Project Editor/Coordinator Job Description: Spalding Victoria County History Group

The Spalding Victoria County History Group is a group of volunteer local history enthusiasts living in and around Spalding who are undertaking research to produce the first history of the town of Spalding since the 1940s. The chosen format for the published work is the Victoria County History (VCH) ‘short’ in one or two volumes. The VCH aims to complete authoritative, encyclopaedic histories of each county, from the earliest archaeological records to the present day, as well as topics such as topography, landscape and the built environment. Some VCH volumes were published over a century ago, while others are now in progress or planned for the future. https://www.history.ac.uk/research/victoria-county-history  . This project has the full support of the Institute for Historical Research (IHR), the University of Lincoln and Spalding Gentlemen’s Society who provide additional technical and academic support to the project as required. 

Job Summary

We wish to recruit a Project Editor/Coordinator whose main role will be the compilation and initial editing of the volume(s). The role will also involve identification of the research group’s training needs in order to produce material that meets VCH standard for publication and the coordination of a training programme together with expert input as appropriate. The successful candidate will report directly to and be responsible to the VCH Project Board. Renumeration will be made under a part time self-employed contract. The initial period of employment will be one year with a possible extension to three years.

Key Tasks

• The compilation and initial editing of all material produced for the VCH of Spalding.
• To keep a register of volunteers within GDPR rules and regulations
• To give guidance to the group on the requirements of VCH research and methodology whilst adhering to the VCH ‘short’ format
• To foster a sense of group purpose and motivation whilst adhering to the project timeline in order to see the project through to completion
• To identify training requirements and to assist with the development and delivery of training programmes, study days and workshops to assist the volunteers with writing and researching the history of Spalding 
• To help develop systems of generalist and specialist support for the group [ i.e. a volunteer handbook or guide, meetings, email and telephone research] 
• To give individual support to volunteers engaged on priority research where/if timelines are critical
• To support students undertaking academic placement who may be involved with the project
• To monitor the project website and database ensuring that all material produced for the project is collated and managed and accessible for future use 
• To ensure the project runs according to the agreed project design, identify potential project timeline risks and take appropriate action where necessary.
• To produce regular reports for the VCH Project Board and the Academic Steering Group updating on progress and identifying any issues that may affect completion of the project
• To contribute to the post project review identifying any learning points and possible improvements to the process.

Person Specification

Qualifications: Education to MA/PhD in a relevant discipline and experience of production of academic material (published books or articles) based on the use of original archival research skills.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience of teaching or coaching adult learners
• Experience of planning and completing multiple tasks to agreed deadlines
• Experience of editing historical research for publication

Desirable:

• Experience of having written or edited material for VCH publications
• Knowledge, interest or familiarity of the Fenlands and/or the County of Lincolnshire

Skills

Essential:

• Experience of developing and maintaining programme data databases
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Self-motivation and the ability to work under minimal supervision and make timely robust decisions for the issues for which they have responsibility
• Flexible attitude to working environment and ability to work as part of a team.

Job Type: Part time, 1-2 days per week, self-employed contract.

Salary: £40 per hour.

Work Location: Willingness and ability to travel to Spalding on a regular basis (anticipated to be no more than one day per week) to meet with the research group. Additional ‘in person’ hours will be required for the running of workshops and study days.

Travel and subsistence: An allowance toward travel and subsistence costs when visiting Spalding to work on the VCH project will be available.

Reporting: The Project Coordinator will report to the VCH Project Board and the VCH Academic Steering Group.

Contact Details: For further information please contact the following: Mrs Sue Hughes at susan.hughes@sgsoc.org

Application: A copy of your CV and a covering letter detailing suitability and reasons for wishing to undertake this position should be forwarded to: Mrs Sue Hughes at susan.hughes@sgsoc.org