Opportunities



The Geoffrey Bawa Trust is a non-profit, public trust that was established in 1982 with the objectives of furthering the fields of Architecture, the Fine Arts and Ecological and Environmental Studies. We offer an exciting, inclusive work environment for enthusiastic, organised and proactive individuals who are eager to take part in the Trust’s mission, responding to new ideas and initiatives with insight and intelligence.


The Geoffrey Bawa Trust seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued. As an employer we foster an inclusive and flexible work environment that promotes collaboration so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

At the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, we value all types of experience. For us, a successful candidate has many of the qualities listed in our job postings, and the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job. So if much, but not all, of a job posting describes you, then we welcome your application.





Youth Advisory Board


On the occasion of the garden’s 75th anniversary, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust explores the intertwining of art and ecology; particularly in the ways we understand nature and the natural, archives and rituals, and food and healing.

A Youth Advisory Board will be established to advise the Trust’s curatorial team on how they might engage and inspire young audiences. Young adults between the ages of 16–23 are invited to submit applications to join the Board.

This is a paid position where Board members will meet virtually between February 2023 and August 2024 to engage in conversation with the team and collaborate towards more inclusive programming. The meetings are facilitated and you don’t need any previous experience in the fields of art, architecture and/or ecology to apply.

What to expect:

– Paid sessions (up to six) between February 2023 and August 2024 (USD 150 in total)
– Working in collaboration with fellow Board members and Geoffrey Bawa Trust curatorial team
– Learning about the Trust’s mandates of art, architecture and ecology
– Asking hard questions, sharing your answers, having fun, getting creative
– Engaging with public events, working towards a small presentation, and giving feedback

Season 1 (May - August 2023)
At this initial engagement meeting, the Board will work with the team to set up a meeting calendar and scheduled input throughout the programme. The season will conclude with one more working/internal session.

Season 2 (September 2023 - April 2024)
The season will begin with a working/internal session. The second session will be organised as a town hall meeting, and an opportunity for the Youth Advisory Board and curatorial team to open up its process to external feedback in a forum open to a larger group of engaged participants.

Season 3 (May 2024 - August 2024)
The season will begin with a working/internal session. The second and final session will be a presentation of process and reflection on outcomes by members of the Youth Advisory Board.


How to apply

Please send in your CV and 300-500 word motivation letter about yourself, your interests and why you’d like to be a Board member to opportunities.gbt@gmail.com by 14 February 2023

If you have any questions about the position or application process, please fill out this form and we will do our best to answer them before the deadline on 14 February 2023!




Development Assistant



Under the direction of the Chief Curator, the Development Assistant will help the Geoffrey Bawa Trust pursue its objectives and activate them with programming. The Development Assistant will play an essential role in laying the groundwork for development growth in the organisation. They will work closely with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust’s curatorial team on strategy and direction to set fundraising goals and determine a work plan to achieve organisational goals. The Development Assistant will actively assist with managing the institution’s relationships with all funders and will establish effective fundraising systems and protocols to guide all stages of donor research, identification, and stewardship. The Development Assistant will collaborate on the planning of cultivation and fundraising events.

This is a full-time position. Work hours are flexible and work can be carried out remotely so long as the candidate is available in person at weekly meetings as well as at Trust events etc as required. Salary is commensurate with work experience. This position will remain open until filled.
 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Maintains in-depth knowledge of the organisation’s fundraising priorities
  • Works closely with the Chief Curator to establish short and long-term development strategies and annual fundraising campaigns
  • Develops and maintains donor lists, ensuring clarity and uniformity in acknowledgements; develops annual report together with the curatorial team
  • Establishes frameworks for impact assessment and obtains appropriate data for analysis
  • Maintains robust communication and relationship with donors
  • Overseas the maintenance of databases and mailing lists
  • Researches and pursues grant and sponsorship opportunities
  • Collaborates with Chief Curator and Assistant Curator in submitting grant applications
  • Manages and ensures timely completion of reports to donors and successful grant programmes
  • Assists Programmes Manager with sending and tracking invitations for events
  • Assists with fundraising appeals and acknowledgements
  • Manages collaborations with the Trust’s hospitality partners
  • Maintains relationships with the Trust’s external collaborators
  • Coordinates and plans cultivation and fundraising events
  • Any other tasks requested by the Chief Curator and to support the curatorial team and activities.

