Field Archaeologists at the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA)

The Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) is an independent non-profit organisation in Nigeria set up to drive research and execute high-value cultural, arts and heritage initiatives in West Africa. Our evolving research partners include major institutions such as the National Commission of Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the British Museum (BM), and the Deutsche Archaeological Institute (DAI).

EMOWAA’s dynamic research programme will initially focus on the historic core of pre-colonial Benin City, the capital of the Benin Empire and one of the most important archaeological sites in West Africa. Fieldwork began early 2022 with a series of targeted excavations and geospatial mapping of ancient earthwork structures. The next phase of work with the British Museum will begin in October 2022 ahead of the construction of its new heritage research and archive centre - the Pavilion.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Archaeologist

Location: Benin City, Edo (2 months of field work, remote posting for subsequent period)
Employment Type: 6 Month Contract
Reporting Line: Field Director & Senior Archaeological Adviser
Start Date: September 2022, 6-month fixed contract (subject to 3 month review)

Role Overview

• The Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), in partnership with the British Museum (BM) and the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), is carrying out excavations in October and November 2022 ahead of the construction of its new heritage research and archive centre – the ‘Pavilion’ - in Benin City.
• This is the second phase of fieldwork on the site, which falls within the historic core of the pre-colonial city, the capital of the Benin Empire and one of the most important archaeological sites in West Africa.
• We are looking for a number of field archaeologists to act as trench supervisors, assist with finds processing and other specialist technical tasks during the forthcoming Pavilion archaeological excavations in Benin City.
• They will work as part of a diverse project team of Nigerian and international archaeologists, undertaking field archaeological investigations in Benin City.
• The excavations will take place from late September through to early December 2022. The contracts will be for 6 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervision of excavation units under the direction of a field director working closely with a Nigerian and international team
• Ability to work in an organised way, within constrained time schedules and to set research and pre-construction archaeological objectives;
• Supervision of mixed teams of trained archaeologists and locally recruited non-archaeologist team members;
• Safe management of excavations in deeply stratified urban contexts, complying with health and safety and security standards and procedures on site at all times;
• Implementation of advanced recording techniques, including single context planning of stratified urban deposits;
• Management, organisation and documentation of finds in line with project standards and processes
• Supporting the writing up of excavation results as part of a collaborative team.

Experience & Qualifications

• An Undergraduate Degree in Archaeology
• Minimum of 2 years experience.
• Knowledge of the archaeology of Nigeria and, ideally, of the Kingdom of Benin
• Significant experience of field archaeology
• A good understanding of advanced field archaeological technique and recording strategies;
• Knowledge of current safe working practices in the context of archaeological excavation;
• Good spoken and written English;
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to work in collaboration and within a team
• A courteous and professional manner

Career Growth & Development

• EMOWAA has a strong culture of constant learning and invests in developing people. This post will be supported by global experts and institutions across EMOWAA’s wide network of partners and affiliates.
• By joining EMOWAA team, you’ll have an opportunity to shape a growing organization, work on groundbreaking initiatives and build a rewarding long-term career.
• We are building a permanent archaeological team at the EMOWAA Pavilion and you will have an opportunity to play a part in these development of this vision.

Compensation & Benefits
Competitive, subject to credentials

Application Closing Date
26th August, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send a 1-page Cover Letter and CV to: [email protected] and [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.