Archivist, General Public Archives — Digitization & Access

International Committee of the Red Cross; Genf; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Committee of the Red Cross is seeking an Archivist General Public Archives to oversee and develop the General Public Archives, covering 1863-1975. The role supports research, provides guidance on collections, and acts as ambassador for archival holdings.

You will collaborate with librarians and archivists, manage access policies, contribute to digitization efforts, and help ensure long-term preservation and utilization of ICRC archival heritage.

Qualifications

• University degree in archival science, history or other relevant fields
• Minimum 6 to 9 years of professional experience including in managing archives
• Knowledge of ISAD/G and RiC norms for archival description
• Knowledge of practices and trends in archival management and preservation
• Knowledge of archival management systems
• Good knowledge of the history of the ICRC and humanitarian action
• Knowledge of digital humanities an asset

Responsibilities

• Oversees and develops the fonds and repositories of the General Public Archives, covering the period 1863-1975.
• Ensures structure and coherence in the organization of files and series in the fonds of the General Public Archives.
• Ensures that every loan made to the General Public Archives is recorded and can be traced.
• Contributes to the strategic orientation and development of the General Public Archives services.
• Analyses the content of the General Public Archives and creates detailed inventories in accordance with ISAD(G) and RiC rules and standards as well as respective metadata structures and content.
• Supports and substitutes the archivist in charge of conservation and preservation to ensure the physical upkeep and longevity of the General Public Archives.
• Contributes to discussions and participates in working groups relating to the role, services, needs and plans relating to the General Public Archives as well as the other archives and library services.
• Generates statistics and provides qualitative analyses on the use of the General Public Archives.
• Supports the preparation of the next opening of classified archives (period covering 1976-1985).
• Handles research queries and provides advice and methodological guidance on the structure, content, context and functioning of the General Public Archives to internal and external users.
• Receives researchers and visitors based on the rules governing access to the archives
• Collaborates with colleagues in charge of the other archival holdings and repositories (Tracing Archives, Audiovisual Archives, Classified Archives, Library) and research services of the ICRC.
• Contributes towards the development and critical reflection on methodological issues pertaining to the constitution and valorization of the General Public Archives and other archival holdings for scientific and other purposes.
• Contributes to the promotion / valorization of the General Public Archives, including through the participation in the Valorization Committee and drafting of blog posts.
• Represents and promotes the General Public Archives internally and externally (through presentations, briefings etc.).
• Overviews the finding aids/research tools, in particular by publishing newly described items and reporting issues to the colleague responsible for the Archives Management System.
• Identifies series to be digitized in accordance with the prioritization grid: decides which collections are sent for digitization and in what order.
• Produces verification files (fichier de récolement) for the most complex series and supervises the production of simpler ones: in particular, ensures that files are named correctly
• Carries out regular follow-up with the digitization operators and participates in the technical committee.
• Helps organize the transport and return of series sent for digitization.
• Responds to queries from colleagues carrying out quality control.
• Coordinates reader requests by updating the table of series sent to digitization and indicating available alternative resources (microfilms, references digitized elsewhere, etc.).
• Identifies series to be processed by OCR/HTR technology to render digitized files machine‑readable and, depending on the types of documents, contributes to the drafting of annotation rules and the annotation itself.

Skills

French and English fluency

Teamwork in multicultural environment

Initiative and autonomy

Rigor and organizational skills

Effective communication with diverse |

Analytical and drafting skills

Client-service mindset

Intellectual curiosity

Education

University degree in archival science, history or related field

6–9 years professional experience managing archives

Knowledge of ISAD/G and RiC norms

Knowledge of archival management practices & preservation

Knowledge of archival management systems

Knowledge of ICRC history and humanitarian action

Knowledge of digital humanities (asset)

Job description

The International Committee of the Red Cross is seeking an Archivist General Public Archives to oversee and develop the General Public Archives, covering 1863-1975. The role supports research, provides guidance on collections, and acts as ambassador for archival holdings.

You will collaborate with librarians and archivists, manage access policies, contribute to digitization efforts, and help ensure long-term preservation and utilization of ICRC archival heritage.