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Applicants must demonstrate keen interest in the fields of architecture, art, conservation, environmental and ecological studies, and public engagement. 
  • Suitable candidates for this position must have excellent writing and communication skills in English, and preferably in at least one other language, should possess exceptional networking abilities, people skills, communication skills and time management skills. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage challenges and opportunities in unconventional, creative, and mission-focused manner and a conscientious, responsible work ethic is necessary. 
  • Applicants must be eligible to work in Sri Lanka.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in media and communications, public relations or a related field OR 2 years of development experience in a small arts organisation or related nonprofit sector; equivalent education/experience considered.

Applications must include the following:

  • A one-page cover letter summarising your interest in the position and providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in this brief.
  • A résumé or CV
  • An unofficial transcript of your undergraduate or graduate record
  • Contact information for two references who can speak to your suitability to the role. Contact information should include Name, Title, Relationship to you and Email or Phone Number of Contact Person.

Applications should be emailed with subject line “Development Assistant” in a single PDF format (file size less than 10 mb) to  programmes@gbtrust.net, addressed to Shanika Perera.



Registrar


Under the direction of the Programme Manager, the Registrar will provide administrative support to the curatorial team of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust. The registrar is responsible for supporting management of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust Curatorial collections and archives and ensuring that all policies and procedures are in compliance with international museum standards and national regulations and laws of Sri Lanka.

This is a full-time position. Work hours are flexible and can be carried out remotely at times so long as the candidate is available in person at weekly meetings, Trust events and as necessitated by the requirements of the role. Salary is commensurate with work experience. This position will remain open until filled.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Supports daily oversight and preservation of the Trust’s objects and archives
  • Assists with inventories of collections and reconciliation with artifact records and documents and tracks physical location of objects in onsite and offsite locations.
  • Supports the Trust’s Pest Management programme and environmental monitoring procedures
  • Participates in exhibition installation and dismantling.
  • Occasionally assists with routine security and safety inspections.
  • Assists in the care, handling, packing/unpacking and moving of collection objects. Assist with shipping and receipt of crates.
  • Organises and supervises customs clearance, loan documentation and couriering as needed.

Responsibilities beyond the Collection

  • Coordinates with the curatorial team in administrative and logistic support tasks.
  • Support the team organising and conducting training sessions, events and workshops, including booking venues and other logistics, preparing and maintaining attendance sheets, agendas and feedback forms, coordinating travel for participants and staff, preparing minutes of meetings and event reports when requested, etc.
  • Supports national and international collaborators and visitors.
  • Monitors a digital data backup system.
  • Ensures confidentiality of information.
  • Any other tasks requested by the Chief Curator and Programme Manager to support the curatorial team and activities.

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Applicants must demonstrate keen interest in the fields of architecture, art, conservation and public engagement.
  • Suitable candidates for this position must have excellent writing and communication skills in English, and preferably in at least one other language.
  • Should possess exceptional administrative skills, flexibility, the ability to learn quickly and take on tasks outside your skill set, be willing to do routine tasks, have good interpersonal skills, organisational skills and confidence working with people from diverse backgrounds. 
  • Should have strong computer skills in MS Office programs and Google Workspace. Museum Database usage experience preferred, if not training will be provided. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage challenges and opportunities in unconventional, creative, and mission-focused manner and a conscientious, responsible work ethic is necessary. 
  • Applicants must be eligible to work in Sri Lanka.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business studies, administration or a related field OR 2 years experience in office management, preferably in a small arts organisation or related nonprofit sector; equivalent education/experience considered.

Applications must include the following:

  • A one-page cover letter summarising your interest in the position and providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in this brief.
  • A résumé or CV
  • An unofficial transcript of your undergraduate or graduate record
  • Contact information for two references who can speak to your suitability to the role. Contact information should include Name, Title, Relationship to you and Email or Phone Number of Contact Person.

