Project Manager for Ian Peter Digitisation Project

This position has been filled.

Reports to: Executive Officer, Wikimedia Australia

Duration: Short-term contract (approx 6-9 months) approx. 100 hours total. Start ASAP.

Location: Negotiable (work remotely in Australia) or Brisbane CBD (with the possibility of occasional travel within Australia). Must be legally able to work in Australia.

Partners: Wikimedia Australia and APNIC

Date of posting: October 2024. Applications close 1 November 2024.

Project Overview

The Project Manager will oversee a digitisation project aimed at evaluating and digitising personal papers and records documenting the early days of the internet in Australia. This project is a collaborative effort between Wikimedia Australia and the APNIC Foundation, aiming to preserve and make accessible historical documents that highlight the development and impact of the internet in Australia.

The Ian Peter Archive is a collection of nationally important documents recording a significant time in Australian history. Preserving documents that chronicle the development of the internet in Australia is crucial for understanding the nation's digital evolution, its extension to Southeast Asia and overall role in global connectivity. The records contained in the Ian Peter Archives provide invaluable insights into the technological advancements, policy development, and collaborative efforts that have shaped Australia's internet infrastructure and governance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Management:

Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets.
Coordinate with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and deliverables.
Monitor project progress and make adjustments as necessary to ensure successful completion.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Act as the primary point of contact for Wikimedia Australia, APNIC, and other partners.
Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring their needs and expectations are met.
Organise and lead regular project meetings.

Digitisation Process:

Evaluate and select personal papers and records for digitisation.
Oversee the digitisation process, ensuring high-quality digital copies are produced.
Implement and manage metadata standards for digitised materials.
Facilitate and assist with the upload of digitised materials to Wikimedia Commons.

Quality Assurance:

Ensure all digitised materials meet project standards and quality requirements.
Conduct regular reviews and audits of digitised content.
Address any issues or challenges that arise during the digitisation process.

Documentation and Reporting:

Maintain detailed project documentation, including project plans, meeting minutes, and progress reports.
Prepare and present regular status reports to stakeholders.
Document best practices and lessons learned.

Outreach and Promotion:

Engage with the community to raise awareness of the project and its significance
Develop and implement strategies to promote the digitised materials to the public.
Coordinate with Wikimedia Australia and APNIC to ensure materials are accessible on appropriate platforms.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in Information Management, Library Science, History, or a related field.
Proven experience in project management, particularly in digitisation or archival projects.
Strong understanding of digitisation processes, standards, and best practices.

Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of Wikimedia Commons and other Wikimedia platforms; such as Wikipedia.
Project management certification or on-the-job experience.
Knowledge of Australian internet history and key information involved in its development.

Skills and Competencies:

Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment.
Flexibility to work remotely and adapt to different time zones and schedules.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Proficiency with project management software and tools.
Familiarity with metadata standards and digital archiving systems.

Experience:

Demonstrated experience managing similar digitisation or archival projects.
Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including community organisations and technical partners.
Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.

Attributes:

Passion for preserving historical records and making them accessible to the public.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Understanding of the principles of equality and diversity and the ability to apply and promote these in practice at work.
Commitment to the goals and values of Wikimedia Australia and APNIC.

The successful applicant is required to adhere to and comply with Wikimedia Australia and APNIC’s organisational policies, including but not limited to Occupational Health & Safety, Diversity & Equity, Travel and any other relevant guidelines and procedures.

Conditions

Wikimedia Australia does not have a physical office and requires staff to work remotely and to bring their own technology (laptop, phone, internet connection, etc). Staff and committee members are located around the country. This position will require remote working, flexible hours and occasional travel for meetings and events within Australia.

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact: Belinda Spry belinda.spry@wikimedia.org.au (Executive Officer).

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter including a brief statement outlining their suitability for the role and a brief project proposal outlining their approach to managing the digitisation project (maximum 2 pages) and their resume.

Applications should be sent to staff@wikimedia.org.au by 1 November 2024.