Overview

This is a chance to make a real difference on a vital priority for the Church of England at this key time, to influence at senior levels, and to lead on putting the Archbishops’ commitment into action. In this vital role you will be drive change in fulfilment of the gospel commitment to be a Church for all people and to work to eradicate racism at all levels of church life.

Post Introduction

The House of Bishops is setting up a Task Force to promote a zero-tolerance approach to racism and to establish an on-going body to bring about genuine cultural and structural transformation, and this group will work closely with the postholder, with new structures designed to maximise leverage for change and minimise bureaucracy.

The role has recently evolved, and the Adviser will have direct access to both Archbishops on a regular basis. The post is based within the Mission and Public Affairs Division, which gives the Adviser a strong collegiate base within the Church’s structures, and the postholder will be supported by a team working on a wide range of issues, representing the Church in the public arena and in Parliament. The postholder will work closely with the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns which is a forum for BAME/UKME voices within the church.

We’re keen to speak to people with a passion for driving inclusion, and a track record in making impactful change. You might come from a background in D+I in the commercial, public or charities sector. You need to bring commitment to the aims and values of the Church of England. If you think this might be for you do get in touch with our search partners Green Park.  All the information, including how to contact them, is here https://search.green-park.co.uk/cmeac/welcome/.

The post is based at Church House Westminster, with significant opportunities for remote working, and when appropriate there will be an expectation of significant national travel. We are very open to considering applications for job shares and other flexible options.

Closing date – 08:00am Wednesday 30th September 2020

In return we offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

Role Responsibility

The Role

Key Priorities

Church-facing

• Act as Secretary to the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, propose, plan and manage its work programmes, keep its members informed of relevant developments in church life and ensure that the Committee’s work is reported to the wider church.
• Support members of CMEAC, and ME members of Synod, the Archbishops’ Council and its Boards and Councils, in their roles.
• Work with the Boards and Councils to enable the voices and experience of minority ethnic members of the church to be represented and heard in every aspect of the national life of the church and in its decisions making processes.
• Work with Ministry Division and other partners to foster vocations to ministry among minority ethnic Anglicans.

World facing

• Work with other MPA staff to maintain the church’s engagement with public policy addressing the persistence of racism in society and maintain the church’s intelligence base on racist political parties and anti-racist initiatives.

Other responsibilities

     Church facing

• Liaise with, and support where possible, the diocesan link or MEAC officers and their network.
• Working with CMEAC members and others, monitor the central policies and processes of the Church of England and highlight their likely impact (where appropriate) on minority ethnic Anglicans.
• Help to establish good working relationships with staff of other denominations working on these issues, and build effective relationships with churches which have a high proportion of minority ethnic members.
• Speak, preach and lead events around the country in ways which further the objectives of CMEAC.

World facing

• Build relationships with public and voluntary bodies working to combat racism in society and help to bring a Christian perspective to this work.
• Work with other MPA policy officers to understand and influence areas of public policy which impact particularly on ethnic minority people in society.

The Ideal Candidate

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Good analytical skills and the ability to understand practice in the context of wider theological/theoretical frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong commitment to the church’s ministry and mission in the contemporary world.
• A strong commitment to advancing the role of minority ethnic people within the church and in wider society and to combating racism wherever it is found.
• The ability to engage confidently with people at many levels, including academics specialising in racial justice and related issues.

Knowledge/Experience:

• An understanding and empathy with the structure and culture of the Church of England
• Experience of working with minority ethnic people in the church and in wider society and awareness of particular challenges.
• Knowledge of good practice in combating racism and exclusion.

Education:

• Educated to a level that enables confident engagement with people at many levels, including academics specialising in racial justice and related issues.
• Some knowledge of relevant disciplines (such as theology, religious studies, mission studies, social science etc).

Personal Attributes:

• A self-starter who is also a collaborative team player.
• The ability to learn from others and enable them to learn from each other.
• Good IT literacy in general.

Circumstances:

• Willingness and ability to travel within the UK, sometimes including overnight trips.

Desirable

Education:

• A degree or qualification in an area of study relevant to the post (or equivalent).

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Direct experience of delivering and managing projects and programmes.
• Familiarity with anti-racism programmes in the churches and beyond.

Knowledge/Experience:

• A detailed understanding of Anglican structures of governance, authority and ministry.
• Experience of engaging with ethical issues in the public realm.
• Detailed knowledge of developments in racism awareness, equality and human rights etc.
• Experience of working for justice within an organisational context.
• Fluent use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and other IT programmes.

About Us

We in the National Church Institutions support the mission and ministries of the Church all over England. We work with parishes, dioceses (regional offices), schools, other ministries and our partners at a national and international level.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity

We follow these three values in everything we do, whether we are of Christian faith, another faith or no faith. To learn more about working for National Church Institutions and our benefits, please click here

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.

As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to ensuring that everyone, job applicants, customers and other people with whom we deal, are treated fairly and not subject to discrimination.  We will do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We continuously review our policies and processes to support our aim to create a workforce as diverse as the nation the Church of England serves.

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