Senior Archivist (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

The Senior Archivist supports increased online access to AIATSIS diverse archival collections with a project focus on languages materials. The role identifies, assesses, describes and processes collections to improve their discoverability and accessibility through online discovery platforms. 

The position manages collections through a processing and digitisation pipeline, ensuring priority materials are made available online as efficiently as possible. The role contributes to the development of workflows, procedures and reporting, and provides advice on the ongoing improvement of collection management systems and online discovery platforms to enhance the user experience. 

This position reports to the APS 6 Team Leader Manuscripts.

• undertaking archival description and metadata enhancement activities.
• reprocessing collections to improve access, discoverability and online delivery.
• reassociating disassociated and mixed-format collections to improve collection integrity.
• identifying and prioritising materials for digitisation to support access objectives.
• managing collections through the processing and digitisation pipeline to support timely online access.
• contributing to the continuous improvement of workflows, processes and documentation.
• collecting, analysing and reporting on project data, statistics and outcomes.
• communicating project progress and outcomes in support of AIATSIS strategic priorities via a range of channels such as reporting, newsletters and blogs.

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. You will have practical project management experience.

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

• demonstrated understanding of the role of a major specialist collection in meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and researchers.
• experience working with archival processing and description, including applying archival standards and best practice.
• ability to learn and effectively use collection management systems, specialised metadata, and digital collection workflows.
• demonstrated experience developing, maintaining and monitoring prioritisation frameworks or work plans to support the delivery of project and operational outcomes.
• experience contributing to process improvement and the development of procedures and workflows.
• experience gathering data for project reporting and an understanding of how projects relate to broader strategy and benefits.
• tertiary qualifications in 
  • information management,
  • archival administration,
  • or related fields.
  • transferable skills and extensive experience are also recognised.

Applications close 11.30pm Sunday 27 August 2026.

The successful candidate/s will need to undergo:

• Police check
• 6 month probation

This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under an affirmative measures 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.