Vacancies & Opportunities

Job Title:

Oral History Consultant

Department:

The Rifleman’s Museum, Winchester

Reports To:

Curator, The Rifleman’s Museum

Purpose:

The Rifleman’s Museum is creating a new display and archive which will highlight the contribution of The Rifles to military operations since its formation in 2007.  This display will include stories from riflemen involved in operations, principally in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The museum also wishes to collect some stories from rifle regiment operations before 2007, principally Northern Ireland and the Cold War.

The successful applicant will research, collect, document, and preserve oral histories from riflemen, ensuring these narratives are recorded, archived, and accessible for exhibitions, research, and education.

Key Requirements:

• Oral History Collection
• Identify and liaise with individuals and communities relevant to the museum’s focus for oral history interviews.
• Plan and conduct high-quality, ethical oral history interviews (audio or audiovisual) ensuring interviews are conducted in accordance with professional oral history standards and institutional policies.
• Documentation & Archiving
• Transcribe, summarize, and catalogue oral history interviews.
• Manage metadata entry into the museum’s collections management systems.
• Ensure proper storage, digital backup, and long-term preservation of recorded materials.
• Collaboration & Interpretation
• Work with curators, educators, and exhibition designers to integrate oral histories into displays, publications, and educational programs.
• Contribute to community outreach and engagement through storytelling events or digital content.
• Compliance & Ethics
• Obtain informed consent and manage legal permissions (e.g., copyright, access rights).
• Uphold data protection standards and ethical handling of sensitive material.
• Project Management
• Manage oral history projects from planning to delivery, including budgeting, reporting, and evaluation.
• Coordinate with volunteers, interns, or external interviewers when necessary.
• Help train museum staff and volunteers in oral history collation.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Degree in history, museum studies, anthropology, or related field.
• Experience conducting and managing oral history interviews.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail in documentation and transcription.
• Familiarity with digital audio/video equipment and editing software.
• Understanding of ethical and legal issues related to oral history work.

Desirable:

• Experience working with museums, archives, or cultural heritage institutions.
• Knowledge of collections management systems (e.g., Modes, TMS).
• Ability to speak additional community languages relevant to the museum’s audience.
• Experience in community engagement or participatory research.
• An interest in military history.

Terms:

• Self-employed consultant: 1 Year
• Working Hours: Part time
• Remuneration: £20,000 budget, piece work
• Location: From home

Application Process:

Please submit a CV and some evidence of past oral history work to the Curator at curator@riflemansmuseum.co.uk by 23 January 2026.