Project Manager – Object Stories & Journeys

Role Opportunity & Context

Turquoise Mountain and MultakaOxford, in partnership through the Alwaleed Cultural Network, are seeking a pro-active and dynamic Project Manager to spearhead the pilot phase of an exciting new project.

The Project Manager will work with Turquoise Mountain Trust and MultakaOxford at Oxford University History of Science and Pitt Rivers Museums. These two organisations are both members of the newly-formed Alwaleed Cultural Network (ACN), an online platform that brings together a range of cultural and academic entities to connect people and ideas around the world.

www.alwaleedculturalnetwork.org/en/

www.turquoisemountain.org

www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/multaka-oxford

As part of its wider activities, the ACN is supporting an exciting new online exhibition and archive portal, with both visual and audio content. This will create a platform for artists, artisans, creatives and cultural commentators to share the cultural meaning of objects and their relevance to identity, specifically within the context of settling in new communities. The objects will be both artistic and functional, and either historic objects or newly-made. The working title is Object Stories & Journeys.

The Project Manager will oversee and manage the delivery of the online exhibition and archive, shaping the exhibitions early development over the pilot phase period, ensuring the highest quality content and excellence and beauty of user experience. Working with Turquoise Mountain and MultakaOxford teams, they will work within the ACN network to bring artisans, artists and creators to the forefront to themes of identity and the cultural meaning and relevance of objects for people who have journeyed from their original homes to live in a new place. The successful candidate will work to and further develop an existing concept, with support from engaged and committed partners, and with secured funding for the pilot project phase.

The project goals are:

• To provide a platform that centres local voices and self-definition of identity through cultural objects and heritage;

• To explore and present dynamic and contemporary definitions of cultural identity;

• To highlight the creative and cultural significance of objects and their human stories;

• To explore and present the meaning of cultural identity alongside movement and migration; and

• To enable consultation for Phases Two and Three.

  Candidate Profile

  Essential

• Extensive experience of managing, leading, and coordinating inclusive person-led programmes with cross-cultural and diverse communities

• Experience of planning and delivering projects related to culture and/or heritage

• Excellent communication skills, including the capacity to write in clear, plain English,

  deliver presentations and write reports

• Significant experience, initiative and capacity to manage a programme’s long-term strategy and vision whilst also coordination and delivering the day-to-day activities

• Capacity to interact with colleagues effectively as part of a team, and to report and interact with stakeholders and communities in a range of settings.

• Proven experience in budget management, monitoring and evaluation. Desirable

• Lived experience of moving and settling in another country

• Experience of working with people who have experienced migration

• Ability to speak languages other than English

  Role Description

  Outreach & Community Liaison

• Connect with communities and individuals within the MultakaOxford and Turquoise Mountain (and ACN global partner) networks to identify contributors for the online exhibition.

• Develop a wider network to ensure a wider reach for the exhibition

• Coordinate with contributors to capture interviews (video and audio) and images

• Bring together focus groups to review potential content and curatorial approaches and give feedback and ensure participatory development of the platform; and consult on the future phases in developing an archive and research resource

• Coordinate recording and delivery of all digital content from contributors around the world, with an immediate focus on the communities of MultakaOxford and Turquoise Mountain.

Content Development

• Bring together and collate exhibition content, working with sound, video and image engineers to ensure high quality and uniform content for the exhibition.
• Work with web partners to lead, develop and maintain of the online platform and ensure day-to-day technical development and excellence of content.
• Oversee phased delivery of exhibition elements and ensure content and exhibition is fully accessible across the world.

Communications

• Liaise with ACN communications team to develop exhibition launch, communications plan and communication channels and content.
• Capture and share the development of the project through regular public-facing communication (through digital / social media platforms).
• Use effective communication strategies for team updates and coordination. Project Delivery &

Administration

• Oversee the day-today administration and coordination of the project and regularly liaise with project partners to reflect and update on progress.
• Develop process and procedures that support and enables transparent selection and structure for contributors, and develop and maintain a risk management framework.
• Commission and work closely with an evaluator to develop an impact assessment framework and document outcomes.
• Coordinate the project’s deliverables in accordance with the agreed project workplan and regularly report to project stakeholders.
• Manage the project’s budget and liaise with Turquoise Mountain administration to ensure compliance with organizational policies and processes.

Contract Terms

The role will be a home-working based in the UK, with the Project Manager ideally based within easy access of London and Oxford.

In the first pilot phase of activity, the contract is on a consultancy basis for 8 calendar months, working the equivalent hours of 16 working days per calendar month (flexible to the successful candidate’s preference, based on a 7.5 hour working day). If the project is successful, the position will continue through successive project phases.

The consultancy fee offered for this role is £2,700 per calendar month, based on 16 working days or 120 hours per month.

The successful candidate will be accountable and in regular contact with partner team members at MultakaOxford and Turquoise Mountain. The financial administration of the project will be through Turquoise Mountain’s UK team. Administrative support will also be provided through Turquoise Mountain Trust’s UK team.

Local and some international travel will be required.

The role is for an immediate start.