Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) Graduate Trainee Programme

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).

Applications are invited for:

Title: Graduate Programme for Field Archaeologist and Heritage Specialist

Location: Benin City, Edo
Job type: Multi-year contract

Background

• MOWAA is a new regional centre for heritage management, archaeology, material science and contemporary creativity in West Africa. Much of our research investigations are centered in the heart of Benin City, the capital of the pre-colonial Benin Empire and one of the most important archaeological sites in West Africa.
• We employ modern best practices and cutting-edge technology, including geophysics, geomatics, drone photography, and Lidar, applying developer archaeology principles in blended research and preservation projects.
• This innovative approach records and safeguards remnants of past civilizations during construction processes -  a groundbreaking practice in West Africa.
• From our base in Benin City, we will explore the wider cultural landscapes of the West Africa region, investigating the relationships between environment and human populations over time and creating digital records of ancient monuments and sites.
• We work with leading global institutions. Our partners include the British Museum, Cambridge University, Oxford University, Wessex Archaeology, the German Archaeological Institute, and the National Commission of Museums and Monuments in Nigeria. Our joint initiatives are intended to expand academic fields, foster new connections and approaches to surviving heritage, and engage communities locally and globally.

About the Graduate Programme

• The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is thrilled to launch its Graduate Programme for Field Archaeologists and Heritage Specialists.
• This two-year immersive programme offers a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team, engage in cutting-edge research using advanced technologies, and receive professional development training in Nigeria and beyond.
• Successful applicants will participate in exciting hands-on excavations, gain valuable field and lab experience, receive mentorship from esteemed advisors and specialists, and contribute to prestigious publications and seminars alongside renowned experts.
• Join MOWAA and embark on a thrilling journey of cutting-edge research and training in a vibrant institution that champions the progress of scholarship and professional practice in West African Art and Archaeology. Be at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of this fascinating field.

Requirements
We are seeking candidates with the following skill sets and knowledge:

• Field Archaeology: Proficiency in modern stratigraphic excavation and documentation, along with report writing.
• Finds Management & Analysis: Experience in processing, cataloguing, ordering, and analyzing excavated finds to develop a coherent, chronological typology based on form, fabric, and stratigraphic context. Preference for candidates with experience handling pottery.
• Geomatics: Familiarity with using digital surveying equipment to document the location of archaeological features.
• GIS: Competence in managing digital spatial data using ArcGIS and other software.
• Computer Graphics: Ability to manipulate digitized drawings and other graphical data to create illustrations for reports and publications.
• Photography: Proficient in the systematic use of digital photography for recording archaeological investigations, including the use of drones and the storage and manipulation of imagery (e.g. photogrammetry for 3D digital models).

General Requirements:

• Applicants who wish to pursue a placement with MOWAA on the Graduate Programme must:
• Have Degree-level qualifications (Masters preferred but not essential) in archeology, or in a related discipline, such as geophysics, geology, physics or environmental science
• Be fluent in English, written and spoken
• Be able to be employed in Nigeria, including having a work permit and/or citizenship to an ECOWAS country.
• Be able to commit to a minimum of two years to the programme including extended periods working at MOWAA's selected sites
• Be able to travel within Nigeria and abroad, as required for research, training and presentations. An international passport and evidence of prior travel is not a requirement.

Application Closing Date
11th August, 2023.