We are the official archive for the UK government, and for England and Wales. From the Domesday book to cabinet ministers’ tweets, The National Archives catalogue, conserve and safe-guard our public records for everybody. But, we are not just about the records. We are also about the people in them. The events they document, the stories they capture.
As Interpretation Developer it is your job to tell these stories, to make meaningful connections between our audiences and our collection. You will do this by developing and delivering high quality interpretation projects, working collaboratively with a variety of designers and specialists crafting visitor experiences across traditional and innovative formats. Our goal is to change the way people think about Archives.
Person specification
Essential
- Experience of working within exhibitions or interpretation in a cultural, commercial or visitor attraction setting and an understanding of the changes occurring within these;
- Experience of working with a variety of audiences needs crafting engagement experiences that exceed their expectations;
- Experience of planning, coordinating and delivering high-profile initiatives for diverse audiences within the cultural heritage sector;
- To be flexible and supportive, able to cope with change as the demands of the project develop;
- Excellent interpersonal skills building positive relationships comfortable working as a member of a multidisciplinary team and working independently;
- A confident writer, able to communicate complex ideas in simple terms for a variety of audiences;
- Understanding of digital content to blend on and off-site experiences;
- Have a passion for creating amazing experiences for visitors, to enjoy creative problem solving and crafting collection based experiences on and off site. Be able to think clearly and deliver a little of the unexpected!
Desirable
- Knowledge of the archive sector
- Experience working with audience segmentation models
- Experience of creating visitor experiences beyond traditional exhibition formats
Sponsorship: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
Application Process
Interview:
Interviews will be held on-site in July 2026. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation.
Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement of about 750 words, addressing the following 3 criteria:
- Experience of working within exhibitions or interpretation in a cultural, commercial or visitor attraction setting and an understanding of the changes occurring within these;
- Experience of working with a variety of audiences needs crafting engagement experiences that exceed their expectations;
- Experience of planning, coordinating and delivering high-profile initiatives for diverse audiences within the cultural heritage sector.
Selection for interview will be based on these essential requirements so please ensure that your application demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
The full list of essential criteria will be assessed at interview stage.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £33,784, The National Archives contributes £9,787 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers.
This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact The National Archives via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window).
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/.
Attachments
Job Description - Interpretation Developer - Opens in new window (docx, 37kB)
