections;  
organise databasing, loans and the supervision of visitors and access to the 
collections;  contribute to policy development;  take on full curatorial 
responsibility for an area of the collection.

RESPONSIBLE TO:   Head of Collections, Entomology (Band 3)
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Lepidoptera Curators, Band 5 - currently there are 5 
Lepidoptera Curators   (full-time equivalents). Various short-term contract 
staff and volunteers.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

• Curation management.  Manage curation of the Lepidoptera Collection on a day-
to-day basis; supervise, and train curatorial staff as necessary.  

• Appraisal and preparation of annual forward job plans for Lepidoptera 
curators. 

• Take full curatorial responsibility for a defined area of the Lepidoptera 
Collection; databasing, loans, visitors and access generally, and collections 
development.

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the Collections 
Management work programme.

• Contribute to the Entomology Department’s research programme, as agreed with 
Head of Collections.

• Promotional activities (talks and behind the scenes tours) and fund -raising 
/ consultancy work.

• Corporate activities, as required.

• Deputise for the Head of Collections as required.



PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience & Competencies

• Degree in a biological science or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years natural sciences collections management experience.
• Curation of insect collections.
• Successful management of junior staff.
• Collections documentation and databasing experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and interest in entomology.
• Computer literacy.
• Track record of high achievement in previous employment.

Desirable Experience & Competencies

• Degree in zoology or entomology.
• Post-graduate degree in entomology or taxonomy.
• Post-graduate degree / diploma in Museum Studies / AMA.
• Recognised management qualification. 
• Experience in insect collections management in a large museum or similar 
institution.
• Involvement in collections-based research. 
• Project management experience. 
• Fieldwork experience. 
• Financial management and administration. 
• Report writing experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and interest in Lepidoptera
• Demonstrable knowledge of and interest in entomology. 
• Interest in Lepidoptera systematics.
• Knowledge of Lepidoptera at family level.

Personal Qualities

• Self motivated  and able to motivate others
• Tenacity / drive / determination 
• Effective communicator (verbal and written)
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Pragmatic approach to problem solving 
• Common sense and adaptability

Other Requirements

• A willingness to travel in the UK and abroad for short or long periods.

• The post-holder will be expected to work in cooperation with four other 
Collections Managers within the Department of Entomology and to deputise for 
the Head of Collections, as required.

• The post-holder will be expected to work in cooperation with Researchers 
within the Lepidoptera Division without losing sight of the Collections 
Management responsibilities and priority.

• The collections and personnel of the Lepidoptera Division will likely be 
divided between the Museum in South Kensington and the Annex at Wandsworth.  
The post-holder will be expected to operate across both sites, and perhaps 
others in the future.

To check it out in more detail go to: http://www.jobsgopublic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Job.Display&job_id=2247648


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