135-Archivists and curators

Job Title: 

Archivists and curators

Job Description: 

Collect, appraise, advise, or ganize, store, maintain, exhibit and provide access to, or restoration of, records and documents of long-term historical or research value or past/contemporary collections or exhibits.

Summary: 

Archivists and curators research, collect, appraise and ensure the safekeeping and preservation of the contents of archives, artefacts and records of historical, cultural, administrative and artistic interest, and of art and other objects. They plan, devise and implement systems for the safekeeping of records and historically valuable documents. They also advise and help individuals and organizations with their archives. They also manage, organize, develop, maintain and exhibit collections for museums, art galleries and artists. They may also participate in research activities in relation to archival materials, exhibitions or collections.

Tasks: 

Job activities and tasks include:

  • evaluating and preserving records for administrative, historical, legal, evidential and other purposes
  • directing or carrying out the preparation of indexes, bibliographies, microfilm copies and other reference aids to the collected material and making them available to users
  • researching the origin, distribution and use of materials and objects of cultural and historical interest
  • organizing, developing and maintaining collections of artistic, cultural, scientific or historically significant items
  • directing or undertaking classification and cataloguing of museum and art gallery collections and organizing exhibitions
  • researching into, appraising, and developing, organizing and preserving historically significant and valuable documents such as government papers, private papers, photographs, maps, manuscripts audio-visual materials
  • preparing scholarly papers and reports
  • planning and implementing the computerized management of archives and electronic records
  • organizing exhibitions at museums and art galleries, publicizing exhibits and arranging special displays for general, specialized or educational interest
  • appraising and acquiring archival materials to build and develop an archival collection for research purposes
Knowledge: 

Advanced specialized knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in field of work, discipline and/or professional practice

  • Specialized knowledge of analyzing, planning, managing and establishing ideas, policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions in the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice
  • Advanced knowledge of research principles and methods
  • Advanced knowledge of high level governance of systems, processes and procedures including legislative, regulatory, standards, codes and conventions
  • Higher knowledge of recent developments in the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice
  • Higher knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in management, economics, finance, statistics and fiscal disciplines related to the field of work and/or professional practice
  • Higher knowledge of political, government, legislative and regulatory systems related to the field of work
  • Higher knowledge of laws, regulations, standards codes and conventions of the UAE and specific Emirates related to the field of work, discipline and/or professional practice and more general subjects including OHSE and cultural understanding and awareness
  • Higher knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in sensitively recognizing and responding to the management of highly complex ethical issues
  • Leverage information technology, executive information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal field of work performance and/or professional practice
  • Higher skills in research, analysis, consultation and synthesis of information to evaluate ideas, policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions and generate recommendations and/or relevant alternatives
  • Manage advanced relationships and coordinate related activities of respective stakeholders
  • Advanced skills and experience in high level policy analysis, formulation and research, plus strategic planning in sensitive and confidential environment
  • Develop abstract concepts and convey strategic indications from the spectrum of development experience
  • Higher negotiation cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills
  • Use of information, tools, resources to support high-level and complex work achievement
  • Work sensitively and effectively in a multi-cultural environment
  • Work with others to develop creative solutions to complex unpredictable and/or abstract problems
  • Communicate with influence, and a proven record of developing and maintaining effective partnerships across an organization and with diverse external clients and other key stakeholders
  • Highly developed advanced oral and written communication, interpersonal and representational skills, and a proven ability to use these skills to prepare and present clear, concise, high quality advice
  • Highly developed leadership and effective management skills, with capacity to initiate, implement and sustain improvements within a team environment, as well as the ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as a member of a team
  • Personal drive and integrity, the ability to self-manage and the capacity to identify and effectively manage risks associated with change, as well recognize and implement ethical standards to highly complex ethical issues
  • Achieving results within tight timelines, and capacity to set and implement new policy directions
  • Highly developed higher organizational skills, including the ability to manage priorities and meet tight deadlines
    • Work Context: 

    Usually work in art galleries, museums, offices and storerooms. May occasionally work in dusty, dirty conditions to sort through old documents. Some storage areas, such as film archive vaults, may be cold, as temperatures are kept low to preserve materials. They also may travel locally, nationally or internationally with exhibitions, or to purchase or borrow items from individuals or other collections

    Education: 

    Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor degree in library, information or archive studies or related field of work/discipline, higher qualification or equivalent.

    Required Work Experience: 

    5 - 7 years and above

    Probable Employers: 

    TDIC, National Council of Tourism & Antiquities, Al Ain Museum, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTC), Dubai Museum

    Occupational Size: 
    Less than 5,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Higher than the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Archivist - Art gallery curator - Museum curator - Records manager
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Conservator - Registrar - Archives director - Manuscripts curator - Collections manager - Museum archivist - Records manager - Historian - Appraisal archivist - Arrangement and description archivist - Digital archivist - Manuscript librarian - Photographic/Film archivist - Reference archivist - Cultural heritage officer - Archaeologist - Arts administrator

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Arts, entertainment, multimedia and ITC applications
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi