Description
The Air Historical Branch (RAF) is a small in-house team that supports the work of Ministers, the MoD, RAF, Air Staff and Air Headquarters among others.
As the official historians of the RAF, the Branch maintains the RAF's central physical and digital archive and photographic collections, ranging from 1912 to the present day.
The Historical Records Officer is central to the output and public face of the Air Historical Branch (RAF). They undertake a range of tasks which are central to Branch business.
The post holder must be hard working and well-motivated. They must be able to analyse evidence effectively to produce accurate and concise pieces of work.
The post holder must be capable of effective communications, both orally and in writing, to respond to customers drawn from within and beyond defence.
The postholder must display a willingness to work with and assist other members of the Main Office and the Branch, when necessary, particularly in responding to FOIA requests and answering public enquiries.
The role may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments.
Responsibilities:
- Answering historical enquiries often requires analysis and examination of diverse sources to produce a cogent response within 20 working days.
- The postholder will ensure that replies maintain professional standards and are compliant with MOD and government policy.
- More complex enquiries will include the requests for clarification of Record of Service documents for RAF personnel, analysing each document to provide clarification and address the queries of each enquirer.
- The important requirement to draft responses for FOIA requests will involve gaining a familiarity with the Act, an understanding of digital redaction techniques and displaying an ability to work within the 20 working days statutory response time mandated by the Act.
- The postholder will also work with the Branch Document Archivist on quality checking Form 540 (Operations Record Books) submissions from RAF units.
- On occasions, this will involve the postholder drafting recommendations for the Head of Branch to issue to units.
- There will be the opportunity for the postholder to participate in some RAF casualty identification work and to assess often detailed and extensive evidence to arrive at a recommendation for the Senior Researcher.
- There may be occasional outreach activities to represent the Branch and provide advice to stakeholders.
- In due course, the postholder may have Line Management responsibilities for a Branch Assistant Knowledge Officer.
Person specification: Essential:
- A degree in History or a related discipline
- Strong organisational and research skills
- An interest in RAF history and heritage
- Experience maintaining, updating and revising records and databases
Desirable:
- Some understanding of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Some familiarity with RAF records
- Experience of line management
- Some knowledge of the technology applicable for the Freedom of Information Act redaction process.
Benefits:
- Salary of £30,740 per year
- Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- 25 days paid annual leave rising to 30 days on completion of 5 years' service plus leave for HM The King's birthday
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave