The National HIV Story Trust is excited to open applications for someone to join our HIVstory project on a paid archives placement.
Full details on the role and how to apply are below.
NHST Archive Placement
Role: Archive Placement – The NHST Engagement Project: HIVStory
Location: The London Archives (TLA)
Reports to: HIVstory Project Manager and Engagement Manager TLA
Archives Placement Opportunity
This is a new, exciting and unique opportunity for anyone interested in archives, public engagement, heritage, and specifically the history of HIV and wider LGBTQ+ cultures and community. The placement would be useful to anyone considering a career in archives or who has recently completed relevant training or study.
The placement will work 28 hours per week for 6 months as part of NHST’s ‘HIVstory’ project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Two days per week will be spent at The London Archives, with other days spent working remotely or at other archive and heritage sites. Regular working hours will be weekdays between 9 and 5, but some evening and weekend work may be necessary.
Placement Focus
The successful applicant will work closely with the NHST archive founder, Paul Coleman, to capture the background to the making of the collection (more information below), using this research to create additional contextual material. This activity will contribute to a better understanding of the collection, provide more research tools for archive users and be key in ensuring the future legacy of the National HIV Story Trust.
The placement also offers more general experience of:
- Working with and interpreting heritage collections in a professional setting.
- Collecting oral histories (film or voice recording).
- Developing and delivering effective heritage-based community events
- The principles of effective communication through the creation of materials, including
- exhibition planning and effective display
- Making presentations in person and online
- Creating a regular blog
- The placement will also introduce the wider work of the archive in different departments and offer networking opportunities with other institutions and practitioners.
Employee benefits package
- 30 days of leave (pro-rata including public holidays)
- Flexible working options
- Training and development opportunities
- Total fee for the role is £9,307.20, invoiced for in monthly installments
Applicant Requirements
Essential
- Verifiable interest in archive-based work including research, outreach and engagement
- Excellent organisational skills
- The ability to work well with others
- Good communication skills
- Clear ambition to pursue a heritage-based career
- Experience in creating effective written information
Desirable
- Skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Knowledge and understanding of the history of HIV and people’s lived experience
- A demonstrable willingness to take on new challenges and opportunities
About NHST
The NHST’s key activities are:
- The Archive: collecting stories and interviews through filmed material to ensure the events of the last 40 years are recorded and not lost.
- Engagement events: presentations to groups ranging from corporates to community groups, sharing materials and letting people hear the first-person testimony recorded in our interviews. Our long-term aim has always been to reach groups beyond the LGBTQ+ community.
- Volunteering programme: to work with a team of volunteers involving them in all aspects of the archive’s work including community outreach, communications and social media, groups and events.
In addition, we are looking to expand our ‘story telling’ work through use of the archived interviews in media, film, student research, medical education and the arts. Creating events that bring people affected by HIV together in order to help with the feelings of isolation and loneliness through shared experience and storytelling is of great importance. Sadly there is still much misunderstanding and prejudice against those affected by HIV and this is something we wish to change.
Visit: https://www.nhst.org.uk, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma and www.hivstory.org.uk
Further Information
This opportunity will support anyone wishing to work in heritage outreach and engagement.
The NHST project is focused on the history of HIV and the lived experience of survivors, family members and medical professionals. It is required that those applying for the placement can show commitment and interest in this specific area, as well as a wider interest in heritage work.
Application notes
Please email a CV and cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the requirements to [email protected]
Closing date: September 12 2025, 10am
Interview Date: September 22 2025, at The London Archives
Expected start date: w/c October 6 2025 (subject to agreement)
The NHST believes in equality in employment and we therefore welcome applications from all members of the community, irrespective of age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex and sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status.
The National HIV Story Trust is a registered charity – Number: 1185923
