JOB DESCRIPTION: Unfinished Histories Administrator
About Us
Unfinished Histories is a small-scale arts charity dedicated to preserving, researching, documenting and sharing the history of alternative and experimental theatre in London from the 1960s to the 1990s. It has been going since 2007. During 2024-26 it is producing, with partners including London Performance Studios, the project FYFFI, Fifty Years of the Fight for Inclusion to mark key moments in the struggles for change in British theatre in the post-war era through a rolling programme of events. 2024 focused on the 50th anniversary of the first Women’s Theatre Festival, 2025 on the first Gay Theatre Festival in Britain in 1975, and 2026 on the anniversary of the publication of Naseem Khan’s ground-breaking report The Arts Britain Ignores by the Commission for Racial Equality in 1976. It also maintains a major web site, a physical archive of the field, and runs other events and collaborations. UH maintains an office in South Bermondsey and a registered address in Hackney where it also has a history of local collaboration.
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Administrator to join our team and contribute to our mission of preserving this important history.
This position is offered on a freelance basis, in the first instance for four months (18 weeks) based on an average of three days a week at a fee of £8100, extendable subject to confirmation of funding and successful completion of probationary period. The organisation is in the early stages of a process of expansion and anticipates a role which moves to a more permanent status. The position will be based in part at South Bermondsey, with some working from home possible. Some travel around the UK may be required on occasion.
The administrator reports to the Director and under guidance from the UH Trustees
Given the focus on this and next year’s work, we are particularly encourage applications from candidates who identify as LGBTQ+ / Global Majority appointee.
Responsibilities ideally include:
Answering enquiries via ufhcontact@gmail.com or as requested by the Director.
Keeping financial records, assembling materials for accountants and other needs
Financial and contractual administration relating to employment where applicable and payment to freelancers
Helping maintain and establish new, where required, filing systems and records for documenting UH’s own activities, for office use, and in the case alternative theatre or related archive material, for addition to UH’s existing archives collections (housed at Bishopsgate Institute)
Maintaining records of items loaned from UH Bishopsgate collections or elsewhere for digitisation, exhibition / event use etc and corresponding with lenders.
Digitising material and helping maintain, catalogue and further organise UH digital archives.
Clearing rights when required.
Fulfilling orders via UH online shop, as required.
Helping outline, publicise and supervise volunteer projects and payment of expenses where relevant. Helping organise training, where necessary.
Taking Minutes at UH Board and other committee meetings.
Helping produce UH newsletters on Mailchimp, up to 6 times a year. Updating mailing lists
Helping develop and maintain UH social media presence.
Assist in the preparation of publications and web content including transcribing scripts and other documents, where required.
Helping update the Unfinished Histories web site through the creation of new pages and updating of existing pages.
Helping organise and produce UH events programme and individual events, in conjunction with FYFFI partners.
Support and help implement fundraising campaigns where required.
This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may should be willing to undertake other duties as may reasonably requested from time to time.
What we are looking for
The candidate will be able to work on their own initiative and possess good attention to detail and organisational skills. They will preferably have previous experience of working in the arts or heritage sector, good IT skills and be capable and confident dealing with a wide range of individuals, enquiries and collaborating organisations. The ideal candidate is passionate and driven, with a thirst for learning and a keen eye for detail. They will have an interest in alternative theatre practice and history and are likely to have experience in the field and/or in archives and event production. The post may suit a person returning to work following a career break.
Advantageous
A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent
IT skills, including Web site updating/design
Audio visual editing
Knowledge of the field
Application deadline: 6pm, Thursday 8th May
Please submit a CV with a covering letter ensuring you give specific examples to support your claims in relation to the role, and give names and emails for 2 referees. (These will not be taken up in advance of an offer being made) To be sent to ufhcontact@gmail.com with Job Application and your name in subject line.
Interview dates: First-round interviews on Zoom with the Director 12th May.
Second-round interviews to take place in person at Unfinished Histories office (Penarth Centre, Penarth St, London SE15 1TR) Fri 16th May
Start date: To start as soon as possible after success of application.
Unfinished Histories is an Equal Opportunities organisation. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and encourage applications from People of Colour, d/Deaf and disabled people, and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Positive action may be used in the recruitment process to select a candidate from a group that is disadvantaged or underrepresented in our workforce if the candidates in question are of equal merit.
We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role and will work with our staff to implement reasonable adjustments as required. However, unfortunately, our current workplace is on the first floor without lift access.
If you require this job pack in an alternative format, please email us at ufhcontact@gmail.com or call on 07425 178058.