14/11/2023
Jobsplus Permit No. 80/2023
Call for applications to perform duties as Executive (Makerspace and Business) at the Valletta Cultural Agency (VCA)
Nomenclatures denoting the male gender include also the female gender
1. The VCA is a Government entity tasked with sustaining and strengthening the capital city’s vibrant cultural life through the creation of an annual programme of creative events developed in collaboration with artists and other Public Cultural Organisations. A legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the VCA also upholds standards of excellence in the coordination and organisation of cultural events in the city, while encouraging access and participation by a diverse audience.
1.1. The Agency is seeking applications from suitable candidates to perform duties as Executive (Makerspace and Business) as cited below. This post is on a full-time basis and is subject to a probational period of twelve (12) months.
2. The Executive (Makerspace and Business) forms part of the Valletta Design Cluster within the Valletta Cultural Agency will be working under the supervision of the Head of the Valletta Design Cluster and the CEO.
The main duties of the Executive (Makerspace and Business) are:
• To support the Head of the VDC in the overall management, coordination, oversight and day-to-day running of the Makerspace at the VDC.
• To support the Head of the VDC in the implementation of the VDC’s Research and Innovation Strategy and, coordinate and execute a programme of initiatives focused on the use of the Makerspace resources, with a view to ensuring a coherent, effective and enriching experience to the users;
• To develop Standard Operating Procedures for the Makerspace at the VDC in collaboration with management and in consultation with the relevant expert advisors, with a view to providing clear guidance for management, users, and members, and with an emphasis on clear access and use guidelines, clear health and safety regulations, and clear communication of the same to all categories of users.
• To run the everyday operations within the Makerspace at the VDC in coordination with management and ensure cleaning, maintenance, repairs, supply of consumables, and the overall standards and state of operation of all equipment, tools and facilities at the Makerspace are kept in excellent condition.
• To ensure that access to the Makerspace at the VDC is provided on the basis of clear criteria linked to beginner, intermediate and advanced users’ status, in coordination with management.
• To assist management to develop and implement a programme of induction sessions for users and members interested in the Makerspace and ensure that such courses are running on a regular basis during the year.
• To supervise projects carried out in the Makerspace and assist users via mentoring in executing research projects including scheduling of machine-time and resources.
• To ensure that necessary resources are made available to users, management and other service providers when making use of the Makerspace in the provision of courses, mentorship sessions, workshops, study visits, and other activities and initiatives that would require the use of the Makerspace facilities at the VDC;
• To ensure that on all matters relating to the Makerspace an open channel of communication is maintained with the service providers engaged by the VDC to provide input on research and innovation, and to contribute to the relevant processes through strategic, technical and practical contributions, as required, particularly in the areas of digital fabrication, robotics, interactive design, materials, and technology-based innovation;
• To coordinate, and to serve as the main reference person within the VDC team, for all matters relating to the Makerspace, including coordination with the rest of the team with a view to assist in the fulfilment of the mission of the Valletta Design Cluster, which task shall include, among others, internal and stakeholder meetings, meetings with members, consultations, maintaining of databases and reference material linked to the Makerspace, its users and its operations, and other initiatives and events linked to the VDC’s user-centred programme.
• To coordinate the programming of the VDC with the management team, especially with the officers responsible for programming and community engagement, with a view to make the place accessible and safe for all.
• To assist in the implementation of a pedagogical and outreach programme focusing on the resources of the VDC, including in the promotion of such a programme with relevant target users, members and beneficiaries.
• To contribute to the overall VDC programming, outreach, on-site management and operations, by attending management meetings and contribute to research, outreach initiatives, projects (national and international), and collaboration with members, stakeholders and other partners to ensure the successful implementation of the same;
• Assist in the project’s community-building and networking efforts, on local, national and international levels, and support and develop links and relationships with the various stakeholders involved in the project.
• To be actively aware of all collaborations and interactions that the VDC shall be developing with various partners, and to propose and assist in the development of healthy and fruitful new and ongoing partnerships and collaborations, with an emphasis on the role of the Makerspace and the resources it provides;
• To represent the VDC on national and international fora and meetings and to contribute to such fora and meetings, under the guidance of the Head of the VDC;
• To plan and contribute towards the strategic priorities of the VDC, in terms of design promotion activity, education-related initiatives, start-up support, internationalisation efforts, and related support and collaboration initiatives with the Malta-based design community and practitioners.
• To assist the Head of the VDC in the monitoring, reporting, and related follow-up actions linked to the operations of the Makerspace, as well as to liaise with any relevant national and European entities in terms of project monitoring, reporting, and updates and other requested feedback;
• Undertaking research as assigned by the Head of VDC and providing appropriate recommendations.
• Carrying out any other duties as may be assigned by the CEO of the VCA or his/her representative.
3. The salary attached to the post of Executive (Makerspace and Business) shall be €27, 698 per annum at Grade 5 within the Public Cultural Organisations Grading and Salary Structure raising by an annual increment of €531 up to a maximum of €30,885 (in 2023).
The chosen candidate will be entitled to a Disturbance Allowance of maximum 15% per annum. Furthermore, a Performance Bonus up to a maximum of 10% per annum is included in the financial package.
4. Eligible applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Board to assess their suitability to carry out the duties mentioned above.
4.1. Master’s qualification at MQF Level 7 (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in a subject related to Design/ Technology/ Architecture/ Engineering, or a related comparable qualification, plus one (1) year relevant work experience.
or
Bachelor’s qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in a subject related to Design/ Technology/ Architecture/ Engineering, or a related comparable qualification, plus three (3) years relevant work experience.
4.2. Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates and/or testimonials, copies of which should be attached to the application or sent separately to the Head of HR Management at Valletta Cultural Agency, Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta or by email on hr@vca.gov.mt by not later than the closing date and time.
4.3. Original certificates and/or testimonials are to be invariably produced for verification at the interview.
5. Persons registered with the National Commission for Persons with a Disability (NCPD) may be given reasonable accommodation in terms of Section 7 of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Chapter 413 of the Laws of Malta), even if they do not satisfy in full the requirements for this post, provided they can carry out, in essence, the duties related to the post applied for.
5.1. Representations in terms of this clause should be attached to the application form and supported with relevant documents which must also include documentary evidence of registration with the NCPD. Reasoned justifications should be given to substantiate the lack of full eligibility requirements and why reasoned considerations are merited.
5.2. All correspondence is to be addressed to the receiving entity and copied to the NCPD.
6. Applications supported by the necessary documentation, which should include a motivation letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, and where applicable a Service and Leave Record Form (GP 47), are to reach the Head of HR Management, by hand or by post at Valletta Cultural Agency, Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta by not later than noon (Central European Time) of 15th December 2023. In the case of Public sector employees, these are to present their paid leave/unpaid leave/sick leave records for the last four (4) years, including any records of any disciplinary action that may have been taken (in the absence of such records it will be understood that no disciplinary action was ever taken). Scanned copies of the application and the relevant documentation sent electronically on hr@vca.gov.mt are acceptable.
6.1. Applications received will be acknowledged with a receipt.
7. The chosen officer will be required to sign an undertaking signifying his commitment to the assignment for which he is selected.
