Governance Manager and Advisory Council Secretary

Based within the Chief Executive and Keeper’s Office, the Governance Manager delivers a range of activities to support The National Archives’ corporate governance function and the Keeper’s statutory responsibilities and provides dedicated lead professional secretariat support to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives (ACNRA), and its subcommittee, The Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research.

The Advisory Council is chaired by the Master of the Rolls and is an advisory non-departmental public body reporting to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It is currently made up of 17 experts with knowledge and experience at senior level in: archives, digital archives, academic research, information management, social and cultural history, parliament, law and the civil service. Members of the Council are recruited through the public appointments process and usually include former senior civil servants, former senior diplomats, QCs and senior academics. The Council provides independent advice to the Secretary of State for DCMS on issues relating to access to public records and represents the public interest in deciding what records should be transferred to The National Archives open or closed.

The Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research, also chaired by the Master of the Rolls, is a subcommittee of the Advisory Council. It provides a means through which The National Archives’ Chief Executive and Keeper, in their capacity as Historical Manuscripts Commissioner, can seek advice about activity relating specifically to independently held archives. It also provides expert advice and challenge to The National Archives on its work with the archives sector, as well as a place for discussion about academic research issues. In addition to the Council members serving on the Forum, the Forum includes members with specific expertise in academic research and/or knowledge and experience of independent archives. The Manorial & Tithe Documents Panel reports into the Forum. It has responsibility for advising on manorial and tithe document rules as well as the promotion of these rules and the importance of these documents.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site.

We would particularly like to encourage applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in archives, including those who identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+), from Black, Asian and minority ethnic cultural backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.

How to apply:

To submit your application please click the ‘Apply now’ button on this page. You will be asked to complete a CV section and write a personal statement. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section so please make full use of the 1250 word count.

SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role and requires that you have lived in the UK for the last 3 years. The length of required residency may depend on individual circumstances.

Essential criteria:

• Substantial experience of working in a corporate governance or secretariate role, with excellent organisational skills and a proven ability to manage committee meetings and associated business.

• Substantial experience in, or a demonstrably strong understanding of issues relating to Freedom of Information and access to information.
• Sound judgement, based on an expert understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Advisory Council and/or a strong understanding of the role played in Government by similar advisory bodies.
• Substantial experience of forming strong and effective working relationships with internal and external senior stakeholders and using initiative to solve problems and broker solutions.
• Strong engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, gained through significant interaction with senior-level internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity, coupled with strong Political awareness and a proven ability to deal with sensitive material.
• Excellent written skills, including the ability to present complex information concisely and with good attention to detail.
   

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of the Advisory Council’s governance structures and relationship with The National Archives and DCMS.
• Policy research and report writing experience. 

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Job contact :

• Name : The Recruitment Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02039855979

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk