Conservation Projects Officer - London, United Kingdom - House of Commons UK Parliament

House of Commons UK Parliament

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Positions

Band / Grade

B2J1

Salary
- £34,427 Per Annum

Post Type

Concurrent

Contract Type

Fixed Term

Contract Length

Year

Working Pattern

Full Time

Leave entitlement

Starting at 30 days per annum, prorata

Pension

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Closing Date

15th January 2023 at 23:55

Additional File

House of Commons Benefits and

House of Commons:

The House of Commons is a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House.

They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits:

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

30 days' annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
Access to training and development.
Flexible working.
Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction:

The Conservation Projects Officer for the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection (HFDA) sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within In-House Service and Estates (IHSE).

The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance (the Parliamentary Art Collection (PAC), the HFDA Collection and the Architectural Fabric Collection (AFC).

This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The PAC includes over 10,000 artworks, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate, and consists of paintings, sculpture, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to têxtiles, medals and political collectibles.

HFDA includes over 11,000 objects including historic furniture, clocks, silver and ceramics.

It is a working collection with many objects in daily use across the Parliamentary Estate fulfilling the role for which they were designed and made.

The AFC includes over 4,500 items which were commissioned for the Palace of Westminster but have been detached from the built fabric and historic interiors

The Role:

Over the next 10 to 15 years, planning for the Strategic Estates Programme and Restoration and Renewal (R&R) will have a big impact on the collections.

In addition to supporting these major projects, the post holder will have the appropriate conservation/restoration qualification and background, an understanding and appreciation of historic furniture and decorative arts and the necessary management skills to:

Survey the conservation requirements of the historic furniture collections, and in particular the Pugin, Victorian and Scott items. Survey the decorative arts collection that includes silver, clocks and other objects in a wide range of media.
Undertake regular condition assessments such that conservation priorities can be identified.
To provide specialist training to relevant parties with regards to object handling and increase understanding and awareness of collections care across the Parliamentary Estate.
Undertake the planning of conservation needs of the collection that will be required in advance of Restoration & Renewal, and in consultation with the Conservation Manager.
Specify the work to be undertaken by contractors and supervise the works undertaken.
Source and procure the relevant specialist conservation contractors to undertake the necessary treatment, ensuring work meets recognised national and international standards.

Skills and Experience:

Proven and high level of knowledge and practical experience in the conservation/restoration of historic furniture.
An understanding of furniture design and construction.
Significant experience of working with heritage collections within a museum, art gallery or historic building environment.
Working knowledge and experience in the conservation of decorative arts.
Organisation and prioritisation whilst managing multiple work streams
Ability to take initiative of planning own workload and that of others to achieve demanding tasks and deadlines.
Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal tactfully and confidently with people at all levels upholding the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Ability to demonstrate effective written and oral communication.
Competent IT skills and capability to learn new IT skills.

Next Steps:

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the **Job Description