Team Leader Manuscripts (Affirmative Measures)

About the Group

The Collections Services Group is responsible for the development, management, preservation and provision of access to the AIATSIS Collection at both Maraga (Canberra) and Mparntwe (Central Australia) sites. The Group manages, describes, preserves, digitises and provides access to the AIATSIS Collection.

About the Program Area

The Collection Management Program sits within the Collection Services Group. Collection Management consists of the Audiovisual and Photographic Unit and the Print and Published Unit. Key operational activities of the program include cataloguing, accessioning, and describing the AIATSIS Audiovisual, Photographic, Manuscript archival and Published collections to enhance discoverability of, and access to, these collections for all Australians. Collection Management works closely with Collection Development and Care, Collection Preservation and Digitisation, and Collection Access teams to support the discoverability and accessibility of the AIATSIS collection for all Australians.

Role Summary

AIATSIS is seeking an experienced Archivist to join the Print and Published team within the Collection Management Program. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in archival management and collection stewardship, applying professional archival principles and standards to support the preservation, organisation, accessibility, and ongoing care of significant collections. This role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the stewardship and accessibility of collections that support the preservation and sharing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and histories. 

The Team Leader leads the development, management and documentation of AIATSIS archival collection materials. The role oversees a team of archivists to assess, accession, catalogue and describe AIATSIS collection material. This position reports to the Assistant Director Collection Management.

• leading collection management and description activities. 
• managing workflow, priorities and team performance. 
• training, mentoring and supervising staff. 
• supporting access to collections through high-quality description and research. 
• managing complex archival collections and legacy collection issues. 
• developing and reviewing policies, standards and procedures. 
• ensuring the appropriate management of culturally sensitive materials. 
• building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 
• supporting business planning and continuous improvement. 
• contributing to the achievement of AIATSIS goals and objectives.

Cultural capability - essential

Roles at AIATSIS require candidates to have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and proven culturally appropriate engagement and communications skills. The nature of this role requires the candidate to consistently demonstrate the following specific cultural capabilities:

• understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the agency and the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering. 
• works in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve shared outcomes.
• communicates respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, clients, and colleagues.
• has an authentic and respectful interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, policy, and implementation matters.

AIATSIS embodies Yindyamarra in everything we do.

Skills, knowledge and personal attributes

To be successful in the role, you will have a demonstrated understanding of the role of a major specialist collection in meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people and researchers. This includes the capacity to learn about Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights, Indigenous cultural protocols and related cultural safety issues.

You will come with the following skills, experience and attributes:

• demonstrated experience as an archivist working in Collection Management and documentation, including collection care, processing and describing archival materials to professional standards and working with collection management systems and processes.
• excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills with internal and external stakeholders on complex matters.
• demonstrated ability to train, motivate, and supervise staff.
• ability to lead effectively in complex and ambiguous environments, identify practical solutions to collection management challenges, and drive outcomes on difficult or legacy issues. 
• ability to contribute to business planning, as well as policy and procedure development.
• tertiary qualifications in 
  • information management, 
  • archival administration, or 
  • related fields. 
  • transferable skills and extensive experience are also recognised.

Applications close 11.30pm Sunday 27 September 2026.

The successful candidate/s will need to undergo:

• Police check
• 6 month probation
• Medical clearance

This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under an affirmative measure and Identified recruitment process. There is 1 position available.

Affirmative Measures positions

Jobs in the APS are open to all Australian citizens. There are some jobs, though, that are open only to specific members of the Australian population. This practice is known as an Affirmative measure and is a targeted strategy to ensure the diversity of the APS workforce reflects the diversity of the Australian population.  

Any job can be restricted to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people only, and it doesn't necessarily have to involve working on Indigenous issues. If a position has been advertised as an Affirmative measure, it will be clearly marked as such.

The use of the Indigenous Affirmative Measures provision at AIATSIS allows for targeted recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the organisation. If you are applying for an Affirmative Measures position, you will need to indicate your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage on our application form and provide confirmation if required. 

What is Cultural Capability? 

As all positions at AIATSIS are ‘Identified’ each position will have various elements of involvement with the delivery of Indigenous specific services, programs, and policies as part of AIATSIS core functions. AIATSIS therefore needs to also identify the cultural knowledge; skills and personal attributes needed to deliver the required outcomes.

Every part of how we work, who we work with and for, requires varying levels of knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, protocols and an understanding of issues that enable effective communication and ultimately effective performance in the role. To assist you in determining the required cultural capabilities of this role, you can refer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability – A Framework for Commonwealth Agencies.