Applications should be emailed with subject line “Registrar” in a single PDF format (file size less than 10 mb) to  programmes@gbtrust.net, addressed to Shanika Perera.



Design and Communications Assistant


Under the direction of the Design and Communications Manager, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust (GBT) seeks a detail-oriented, organised and passionate visual communication designer to join our team as a Design and Communication Assistant. The Communications Assistant will assist the GBT team in maintaining the visual language of the organisation, with an emphasis on editorial approaches to institutional messaging, and visual and material documentation of ongoing programmes and exhibitions, and press and audience outreach. The Communications Assistant works closely with all GBT staff members, and will be reporting directly to the Design and Communications Manager.

This is a full-time position. Work hours are flexible and work can be carried out remotely so long as the candidate is available in person at weekly meetings as well as at Trust events etc as required. Salary is commensurate with work experience. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assists in the production of programme and institution ephemera (offline and online campaign designs, exhibition design, publications, signage, promotional material, merchandise design)
  • Assists in the conception and execution of a monthly schedule of digital and print communications material, including but not limited to: updating website content, designing newsletters, social media posts, press releases, and overall documentation of programmes
  • Implementing strong brand identity materials and guidelines for institutional use in accordance with the existing style guide
  • Contribute to the development of the online strategy for GBT platforms, including identifying opportunities for partnerships, digital campaigns, content shares and cross-promotion with partners to create rich and engaging campaigns
  • Assist with proposals and reports for programmes and presentation material
  • Process image requests for research, press and commercial purposes
  • Support the digitising and archiving efforts of the Geoffrey Bawa Art and Archival Collections
  • Document and photograph merchandise, collection objects or spaces for marketing campaigns
  • Work with print production suppliers and manage print projects
  • Manage and direct photographers and videographers for programme documentation
  • Collaborate with department managers to maintain schedules and budgets
  • Any other tasks requested by the Chief Curator and Design and Communications Manager to support the curatorial team and activities.

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field, ideally with 2–3 years of previous experience.
  • Applicants must have a background or expressed interest in the fields of architecture, art, the environment.
  • Suitable candidates for this position must have strong graphic design skills in typography, book/editorial design and branding, knowledge of website design, basic back-end coding and be able to work on multiple web platforms.
  • Applicants should possess prior experience with data and analytics for websites and social media and online platforms and experience and knowledge of print production process, different types of production and materials in order to liaise with external printers. 
  • Experience in writing or communication work with institutions, non-profits or small arts organisations (preferred but not required) and strong written and verbal communication skills are expected as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
  • The ideal candidate will be highly responsive and organised, and follow through on deadlines. They will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and the ability to multitask and take initiative when appropriate, and manage multiple timelines.
  • Technical skills required include the Adobe Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and AfterEffects, Google Workspace and Google Drive, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Applicants must be eligible to work in Sri Lanka.

Applications must include the following

  • A one-page cover letter summarising your interest in the position and providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in this brief.
  • A résumé or CV and portfolio (website link or PDF)
  • An unofficial transcript of your undergraduate or graduate record
  • Contact information for two references who can speak to your suitability to the role. Contact information should include Name, Title, Relationship to you and Email or Phone Number of Contact Person.

Applications should be emailed with the subject line “Design and Communications Assistant” in a single PDF format (file size less than 20 mb) addressed to Thilini Perera via media@gbtrust.net and be submitted by Sunday, 12 February 2023.



Volunteer Programme

Since launching  our Bawa 100 centenary programme, we have had a lot of interest from people who would like to volunteer at Lunuganga Trust. Volunteering is a great way to engage with your community, learn new skills, make friends and professional contacts, and engage more deeply with the legacy of an extraordinary architect and his collections. We accept volunteers aged 16 and over. Volunteers under 18 may be limited as to what volunteer opportunities are available to them. Volunteering is not equivalent to an internship or work experience. To find out more, or express interest, email opportunities.gbt@gmail.com

Ideal candidates should possess an appreciation for art, a genuine interest in engaging with the public, keen attention to detail, and a positive attitude. Geoffrey Bawa Trust volunteers are proactive, adaptable, and understand that reliability is key.

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