DIGITAL ARCHIVIST at Black South West Network

DIGITAL ARCHIVIST

Do you believe communities should shape how their stories are collected, preserved, and shared? Are you excited by the possibilities of digital heritage and co-produced archives?

Black South West Network (BSWN) is recruiting a Digital Archivist to lead the technical delivery of the digital platform and archive for The UnMuseum – Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Stories of Black Identity and Belonging in the South West project.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UnMuseum is a bold, three-year initiative rooted in decolonial practice, community ownership, and digital innovation. The project centres Black and Racially Minoritised communities as decision-makers in how cultural heritage is identified, digitised, and made accessible.

About the Role

As Digital Archivist, you will be responsible for the design, commissioning, and delivery of a digital archive platform co-produced with community members and technical specialists. Working closely with the Community Curator, Senior Curator, and wider team, you’ll:

• Lead the development of an interactive, accessible digital platform
• Design and facilitate co-production workshops and prototype testing
• Manage the digitisation and archiving of community-collected materials
• Ensure data security, metadata integrity, and long-term preservation
• Embed ethical, anti-colonial archiving practices across the project

You’ll also contribute to the development of a regional festival and deliver participatory events across the South West that digitise and preserve cultural heritage currently at risk.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll bring experience in digital archiving and project management, alongside a commitment to heritage justice and community ownership. You should have strong technical skills, an understanding of open-source tools and metadata standards, and the ability to work with care and clarity across a diverse set of partners and stakeholders.

We particularly welcome candidates from Black and Racially Minoritised backgrounds and those with lived experience of the communities we work with.

How to Apply

Please see further details at UnMuseum Recruitment 25 — Black South West Network. You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting statement as part of your online application. Your statement should address how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. CVs alone will not be considered.

Should you be shortlisted, you will be asked to prepare a short 10-minute presentation outlining your experience and approach to the role.