Archivist

Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Compensation: $70,000-$75,000

The Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada is a non-profit organization led by a board of directors comprising the elected leaders of the four land-claims settlement regions: Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Nunavut. Our organizational history stretches back to the late 1970s.  As with other small NGOs we have collected and preserved our work over the decades in the form of physical documents, photographs, audio and videos, and even film. Most recently our documents have been in electronic and digital forms. Help us preserve and promote our corporate memory, and in doing so bring the Inuit voice to the international community. If you thrive on challenge and want to make a difference for Inuit across the circumpolar world, this is a great opportunity.

Description and Duties    

The ideal candidate should be well versed both in the field of archives and possess knowledge of the Inuit community, domestically in Canada, and preferably in the circumpolar Arctic as well. This is a one-year contract with the possibility of extension to develop our archives from the ground up.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, arranges and describes archival collections in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
• Creates internal and online finding aids using contemporary tools in accordance with accepted archival standards, and for the Inuit community.
• Develops and implements procedures for the acquisition, processing, digitization, and preservation of archival materials.
• Recommend and coordinate acquisition for equipment, software, and supplies necessary to support on-going digitization efforts.
• Interacts with donors of archival collections both internal and external to the organization.
• Appraises potential collection additions and makes recommendations for acquisition of new collections and de-accessioning of existing collections, relevant to the ICC Inuit community.
• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and standards for the archives.
• Supervises and trains lower level staff, students, volunteers, as appropriate.
• Promotes collections through online exhibits, publications, presentations, instructional sessions, and other outreach activities.
• Participates in the collection of oral histories as appropriate.
• Maintains professional knowledge base and skills through continued education.
• Provides guidance in identifying and soliciting funds, including grant proposal writing.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications - Knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of the Inuit community within Canada, and in the circumpolar Arctic.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills (primarily in English; Inuktitut and/or French an asset).
• Skill in the use of computer with Windows-based operating environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain finding aids using contemporary archival tools.
• Knowledge of archival and preservation concepts, methodology, and techniques.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to effectively communicate and foster a cooperative work environment.
• Substantial knowledge of research methodology and skill in providing research assistance.
• Knowledge of archival ethics and laws relating to archival management.
• Knowledge of the historical contexts governing archival operations.
• Ability to make evaluative judgments.
• Knowledge of automated storage and retrieval systems, electronic records, and electronic publications.
• Ability to supervise and train employees or volunteers, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Skill in searching and maintaining online and other electronic retrieval systems.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.
• Knowledge of library theory, concepts, methods, and techniques.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Knowledge of available sources of archival materials.
• Ability to assess objectives and operational requirements and to develop and implement suitable operational policies and/or procedures.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree; at least five years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
• Previous experience working with Indigenous research methodologies, systematic literature review, scholarly information and research methods would be an asset.
• Preferred: Master of Archival Studies (MAS) or a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS). Other background in a library, archives or cultural heritage may be considered.

Other Information:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment including frequent use of computer;
• Limited exposure to physical risk;
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 50 pounds and some standing or walking;
• Must have proof of COVID-19 vaccination;

Application information

Applicants who are a Beneficiary under a Land Claims Agreement will be given priority hiring. We encourage applicants to self-identify.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for their interest in ICC; however, only those selected will be contacted.

Please send a cover letter and resume to the attention of:

Jocelyne Durocher, Financial and HR Director, ICC Canada
email: jdurocher@inuitcircumpolar.com or apply online

Application Webpage (URL): www.inuitcircumpolar.com
Application Deadline: May 27, 2022