The Palestinian Museum

Job opportunity: Deputy Director of Content

Deadline for applications: January 30, 2018

The Palestinian Museum
Museum Street (off Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Street)
Birzeit
Palestine

T +970 2 294 1948
F +970 2 294 1936
info@palmuseum.org

www.palmuseum.org
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Job title: Deputy Director of Content
Employment terms: Full-time
Location: The Palestinian Museum, Birzeit
Application deadline: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Background
The Palestinian Museum is a cultural institution, dedicated to promoting an open and dynamic Palestinian culture at the national and international levels. The Museum contributes to producing narratives about the history, culture and society of Palestine, and provides an incubator for creative ventures and innovative educational programmes and research. The Museum is one of the most exciting new cultural projects in Palestine and is a flagship project of Taawon (Welfare Association), a leading non-governmental Palestinian organisation whose mission is to further the progress of Palestinians, preserving their heritage and identity, supporting their living culture and building civil society. 

Reporting to the Museum Director, the Deputy Director of Content is responsible for the overall content development and curatorial programming for the newly-established the Palestinian Museum. Working closely with the Museum’s Director and executive management team, the Deputy Director of Content will help define and lead the Museum on the strategic vision for its collections, exhibitions, programmes, publications, conservation, scholarship, research, library and archives. (S)he will help shape and implement the policies and procedures that govern the units under his/ her responsibility. The Museum’s Deputy Director of Content will become an active participant in Ramallah’s cultural and artistic scene. 

Responsibilities

It is expected that the Deputy Director of Content will be an inspiring team leader and will:

Content 
–Define and build the intellectual core of the Museum 
–Support the Museum Director to establish a strategic direction and oversee its implementation to achieve the vision and mission of the Museum
–Direct the Content Department including collections, exhibitions, library, archives, and conservation
–Propose and curate select exhibitions
–Guide the scholarship, research, publications and digital initiatives to ensure programmatic excellence
–Exercise editorial direction over the creation of information presented on the Museum’s website and all other digital media
–Communicate the content objectives of the Museum both internally and externally
–Collaborate on positioning the Museum on the international stage and partner with peer museums to programme new exhibitions and travelling exhibitions and research
–Lead on the engagement of external scholars and practitioners in Palestine and elsewhere in the development of the Museum’s narratives and collections
–Embrace technology to aid the Museum in capturing international audiences and Palestinians in the diaspora
–Provide inspirational community leadership to enhance the visibility of the Museum as a platform for cultural, social and civic engagement amongst the widest possible audience
–Represent the Museum through public programmes, teaching, guest lectures, and presentations
 
Management 
–Develop policies and procedures for the Content Department, working closely with managers and the Museum Director
–Develop the department structure and ensure appropriate human resources to support the Museum’s mission
–Provide direct oversight of the members of the department as to the performance of their duties, their efficacy, and their adherence to all appropriate policies, practice and directives
–Provide support and development opportunities to department staff including mentoring and coaching, ensuring a positive and creative work environment
–Prepare short and long-term goals and reports summarising the work, strategies and achievement against the goals 
–Ensure all administration of contracts and invoices for external consultants and suppliers are produced, approved, and processed working with legal, procurement and finance units
–Prepare the department budget working closely with other Museum units and monitor performance
–Contribute to the preparation of grant applications in support of content related programmes and initiatives
–In collaboration with the Museum Director and development team, support fundraising initiatives

The Individual
Qualifications and Experience
–Hold an MA or PhD in the arts or humanities
–Have 5 to 10-years experience in a curatorial management role
–Deep knowledge of the visual arts, heritage and the cultural sectors locally, regionally and internationally
–Good contacts and working relationships with people in the art,heritage and culture scenes locally, regionally and internationally
–Experience in managing people and leading teams
–Experience working with living artists on projects including exhibitions and commissions
–Understanding of museum collection management standards and processes
–Demonstrated research skills adding to the body of knowledge in his/her specialist area
–Strong written, presentation and communication skills
–Familiar with research methodologies and ability to write for peer reviewed journals in areas of expertise
–Fluency in Arabic and English
–Proficiency with database software and Microsoft Office software
–Embrace Taawon’s vision and mission to further the progress of Palestinians, preserving their heritage and identity and supporting their living culture and building civil society 

Personal Characteristics
–An inspirational leader and team builder that can work within existing means
–A creative thinker that can understand the challenges of working “under the occupation”
–Personal integrity; respected in the cultural community
–Collaborative, open minded and consultative
–Excellent organisational and time management skills
–An individual who is or will become a resident of Ramallah and an important part of the community

Interested candidates may submit their applications here, by Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Incomplete applications will be disregarded and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.