The Collection Development Department collects archives, publications, video and audio material and digital sources pertaining to the theme of employment and employment relations and broader social and socioeconomic themes and social movements. The department consists of seven motivated staff members who work together as a team and each have their own thematic or regional specialty. Our focus is on collecting unique and primary materials from both well-known and established and new organisations and organisational forms and from the persons who work there.

We are currently transitioning from the acquisition of paper sources to digital material and actively strive to enhance the (especially digital) collection development concerning transnational movements and outside western Europe. Our goal is to focus more on themes and narratives that have largely been overlooked in established historiography and on diversity and inclusivity, both in terms of the material we collect and the way in which we collect it.  

The position:

• You develop and execute plans pertaining to collection development, with a particular focus on international organisations and movements.
• You make an innovative contribution to the development of the collection policy.
• You establish and maintain contacts with – mostly foreign – persons and organisations, including well-known organisations with which we have collaborated for years, as well as short-lived transnational web-based networks.
• You develop a network of contacts, correspondents and representatives.
• You handle the reception of the material, sign agreements, record information about the collections and submit this to the processing departments.
• You engage with researchers, users and social partners in order to bring the collection development in sync with research programmes, user wishes and social developments.
• You contribute to the renown and social impact of the collections with presentations and texts, e.g. web, video, social media and by attending and participating in events and exhibits.
• You are part of the Collection Development department team and perform all substantive and practical tasks that entails.

• You are knowledgeable about current global social, economic and political issues and movements.
• You have a broad interest in the IISH’s historical collection field.
• You possess extensive digital skills and are familiar with the use of digital/social media and the way in which social movements utilise these tools.
• You have a knack for collecting and are unafraid to select and make choices.
• You are sensitive in your dealings with persons and organisations with diverse natures and backgrounds.
• You possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and can give captivating presentations.
• You have a talent for organisation and love to lead projects.
• You are flexible, pragmatic and tenacious.
• You can operate both independently and as part of a team. You can make decisions on your own, but also know when it is best to confer with others.
• You have an excellent command of English and preferably Dutch as well. On top of that, you have also mastered a different internationally important language that is relevant to the IISH.
• You have an academic background (MA) in history or another relevant field related to the humanities or social sciences.
• Experience and affinity with collections, heritage and information management in a library or archive context is a plus.

The appointment at the KNAW/IISH has a duration of two years and offers the prospect of a permanent contract. The gross monthly salary lies between €2,588 and €4,757 (salary grade 10/11 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) for a fulltime position, depending on your relevant professional experience and qualifications. The IISH offers attractive secondary employment conditions, including an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, 8% holiday allowance, an excellent pension scheme and six weeks of holiday per year.

Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis (IISG - KNAW)

Het Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis (IISG - KNAW) is een onderzoeksinstituut van de KNAW. Het IISG is wereldwijd een van de meest vooraanstaande onderzoeksinstituten op het terrein van de sociale geschiedenis. Het instituut onderzoekt hoe de werk- en arbeidsverhoudingen zich wereldwijd op de lange termijn ontwikkelen. Hiertoe verzamelt het instituut archieven en data op mondiale schaal. De verbinding tussen onderzoek en collecties draagt sterk bij aan de onderscheidende meerwaarde van het instituut.