Job Vacancy: Communications Coordinator

This part-time role will require somebody to be responsible for the promotion and communications aspects of a National Lottery Heritage Funded Project related to engagement with Islamic art and material culture in UK collections.  The project involves working with heritage institutions with collections of Islamic art, and using such collections to engage new audiences, partially by involving local communities in curating and interpreting such collections.

The project’s aims are to improve understanding of heritage collections, improve access and engagement, promote social inclusion, and raise awareness about the Muslim heritage of Britain through its art collections. It will also raise awareness about Islamic art in general, using art collections to introduce Britons to Muslim culture in richer, more meaningful ways.

The three-year project will achieve these aims by disbursing community grants to 3 applicants per year, providing each grantee with mentorship, technical support and assistance, and access to local networks, publicity and promotion.

Purpose of this Role:

To help ensure that the different project components identified in the project work plan come together effectively. This will take place mainly by promoting the heritage projects supported as part of this scheme to diverse audiences and using these projects as an opportunity for public engagement, including digital engagement, through blog and social media posts, Instagram stories and curated series, webinars and podcasts.

Such initiatives will build upon the experience of The Barakat Trust and its lead partner on this project, The Islamic Art and Material Culture Subject Specialist Network. The post holder will also develop the communications profile and presence of these two organisations, and promote their activities through newsletters, mailouts, social media, blog posts, website updates, etc.

The aim of this role is to connect and communicate with diverse audiences, to showcase and raise awareness about UK Islamic art collections by working with three projects per year for three years. By raising the profile of these projects. it aims to instil a sense of pride in local community groups of Muslim heritage, and among participants in the project irrespective of their cultural backgrounds.