• Suffolk Archives, a Suffolk County Council Service

• Address: The Hold, Ipswich IP4 1LR – On-site working

• Salary: £24,413 (pro rata)

• Hours: 37 hours per week – Occasional evening and weekend working possible.

• Contract: Fixed term for 12 weeks (funding)

• Please note: This job is open to applicants aged 18-24.

At Suffolk County Council we are passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as the Beyond Labels Exhibition Assistant and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy. Reimagine the possibilities.

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We particularly welcome those with a lived experience of disability, including as a carer or support worker, as it would enhance the understanding of the material you will be working with.

Your role and responsibilities

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team and gain an insight into working within the heritage sector? Suffolk Archives require a 12-week Exhibition Assistant to support our Beyond Labels project, a major new community project that will shine a light on the lives, achievements, and challenges of people with disabilities in Suffolk, past and present. You will be involved in the development and delivery of an exhibition at The Hold in February 2026.

Thanks to National Lottery players, this role is a unique opportunity to work with a variety of communities and develop multiple skill sets to propel you into your chosen career. You will be supporting the Beyond Labels Project Officer and Exhibition and Interpretation Officer in preparing and installing the Beyond Labels exhibition. You will also gain experience in planning and delivering community led events, social media content and research in accordance with the activity plan. As an intern you will have plenty of support from the Audience Development Team and wider team such as Archivists and Archive Assistants.

You will need

We hope you’ll bring positivity and creativity to the project in showcasing the experiences of disabled people in Suffolk. You will be passionate about inclusive arts and heritage and committed to centring disabled voices within an innovative and accessible exhibition design. Open to learning new skills and just having a go. We hope that you develop meaningful relationships with stakeholders, colleagues and volunteers and become a valued team player.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

• Working as part of Suffolk Archives’ Audience Development Team you will be contributing to developing and delivering award winning public programming, engaging more people than ever in the stories of the places that they live, work and play. The team are driven, innovative and find new and interesting ways for the residents of Suffolk to engage in their local history.

• We have a strong sense of collaboration and partnership, especially within Suffolk’s communities, collecting and showcasing their histories, especially from underrepresented groups in our collections.

• This is a supportive team, which shares the load and promises that no two days will be the same.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Mandy Rawlins, Audience Development Manager (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 07910 962745 or emailing: mandy.rawlins@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Can you describe a time when you supported or helped deliver an event or exhibition? What was your role, and how did you contribute to its success?
2. Tell us about an experience where you worked as part of a team to achieve a shared goal. How did you ensure effective collaboration with colleagues or volunteers?
3. Share an example of how you have demonstrated a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in your work or studies. What impact did your actions have?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 9 November 2025.

Interview date: 17 November 2025.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.  #LI-Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).