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Community Manager Colonial Contract Labor

For the research project Colonial Contract Laborers and Collective Action in the Dutch Empire, the International Institute for Social History (IISH, KNAW) is looking for a Community Manager for 12 hours for 2.5 years.

The project focuses on the collection of new event datasets on collective action and forms of resistance by indentured laborers working in Dutch colonies after the abolition of slavery. In line with the global labor history research agenda, it aims to complement current scholarly attention to the history of slavery with the study of the coercive labor regime of contract labor that became even more widespread after abolition.The goal is to gather new knowledge and to make visible the various ways in which Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian indentured laborers resisted the conditions of the appropriation of their labor power in the Dutch Empire.

This project builds on ongoing research into the history of workers' collective action around the world as part of the Hub Global Labor Conflicts data platform project at IISH. Embracing the idea of citizen science, we aim to actively involve descendants of former contract laborers or members of the different affected communities in guiding this project, including developing research questions, identifying sources, and collecting data. The project is embedded in a citizen science project of the Humanities Cluster of the KNAW. With this collaboration, the IISH, Meertens and the Huygens Institute aim to promote the democratization of historical research and cultural heritage projects.

What you will be doing

As a Community Manager, you will work closely with two researchers at the IISH, as well as with two similar teams at the partner institutions. Your responsibilities will include helping to build engagement with relevant communities, organizing community spaces and events, and helping to organize and communicate research.

What you will be contributing

  • We are looking for a candidate with a degree in the humanities or social sciences or a related field.

  • You have an interest in the history of collective labor action and colonialism. More importantly, you have contact with communities, organisations, activists and/or artists with connections to former Dutch colonies (Surinam, Caribbean, India or Indonesia) where contract laborers were recruited or employed.

  • You have good communication skills and enjoy adapting and translating research findings for a wider audience. Previous experience of project management, community management or citizen science projects would be ideal, but is not essential.

  • You are independent, a good communicator and enjoy working with others.

  • You are fluent in Dutch and English, and we value other relevant language skills

Please also contact us if you are enthusiastic and think that you have the necessary skills and interest in the topic, even if you do not fully fit the profile above!

What we are offering
An attractive, varied position for 1.5 days a week in a project where we are trying to bring academic research and community interests together in new ways. You will be based at the IISH (KNAW), where you will work in a highly motivated and enthusiastic research department that investigates the history of work, inequality and social and emancipatory movements. Within the project team, we will share ideas and divide the work by mutual agreement according to our expertise. There is plenty of room for autonomy. 

At the IISH you will also work closely with the Global Labor Conflicts Hub. You will also work with colleagues in the Humanities Cluster and be part of a dynamic and enthusiastic team.

For more information
For more information about the vacancy and the project, please contact: rosa.kosters@iisg.nl (+31620305533) or jens.aurich@iisg.nl (+4915776636346)

Application procedure
Are you interested in applying? If so, please send the following:

Interviews for this position will take place on April 15, 2025.

About the IISG
The International Institute of Social History (IISG-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. IISG is one of the most prestigious social history research institutes worldwide. It examines how work and labour relations have developed globally over time. To support its research, it collects archives and data from all over the world. The relationship between its research and its data and archive collections contributes substantially to the institute’s unique nature.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 3.378 and the maximum salary is 5.331 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.