Advisor on (International) Heritage Conservation

What will you be doing?

As an advisor on (international) heritage conservation, you will become part of the Dutch Intangible Heritage Knowledge Center, which is part of the Netherlands Open Air Museum. You will contribute to the International Heritage Cooperation program, which is part of the Netherlands’ International Cultural Policy. The program aims to foster a global heritage community where professionals can connect, learn from one another, and develop knowledge together. For this policy period (2021–2024), the Dutch Intangible Cultural Heritage Knowledge Center has chosen to focus on the shared intangible cultural heritage of heritage communities with a migration background in the Netherlands and of heritage communities in the countries of origin: Suriname, India, and Indonesia.

As an advisor on (international) heritage preservation, your role is to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among these heritage communities. In short: building bridges. You’re encouraged to be a trailblazer in this role. It’s a new position, and you’ll have complete freedom to shape it and advise your colleagues at the Dutch Intangible Heritage Knowledge Center—of which you are a part—on the best course of action.

You will also help develop strategies for supporting heritage communities in the focus countries mentioned above—and possibly in new countries added after 2024—in safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage. For example, you will establish a network of communities that practice the art of batik. Together with these communities, you will organize activities to exchange knowledge and experiences. In practice, this means, for example, that you first establish contact with a heritage community to discuss the practical approach. And another great aspect of the role is that you’ll help showcase the heritage by working with the communications officer to bring the project to the public’s attention and present it visually.

Not all international heritage communities are easy to find on Google. That’s why it’s important to build and maintain a strong international network. Perseverance and creativity are valuable qualities for this purpose. Feel free to venture off the beaten path. And you don’t need a Western perspective. In fact, it’s valuable and refreshing to look at heritage and culture without prejudice. It helps you understand the interests of other communities.

What do you bring with you from the past?

Although history plays an important role at the Dutch Open Air Museum, your past isn’t everything to us. Education and work experience? Those aren’t the deciding factors for us. What matters to us is what you bring to the table now and in the future. Here are a few things we’re looking for:

• A degree isn't that important. However, given the importance of the position, we are looking for someone with at least an associate's degree.
• You are a born bridge-builder; someone who connects easily and knows how to bring people and groups together.
• You have an open mind and enjoy personal growth.
• You’re creative and proactive. Do you see a way to do something better or more efficiently? If so, we’d really appreciate it if you’d share your ideas with us.
• You strive for good results. They give you positive energy.
• You are culturally sensitive, observant, and have a good sense of social dynamics.
• Planning and organizing come naturally to you.

Here's what you'll get from us

Working at the Open Air Museum is a job that lets you come home feeling satisfied, even though you’ll probably love being at work too. And our compensation package is nothing to sneeze at. Here’s what we have to offer:

• A 24-hour-per-week position. For now, this is a temporary position through the end of 2024. If things go well and there’s a possibility of extending the contract, we hope you’ll stay on.
• a gross monthly salary between €3,087 and €4,041 for a 36-hour workweek (scale 9 of the Museum Collective Bargaining Agreement);
• Of course, you are also entitled to an 8% vacation bonus and will receive a year-end bonus of 3.4%;
• 27 vacation days (194.4 hours) per year based on a 36-hour workweek;
• Your retirementiswell taken care of with a plan through PFZW;
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses if you use public transportation. If you travel by other means, you will receive €0.21 per kilometer, up to a maximum of 50 kilometers one way;

If you’ve been employed for at least one month, you can visit museums and parks that are members of the Club van Elf—such as Efteling, the Van Gogh Museum, or Madame Tussauds—with up to four other people (unlimited visits) for half price. But that’s not all: together with your (live-in) family members, you can visit our Open Air Museum for free as often as you like, and you also receive a 10% employee discount in the museum shop and restaurants. At Burgers’ Zoo, as an employee, you get free admission and a parking token.

Excited about this great job?

Are you up for the challenge of bringing this project to life while collaborating with passionate people from all kinds of cultures? If so, don’t wait too long—let us know you’re interested! To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by Friday, March 31, 2023. Who knows—we might soon be taking your first tour of our museum park together, and you’ll get to admire your new work environment.

For questions about the specifics of this position, please contact Nazreen Ghauharali, Coordinator of International Heritage Cooperation (n.ghauharali@immaterieelerfgoed.nl/06-57736821), or Saskia van Oostveen, Head of KIEN (s.vanoostveen@immaterieelerfgoed.nl/06-13676590).

The Dutch Open Air Museum endorses the Diversity & Inclusion Code and strives to embed it systematically throughout the organization. Since we create programs for everyone, we naturally want to see that diversity reflected in our team as well. We are convinced that people from different backgrounds can motivate and inspire one another. After all, we have more in common than we realize. 

If you become our new colleague, we will ask you to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).

This is the Dutch Open Air Museum as an employer

Whether you work in front of the scenes or behind the scenes, at the Dutch Open Air Museum you bring history to life. And do you know what the best part is? You get the chance to connect people with that history. Because when you learn from and about one another, you gain more insight into yourself and a better understanding of others. This is precisely what makes working here at one of the most extraordinary places in the Netherlands so special. A meaningful environment, full of valuable encounters, experiences, and connections. Do you want to be inspired by people, nature, and culture? Enrich your future with the past. Apply for a job at the Dutch Open Air Museum.